SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota State men’s basketball program is again expected to contend for a Summit League title, while a pair of Jackrabbits were recognized, as a part of The Summit League Preseason Poll and All-League teams announced during the conference’s Media Day on Tuesday.
SDSU returns to the hardwood in 2024-25 after claiming both The Summit League’s regular season and tournament championships a season ago. The Jacks have claimed a combined 16 Summit League titles all of which have come in the previous 13 seasons.
The 2024-25 Summit League Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll saw South Dakota State slotted second among nine teams. The Jackrabbits received 12 first-place votes and 474 points. Kansas City was picked first with 17 first-place votes and 514 points.
Following those two were North Dakota State (384), St. Thomas (308), Oral Roberts (305), North Dakota (283), South Dakota (250), Omaha (159) and Denver (158). The voting panel included the League’s nine head coaches, sports information directors and select media members.
The Summit League Preseason All-League Teams saw two Jackrabbits named to the Second Team. Senior newcomer Oscar Cluff and sophomore Kalen Garry were chosen. Cluff spent last season at Washington State, an NCAA Tournament squad, and started 23 games a year ago for the Cougars. Garry competed in all 35 games as a redshirt freshman last year for the Jackrabbits ending the campaign by averaging 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds.
South Dakota State begins a new era in First Bank & Trust Arena with the team’s debut coming in an Oct. 30 exhibition against Black Hills State. The Jackrabbits officially open the 2024-25 campaign on Nov. 4 in the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls when they take on McNeese State as a part of the Field of 68 Showcase.