BROOKINGS, S.D. – The South Dakota State men’s basketball program has finalized its 2024-25 schedule as the Jackrabbits look ahead to a challenging slate while making their debut in the newly-renovated First Bank & Trust Arena.
The Summit League previously announced its conference slate earlier this month. SDSU’s non-conference portion of its schedule features 15 games against a variety of opponents.
The Jackrabbits will get a test-run in their new home on Oct. 30 when they host Black Hills State in an exhibition. SDSU stays in-state for its season opener on Monday, Nov. 4, when the Jacks take on McNeese State at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls at 5 p.m. The matchup features NCAA Tournament participants and includes a Cowboy program that is expected to garner votes in preseason top-25 polls. The SDSU-McNeese State clash is is part of The Field of 68 Showcase that also consists of games at 11 a.m. (Charleston vs. Southern Illinois) and 2 p.m. (Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara). Tickets for the event are available on TicketMaster.
South Dakota State officially opens its First Bank & Trust Arena era on Friday, Nov. 8, as the Jackrabbits host a doubleheader with the women’s basketball team. The SDSU men will face Long Beach State which won the Big West Conference tournament championship a season ago and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Times for the games as part of the doubleheader are to be determined.
The meetings for SDSU versus Long Beach State and McNeese State will be the first against the two foes.
SDSU remains in-state on Thursday, Nov. 14, as the Jacks make their way to Rapid City for a neutral-site meeting against Northern Colorado. The former North Central Conference foes will square off in Summit Arena at The Monument. For more information about the event, visit the facility website themonument.live.
The Jackrabbits play their second and third games ever in First Bank & Trust Arena over the course of three days. Mount Marty pays a visit to Brookings for a third consecutive year and will face SDSU on Nov. 18. Southern Miss, who the Jackrabbits defeated 65-54 in Hattiesburg a season ago, will complete a return trip and will take on the Jacks in Brookings on Nov. 20.
The previously announced Cayman Islands Classic sees SDSU participate in three games during a three-day span. Two NCAA Tournament teams a year ago in the Jacks and Duquesne Dukes tip-off the opening round of the multi-team event at 12:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, Nov. 24. SDSU will play either Boise State or Hampton the next day, depending on result, then the Jackrabbits close the tournament out on Nov. 26. More information about the event is available at CaymanIslandsClassic.com.
Dakota Wesleyan makes the quick trip to Brookings for a second straight season as the Jackrabbits host the side from Mitchell on Dec. 2.
A pair of familiar adversaries are on SDSU’s Big Sky-Summit Challenge calendar. South Dakota State will have a nearly identical travel log as two years ago. The Jacks will play in Missoula at Montana on Dec. 4, followed by hosting Eastern Washington in Brookings Dec. 7.
The Jackrabbits’ next road trip has SDSU playing at Nevada on Dec. 11 and at Colorado on Dec. 13. SDSU is 2-2 all-time during its Division I era against the Wolfpack, including a 102-75 victory during the 2021-22 season in the Sanford Pentagon. The Jacks are 0-3 versus Colorado, but pushed the Buffaloes to two overtimes in their last meeting while falling 112-103 in December of 2017 in Boulder.
The final home non-conference game of the 2024-25 sees South Dakota State host Chadron State on Dec. 19. The Jackrabbits hosted the Eagles twice in the mid 2010s and hold a 2-0 record over the Division II member.
South Dakota State’s non-conference ledger concludes on Dec. 29 at Alabama. The Jackrabbits will travel to Tuscaloosa for the third time in the previous four seasons. The Crimson Tide are expected to be a top-10 team in preseason polls a season after advancing to the Final Four.
The New Year will bring The Summit League schedule which opens on Jan. 2 with South Dakota State hosting Denver.
Seat selection for basketball season tickets at First Bank & Trust Arena will take place Sept. 9-13. Single-event ticket sales will be announced at a later date. The department will host an Open House for First Bank & Trust Arena on Sept. 27. The public sneak peek will begin at 5 p.m. which includes tours of the facility. The Friday evening celebration concludes with a short program in the arena at 6:30 p.m.