Illinois Valley Times

After a long layoff, the Western Illinois men's basketball team hits the road in Summit League play for the first time this season, heading north to take on South Dakota State on Thursday and South Dakota on Saturday.

The Leathernecks were last in action on Dec. 19, thumping North Dakota State in the conference opener, 79-60 inside Western Hall. WIU had its scheduled home game Dec. 21 against North Dakota postponed due to poor travel conditions to Jan. 23.

With the layoff and holiday break behind them, the Leathernecks visit a pair of houses of horrors, heading to SDSU on Thursday and USD on Saturday. WIU has never won inside Frost Arena and last won at USD in January of 2019.
 
Who | Western Illinois (8-4, 1-0) at South Dakota State (5-8, 0-1)
When | 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 29
Where| Frost Arena, Brookings, South Dakota
Social media | Twitter; Facebook
Live | Radio; Live Stats ; Stream
 
Who | Western Illinois (8-4, 1-0) at South Dakota (5-8, 0-1)
When | 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31
Where| Sanford Coyote Sports Center, Vermillion, S.D.
Social media | Twitter; Facebook
Live| Radio; Live Stats; Stream
 
About the Leathernecks
Western Illinois has been hot, winning six straight games to improve to 8-4 on the season. The Leathernecks are 1-0 in Summit League play.

Trenton Massner and Alec Rosner lead the way, each averaging 16 points per game. Jesiah West adds 11.8 points per game while Quinlan Bennett contributes 10.3 and Vuk Stevanic chips in with 9.8.

West leads the way on the glass, adding 6.2 boards per game. Bennett adds 5.3 boards.

The Leathernecks score 77.8 points per game while allowing 71.2 WIU shoots 47.4 percent from the floor while allowing foes to make 44.1 percent. Western Illinois is shooting 33.1 from three while holding opponents to 29.8.
 
About the Jackrabbits
SDSU is coming off a 79-40 loss on the road to Oral Roberts last Monday. The Jacks had won two straight before opening league play with a loss.
Zeke Mayo leads the way for SDSU, scoring 13.6 points per game and grabbing 6.3 rebounds per contest, both team highs. William Kyle III adds 9.6 points per game while Charlie Easley adds 9.3.

SDSU is scoring 66.5 points per game while allowing foes to score 73.5. The Jacks shoot 41.7 from the field while opponents make 45.3 percent. SDSU makes 32.5 from three while opponents make 34.0.
 
History
South Dakota State has long been a thorn in the side of WIU, winning 31 of 36 games. The Jacks have won six straight in the series and never lost to Western Illinois inside Frost Arena. The last victory over SDSU for the Leathernecks in the series came in the first round of the Summit League Tournament in March of 2019.
 
About the Coyotes
South Dakota begins the week hosting St. Thomas at 7 p.m. on Thursday. The Coyotes have lost four straight, including a 62-45 defeat at Kansas City to open Summit League play last week.

USD 66.9 points per game while allowing 72.8. The Coyotes shoot 41.3 percent from the field while allowing opposing teams to make 44.7 percent of their shots. South Dakota is shooting 38.2 from three while opponents make 35.8 percent of their treys.

South Dakota has a balanced scoring attack with four plays averaging at least 10 points per game. A.J. Plitzuweit leads the way with 11.9 points per contest while Kruz Perrot-Hunt adds 11.3. Paul Bruns adds 10.8 while Tasos Kamateros scored 10.4. Damani Hayes leads the way on the glass, averaging 7.5 rebounds per game. Kamateros contributes 6.2.
 
History
South Dakota leads the all-time series, 18-9. The Coyotes have won six in a row vs. the Leathernecks. The last win for WIU vs. USD came at South Dakota in Jan. of 2019.
 
What's next
Western Illinois returns home next week, playing a pair of games inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks host Omaha on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. and take on Denver at 2 p.m. on Jan. 7. 

Original source can be found here