North Dakota vs South Dakota Picks and Odds

• North Dakota Fighting Hawks and South Dakota Coyotes meet in a battle of winless Summit League rivals
• Coyotes have taken four of five from UND, but suffered a stunning first-round loss to the Fighting Hawks in the first round of last season’s Summit League Tournament
• We’ve got you covered with all the odds and trends ahead of the opening game of the Dakota Showcase tournament at Sanford Pentagon

Season-opening losing streaks will be on the line on Thursday, when the South Dakota Coyotes battle the North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the opening game of the Dakota Showcase as narrow 2.5-point favorites in the NCAA basketball odds. Losers in four of five to close out last season, the Coyotes have opened the current campaign with three straight defeats, capped by a 76-69 loss in Nebraska in their last outing on December 1.

The Fighting Hawks travel to Sioux Falls for Thursday’s tournament opener at Sanford Pentagon after fall to defeat in three road outings to start the season. Overall, North Dakota has lost six of its past seven games played away from home, with the lone victory during that stretch coming over South Dakota in last season’s Summit League Tournament.

North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs South Dakota Coyotes Odds

Odds from FanDuel on Dec.9, 2020.

Growing Pains, Secondary Scoring Emerge as Concerns

The Coyotes’ early-season struggles have come as no surprise. With a youthful roster that features just two seniors, growing pains had been expected. However, ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, and the cancellation of last week’s scheduled date with the UMKC Roos has done little to help this squad bond. South Dakota managed to keep things close last time out, after falling to defeat by wide double-digit margins to both Colorado and Drake at last month’s Little Apple Classic.

South Dakota’s Stanley Umude had 18 points in the game’s first 25 minutes tonight.

Then #Nebrasketball put Shamiel Stevenson on him.

Umude didn’t make a field goal for the final 13:56 and scored just 5 more points on FTs the rest of the way. pic.twitter.com/64NpMSO6HY

— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) December 2, 2020

With senior guard Stanley Umude leading the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds, the Coyotes paid out as 14-point underdogs in a 79-69 loss in Nebraska. Sophomore guard AJ Plitzuweit has also been steady, potting a team-high 24 points versus the Huskers. Efficiency and secondary scoring have been real problems for the Coyotes. While Umude and Plitzuweit shone against Nebraska, the team’s other three starters combined for just 10 points, while the bench contributed just 12 points. Overall, the team ranks 289th in the nation with a dismal .352 field-goal percentage, and have hit just 20% from beyond the arc.

Winning Streak vs UND Halted with Stunning Tournament Loss

In addition to going 1-6 SU in their past seven overall outings, the Coyotes have also regularly come up short at the sportsbooks, covering in just three of nine contests since early February. But South Dakota has enjoyed a steady track record against North Dakota since the Fighting Hawks joined the Summit League two years.

Update: UND is moving on to tomorrow's Semi Finals in the Summit League Tournament they beat USD 74-71. The Fighting Hawks close the game on a 14-2 run. They will play IPFW tomorrow.

— Greg Beesley (@GBeesleySDPB) March 9, 2020

The Coyotes welcomed North Dakota to the conference with four straight lopsided victories. However, USD was shocked to be bounced from the first round of last season’s Summit League Tournament with a 74-71 loss to the Fighting Hawks while pegged as 5.5-point favorites.

Fighting Hawks Open Season on Epic Road Trip

The Fighting Hawks have yet to enjoy victory through the first three dates of an early-season schedule that has them playing away from home in 11 of 13 contests. However, they have been far from outclassed. The squad exceeded expectations in last week’s 76-67 loss to Minnesota, covering as massive 22-point underdogs after dropping a heartbreaking 74-73 decision to Dixie State.

He's not a secret anymore! Congrats to Filip Rebraca (@FRebraca) on being named to the Preseason All-Summit League First Team! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/y9GI3X45zC

— North Dakota Men's Basketball (@UNDmbasketball) October 26, 2020

Like the Coyotes, UND features a youthful lineup that features just one senior. With leading scorer Marlon Stewart graduating, Serbian import Filip Rebraca has led the attack, averaging 17.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game to date. And guard Caleb Nero looks poised to breakout as a sophomore after draining 16 points in two of his first three outings.

UND Struggling to Maintain Leads

The Fighting Hawks have also started strong in their past two outings, powering to a 6-point lead over the Trailblazers at halftime, and briefly taking an 11-point first-half lead over Minnesota. However, keeping pace after recess has been a problem. UND squandered the 12-point lead they held with just two minutes left in their loss to Dixie State, and simply could not keep pace with the Gophers after trailing by just one at the break.

A historic moment for @Dixiestatebball is moments away. Their first Division I men's basketball game against @UNDmbasketball. The Fighting Hawks are helping the Trailblazers make history. Congrats to @DstateAd and all of the Dixie State athletic department!

— Brad James (@BradfatherSpeak) December 3, 2020

UND has demonstrated plenty of heart in the early going, showing promise under difficult circumstances. They match up well with the Coyotes, and may still enjoy some benefit from last season’s big upset win. But with the Coyotes playing Thursday’s contest less than an hour from home, they have to get the nod, it would should prove to be another low-scoring chapter in this budding rivalry.

Pick: Coyotes -2.5 (-110); UNDER 145.5 (-110)