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Rachael Keating

Men's Basketball Travels to South Dakota

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Leathernecks will play their final regular-season road games before hosting Omaha and Denver next weekend.

The Opponents | South Dakota State, South Dakota
When | Thursday (Feb. 17), 7 p.m. CT, Saturday (Feb. 19), 4 p.m. CT
Where | Brookings, S.D. and Vermillion, S.D.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Matchup history: Thursday's game marks the 36th time in program history that Western Illinois and South Dakota State, with the Jackrabbits holding more victories. These two teams faced one another earlier in the season at Western Hall, with the Leathernecks falling by double digits despite a 24-point, five-steal performance from Trenton Massner. Against South Dakota, Western is 9-17 all-time and also fell earlier this season, losing 72-75. Three Leathernecks scored 15 or more points, including Colton Sandage who finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Scouting the opponent: The Jackrabbits are currently 23-4 on the season and a perfect 14-0 against Summit League opponents, scoring a league-best 86.7 points per game while holding the top scoring margin (13.2). Baylor Scheierman, who earned First Team All-Summit League honors last season, has played every game this season and holds averages of 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists, and is someone Western Illinois will have to pay attention to. South Dakota is 15-10 and holds an 8-6 record in league play, most recently completing a weekend sweep at Omaha and Denver. The Coyotes boast the Summit League's third-best defense, allowing 70.8 points per game. Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Mason Archambault are leading the South Dakota offense, averaging a team-high 15.0 and 14.7 points per game, respectively, while both shooting over 80% from the foul line.

Players to watch: Luka Barisic has been a tremendously impactful player for Western Illinois in recent weeks, averaging 21.6 points and eight rebounds per game across his last five appearances. In that stretch, the Croatian big man is shooting 33-75 (44.0%) from the field, 16-36 (44.4%) from deep and 26-31 (83.9%) at the line. Barisic has scored 21 or more points in each of his last four contests, including a season-high 25 against Kansas City on Feb. 5. The Summit League's second-leading scorer at 16.4 points per game, Trenton Massner's excellence in his first season as a Leatherneck has continued as the regular season nears a conclusion. The Wapello, Iowa, native has scored in double figures in all but three games this season while making 44.6% of his attempts from the field. Massner also leads the team in assists (4.1), steals (1.8) and blocks (0.6), while sitting as the second-leading rebounder (6.0) and third-best shooter from deep (35.8%).

What's next: Western Illinois men's basketball will be in Macomb for the final weekend of regular-season action, hosting Omaha and Denver next weekend. 
 
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