Doane vs South Dakota prediction: South Dakota's rebuilt Coyotes look to fix their defense against Doane
After two close home losses to Division I opponents, a South Dakota roster that returns little of last season's minutes hosts Doane on Kids Day with its perimeter defense under scrutiny.
- South Dakota plays fast, and it scored 95 in a rout of Mount Marty to open the season.
- Watch the Coyotes' perimeter defense: opponents are hitting 46.7% from three, 360th nationally.
- No spread or total is posted yet. South Dakota is 0-2 against the spread this season.
A new team still finding itself
South Dakota is 1-2, and both losses came on its own floor by a combined 10 points: 102-94 to Northern Kentucky and 85-87 to Cal State Fullerton. Those games show what the Coyotes do well. They score at a high pace and get to the line. They also show what keeps going wrong. Opponents are shooting 46.7% from three, which ranks 360th of 364 Division I teams. In the Northern Kentucky loss, South Dakota also committed 15 turnovers. Afterward, Eric Peterson said his coaches want to make adjustments, and eight days off before this game gives them time to do it.
Whether this game counts in the standings is unsettled. Whether this game counts in the standings is unsettled: ESPN files it under South Dakota's regular season, while Doane's own account has referred to an exhibition at South Dakota. Tip is 3:30 p.m. Central.
Last season tells little
Players back from last season's 16-16 team account for just 21.4% of its minutes. Last season's biggest departures include Isaac Bruns, now at USC, and Cameron Fens, now at North Carolina. That makes last season's team numbers a weak guide. The returner who matters most is Vince Buzelis. He averaged 7.1 points last season and is scoring 20.0 a game now on 73.1% shooting. Jahni Summers, a transfer from Sacramento State, scored 24 against Northern Kentucky.
How the Coyotes win this one
The style is clear even in three games. South Dakota plays at 78.5 possessions per 40 minutes, 33rd fastest in Division I. Its free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt) is 56.6%, which ranks 21st. The Coyotes also clean the defensive glass, grabbing 81.6% of opponents' misses, 18th nationally. That formula worked in the 95-57 Mount Marty rout. The question is whether the three-point defense tightens before Summit League play.
Key players
- Vince Buzelis (South Dakota): The top returner is averaging 20.0 points on 73.1% shooting, and his 20 against Northern Kentucky was a career high.
- Jahni Summers (South Dakota): He carries a team-high 27.3% usage rate and is shooting 36.4% from three.
- Kajus Kublickas (South Dakota): He averages 11.7 points and 3.0 assists, and his bucket against Northern Kentucky sparked a late 10-2 run.
- Stef van Bussel (South Dakota): He is shooting 76.5% from the field but just 54.5% at the line.
Numbers that matter
| Opponent 3-point % | 46.7% | This ranks 360th of 364 teams and is the clearest flaw in South Dakota's 1-2 start. |
|---|---|---|
| Returning minutes | 21.4% | So little of last season's roster is back that last season's team numbers mean little. |
| Free throw rate | 56.6% | It ranks 21st nationally, so the Coyotes live at the line. |
| Pace | 78.5 | South Dakota's 33rd-ranked tempo points to a lot of possessions. |
Doane vs South Dakota: quick answers
When is Doane vs South Dakota?
Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 4:30 PM ET.