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South Dakota State set to open basketball season at Kentucky
Associated Press
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/san...s/12122660.htm
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The South Dakota State men's basketball team may not know its entire schedule yet, but the Jackrabbits do know they'll be playing in one of college basketball's most historic arenas.
The Jacks travel to Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Nov. 13.
"Our players are excited about this," Jackrabbit coach Scott Nagy said. "When we told them about the opportunity we had, they were all for it."
With seven national championships in school history, Kentucky is a formidable opponent. The Wildcats finished 28-6 last season and were one game short of a Final Four berth. Michigan State defeated the Wildcats 94-88 in double overtime.
That kind of legacy makes Nagy hesitant. The coach isn't sure his team members will be completely prepared for what they'll find in Lexington.
"I don't know if they understand what it will be like walking in there with 24,000 fans," Nagy said.
The game is the season opener for both SDSU and Kentucky.
Last season, the Jackrabbits' first in Division I, the team finished 10-18. They faced high-profile opponents Marquette and Colorado, but no team with the history of Kentucky.
"Our basketball team will be a lot better next season. There's that intimidation factor that our kids have to get over," Nagy said.
SDSU sophomore forward Steve Holdren said he and his teammates will be ready to give Kentucky a game. "There is no fear in any of us," he said. "We are not scared to play anybody."
The game is part of the Guardians Classic, a 16-team tourney that takes place at various sites across the nation. Lipscomb (Tenn.) and Wofford (S.C.) will meet to play the winner of the SDSU-Kentucky game. According to the tournament's Web site, the final is set to be played in Kansas City, Mo., and will air on ESPN.
The Jackrabbits' full schedule is not yet released, but there are other nationally known opponents on the slate.
SDSU travels to Holdren's hometown of Champaign, Ill., to play Illinois, which was defeated in the national championship last season by North Carolina.
The Jackrabbits also will play Nebraska on Dec. 8 and Minnesota on Dec. 23 on the road. SDSU will host Sweet 16 qualifier Wisconsin-Milwaukee Dec. 6 at Frost Arena.
Nagy said games against nationally known opponents are what the team needs to grow into a solid Division I program. When recruiting players, it helps to be able to tell prospects they will have a chance to play against a team such as Kentucky.
"That is what kids want to hear when you are in their living rooms," the coach said.
Associated Press
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/san...s/12122660.htm
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The South Dakota State men's basketball team may not know its entire schedule yet, but the Jackrabbits do know they'll be playing in one of college basketball's most historic arenas.
The Jacks travel to Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Nov. 13.
"Our players are excited about this," Jackrabbit coach Scott Nagy said. "When we told them about the opportunity we had, they were all for it."
With seven national championships in school history, Kentucky is a formidable opponent. The Wildcats finished 28-6 last season and were one game short of a Final Four berth. Michigan State defeated the Wildcats 94-88 in double overtime.
That kind of legacy makes Nagy hesitant. The coach isn't sure his team members will be completely prepared for what they'll find in Lexington.
"I don't know if they understand what it will be like walking in there with 24,000 fans," Nagy said.
The game is the season opener for both SDSU and Kentucky.
Last season, the Jackrabbits' first in Division I, the team finished 10-18. They faced high-profile opponents Marquette and Colorado, but no team with the history of Kentucky.
"Our basketball team will be a lot better next season. There's that intimidation factor that our kids have to get over," Nagy said.
SDSU sophomore forward Steve Holdren said he and his teammates will be ready to give Kentucky a game. "There is no fear in any of us," he said. "We are not scared to play anybody."
The game is part of the Guardians Classic, a 16-team tourney that takes place at various sites across the nation. Lipscomb (Tenn.) and Wofford (S.C.) will meet to play the winner of the SDSU-Kentucky game. According to the tournament's Web site, the final is set to be played in Kansas City, Mo., and will air on ESPN.
The Jackrabbits' full schedule is not yet released, but there are other nationally known opponents on the slate.
SDSU travels to Holdren's hometown of Champaign, Ill., to play Illinois, which was defeated in the national championship last season by North Carolina.
The Jackrabbits also will play Nebraska on Dec. 8 and Minnesota on Dec. 23 on the road. SDSU will host Sweet 16 qualifier Wisconsin-Milwaukee Dec. 6 at Frost Arena.
Nagy said games against nationally known opponents are what the team needs to grow into a solid Division I program. When recruiting players, it helps to be able to tell prospects they will have a chance to play against a team such as Kentucky.
"That is what kids want to hear when you are in their living rooms," the coach said.
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