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Rachael Keating

Leathernecks Host Pair of South Dakota Schools

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Coyotes and Jackrabbits will play in Western Hall this weekend.

The Opponents | South Dakota / South Dakota State
When | Thursday (Jan. 20), 6 p.m. / Saturday (Jan. 22), 2 p.m.
Where | Western Hall – Macomb, Ill.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Matchup history: Thursday's game marks the 26th time that Western Illinois and South Dakota have played, a matchup that dates back to Dec. 6, 1969, and the history includes three games played last season. Will Carius averaged 15 points per game in the three matchups last season. Against South Dakota State, the Leathernecks hold a 5-23 record all-time and were winless in two matchups last season.

Scouting the opponent: The Coyotes are currently 10-7 (3-3) and coming off a weekend sweep of Denver and Omaha, winning by a combined 44 points. The team has done quite well this season at limiting turnovers, currently sitting at an average of 10.9 per game which is second-lowest in the Summit League. Kruz Parrott-Hunt USD in scoring at 14.5 per game, and there are three Coyotes currently averaging 11+ points per game.
 
South Dakota State is 15-4 on the season and sitting atop the Summit League standings at 6-0 in league play. The Jackrabbits are also coming off a weekend sweep of the Pioneers and Mavericks, and will face St. Thomas on Thursday (Jan. 20) before playing in Macomb on Saturday. Noah Freidel is the team's leading scorer at 18 points per contest, and guard Baylor Scheierman is the top rebounder in the Summit League at 8.8 per game.

Players to watch: Trenton Massner earned Summit League Men's Basketball Player of the Week honors, the league announced on Monday (Jan. 17). Massner averaged 21 points, nine rebounds, 4.5 assists, one block and three steals per game while shooting 45% from the field and 75% from the line across two victories.

Monday's announcement marks the second time this season that Massner has won Player of the Week honors, and he also was recognized as the Summit League Male Athlete of the Month for December. The last time a Western Illinois men's basketball player won player of the week honors multiple times was the 2018-19 season, when Brandon Gilbeck won it twice, and the 2012-13 season was the last time three Player of the Week awards were given to Leathernecks in a single season.
 
Against North Dakota State on Saturday (Jan. 15), Luka Barisic set season-highs in multiple statistical categories. In 41 minutes of action, so-called "Croatian Sensation" played 41 minutes, scoring 28 points (3-6 from deep) and grabbing eight rebounds. Barisic is one of four Leathernecks currently averaging double-figures this season at 13.4 points per game.

What's next: Western Illinois men's basketball will be back in Western Hall next week to host St. Thomas. Tip-off against the Tommies is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 29).
 
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