South Dakota State University’s (SDSU) women’s basketball team has achieved a historic seeding in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Jackrabbits have booked a spot as a No. 11 seed, the first in program history, as they gear up to face the No. 6 seed Washington Huskies. This highly anticipated match will take place in Fort Worth, Texas, marking yet another illustrious chapter in the university’s commendable journey in college basketball.
Over the past 18 years, SDSU has been a dominant force, making 14 appearances in the prestigious NCAA Tournament. Aaron Johnston, the head coach, expressed satisfaction with their seeding while voicing a heartfelt desire to compete closer to their home fans in South Dakota. “I thought we’d probably be in that 10, maybe 11 line. So, at that point, you just kind of take what you can get,” Johnston remarked. “We’re hoping one of these years we can get this closer to home. I think everybody would like that. I don’t even think we’d care what our seed would be at that point if we could just be… A nice little bus ride away would be kind of nice.”
The Jackrabbits have had a remarkable season, finishing with a 27-6 record. However, their journey was not free from setbacks as they experienced a rare loss that snapped their 67-game Summit League regular-season win streak. The setback came at the hands of North Dakota State on January 17 in Brookings. However, this resilient team, led by senior center Brooklyn Meyer, used these challenges as stepping stones, coming back to avenge their losses against both North Dakota State and their arch-rivals, the University of South Dakota (USD).
Meyer, reflecting on the team’s growth from these losses, said, “We had a few talks with the team in the locker room about just how we were going to move forward, and losing a couple games isn’t the end of the world. We had a lot of season left at that point and a lot of room to grow.”
Meanwhile, in Washington, the Huskies, led by Coach Tina Langley, have crafted a formidable record of 21-10, finishing eighth in the Big Ten with a 10-8 conference tally. The team’s dynamism comes through particularly with the performance of junior guard Sayvia Sellers, who averages 18.5 points per game. Additional support is rendered by sophomore Avery Howell and senior Elle Landine, both scoring in double figures.
Aaron Johnston leading the Jacks to new heights.
SDSU’s strategic approach this season included facing powerhouse teams like Texas, North Carolina, and Duke, which, despite defeats, prepared them for the rigorous competitive landscape of the NCAA Tournament. Meyer articulates the sentiment, “I think it really helps to play those really good teams in the non-conference. It just gets you exposed to that and used to playing against bigger, stronger athletes.”
The upcoming clash against Washington has received much attention, not only for its competitive premise but also due to its potential implications for South Dakota’s representation on the national stage. Junior guard Sayvia Sellers pointed out several key strategies that have been pivotal in Washington’s game plan this season, focusing on team dynamics and precision in play.
Brooklyn Meyer shooting in a crucial game at First Bank & Trust Arena, Brookings.
The match is set to tip-off at 1:30 p.m. and will be available for viewing on ESPN News and the ESPN app. Fans and supporters in South Dakota will be eagerly cheering on the Jackrabbits, either from home or as part of the robust travel fans they’ve been known to rally.
On the possibility of advancing, SDSU could face either the No. 3 seed Texas Christian University (TCU) or the No. 14 seed UC San Diego in the next round. For the Jackrabbits, an advancement would serve as another testimonial of their grit and the fruition of the hard work vested by the players and coaching staff.
This event not only sheds light on the prowess of the Jackrabbits but also enhances the narrative of South Dakota on a national platform, showcasing the talents and resilience that emanate from the state’s dedicated student-athletes and universities. The support from the local community is visible and significant, highlighting the integral role sports play in South Dakota’s culture and identity.
As the Jackrabbits prepare to take on the Huskies, they embody the spirit of South Dakota—characterized by determination, resilience, and a quest for excellence. With the community’s strong backing and their relentless spirit, SDSU looks optimistically towards advancing deeper into the tournament, opening another prolific chapter in their sporting legacy.
For continued updates on SDSU’s campaign in the NCAA Tournament, explore more on their official website and join the community discussions on social media platforms in support of the team.