The Alabama Crimson Tide is back in action after the Christmas holiday and welcomes in the South Dakota State Jackrabbits for its last nonconference game before the gauntlet of SEC play begins. Read more for a full Alabama vs South Dakota State prediction and preview.
Alabama basketball is coming off its best defensive performance of the season in its last time out versus Kent State in an 81-54 win. The Tide is welcome in the Jackrabbits before it jumps into 2025 and into SEC play, and the hopes are that it will trend in the right direction. This is the fourth meeting between the two programs, with Alabama 3-0 and won its last matchup 78-65 in 2022.
Game Information:
Teams: Alabama (10-2) and South Dakota State (9-5)
Tip-Off: 2 p.m. CST
Where to Watch: SEC Network+
How to Listen: Tide 100.9
Latest on South Dakota State basketball:
South Dakota State has gotten off to another good start to the season under head coach Eric Henderson, who is in his sixth season at the helm.
So far this season, South Dakota State has started 9-5 in the nonconference slate, with its biggest win so far on a neutral floor on the coming opening night of the college hoops season against a familiar opponent for the Tide in McNeese State, 80-73. In its last time out, the Jackrabbits defeated Chadron State in an 87-72 win where two guys had 16 points in Kalen Garry and Joe Sayler.
So far this season, Oscar Cluff is the “do it all guy” for the Jackrabbits, leading the team in points at 16.6 PPG, rebounds averaging 10.8 RPG, which is a double-double per game, and in the assists column with 2.7 APG.
Per KenPom, the Jackrabbits are ranked 125th by offensive efficiency numbers and just outside the top 130 at 136th in defensive efficiency. The team is the second-highest-ranked team in its conference behind North Dakota State. The team averages around 77.6 PPG and shoots 33.7% from the three-point line.
Last year, the Jackrabbits were 22-13 (12-4 in conference play), winning the Summit League regular season and tournament title and losing to Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament.
Latest on Alabama basketball:
Alabama is coming off a game where turnovers continue to be a big problem that needs fixing fast. The team had 19 turnovers. Mark Sears had 16 points on 9 shots. The Tide struggled from behind the three, but Aden Holloway hit three from behind the arc to lead the team.
Alabama continues to play a deep lineup, with all 11 active scholarship guys continuing to get minutes and scoring in its last game against Kent State. Coach Nate Oats will continue to tinker with the lineup to find the best 9-10 guys who could be any of the 11 on any given night and who will provide the most effort on both sides of the floor.
Sears continues to lead the team in scoring and has had a big month of December, averaging 21.4 on the four games so far, and is up to 17.8 PPG on the season thus far. Grant Nelson continues to be a force around the glass in the rebounding department and leads the team in averaging 8.7 RPG. Sears leads the team in assists at 3.9 APG, whereas the team averages 16.8 APG.
Per KenPom, Alabama is in the top 10 in offensive efficiency at 7 and trending upward defensively, with an efficiency ranking of 42, which is up 15 spots from the last game. Alabama is averaging 88.7 PPG while shooting 31.2% from three.
Alabama vs South Dakota State prediction: Crimson Tide by 24
Alabama and South Dakota State love to get up and down the floor, so this should be a high-scoring game. Look for Alabama to get back on track offensively in a 95-71 type of game.