South Dakota State basketball faces Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum in the Milwaukee Hoops Showdown tonight, seeking to bounce back after losing to Wyoming 87-72 on Monday. The Jackrabbits (7-6) look to regroup in this non-conference matchup against the Panthers (4-6) at 4 p.m. CT in a doubleheader event that precedes a Wisconsin-Villanova matchup.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Game time: Friday, December 19 at 4 p.m. CT (5 p.m. EST) in Milwaukee
- SDSU enters at 7-6 after 87-72 loss to Wyoming on December 15
- Milwaukee (4-6) lost key starters Seth Hubbard and John Lovelace Jr. to season-ending injuries
- The teams last played in November 2016 when South Dakota State won 81-58 in Sioux Falls
South Dakota State Seeks Response in Milwaukee Hoops Showdown
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The Jackrabbits are looking to recalibrate after their Monday loss in Sioux Falls. Wyoming shot 53.6% from the field while SDSU was outrebounded 38-21, allowing their opponent to reach 87 points. Coach Bryan Petersen’s team remains competitive with a strong defense ranked in the top 100 nationally in scoring defense at 67.5 points allowed per game.
Despite the setback, South Dakota State leads the Summit League standings. The team’s roster features several emerging talents who have stepped up recently. Guard Kalen Garry brings Preseason All-Summit League credentials and has posted three consecutive season-high scoring efforts. Center Damon Wilkinson maintains an active five-game double-digit streak.
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Milwaukee’s injury crisis presents an interesting dynamic heading into tonight’s contest. The Panthers lost Seth Hubbard, their leading scorer at 16.6 points per game, to a season-ending injury on December 14. John Lovelace Jr. has been sidelined since before the season began.
Despite the injuries, Milwaukee was selected to finish first in the Under Armour Horizon League preseason poll and earned three preseason All-League selections. Guard Danilo Jovanovich leads the team with a 63.5% field-goal percentage, top five in the nation. The Panthers averaged 18.38 fastbreak points per game last season, best in the NCAA Division I.
South Dakota State and Milwaukee Team Comparison
| Category | South Dakota State | Milwaukee |
| Record | 7-6 overall | 4-6 overall |
| Points Per Game | 74.1 (266th nationally) | 78.4 ppg (ranked high nationally last season) |
| Team Defense | 67.5 ppg allowed (top 100 nationally) | Multiple starters injured; adjusting |
| Home/Road Split | 4-1 at home, 3-5 away/neutral | Preseason favorites in Horizon League |
| Key Players | Kalen Garry, Damon Wilkinson, Jaden Jackson | Danilo Jovanovich, Faizon Fields, Stevie Elam |
Bounce-Back Opportunity: What SDSU Must Execute
Rebounding discipline will be critical for the Jackrabbits after being out-boarded 38-21 against Wyoming. South Dakota State ranks in the top 100 nationally in rebound margin at 6.1, so controlling the boards against a Milwaukee team that finished 21st nationally in rebounds per game last season is essential.
Coach Petersen will need Bubz Alvarez and other bench contributors to step up. Alvarez has played over 21 minutes in each of the last four games, averaging 6.5 points on 48% shooting. Meanwhile, Trey Buchanan’s season-ending injury has forced SDSU to distribute playing time differently, putting emphasis on reserve players.
Can South Dakota State Find Consistency Before Summit League Play?
South Dakota State finished last season at 20-12 with nine returning players, setting high expectations under first-year head coach Bryan Petersen. The program boasts a strong recent history: between 2016 and 2024, the Jackrabbits posted a 129-60 record with four Summit League regular-season titles and two conference tournament championships.
Tonight’s matchup provides an opportunity to establish momentum before Summit League conference play begins. The team’s defense remains a strength, and with Garry in top form and Wilkinson producing consistently, SDSU has the pieces to compete. A victory tonight would showcase resilience after Monday’s disappointing loss and continue building chemistry as tournament season approaches.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.