SDSU, USD Men's Basketball Teams Set for State-U Rivalry

The two in-state rivals are separated by just half a game in the Summit League standings.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 11:47pm

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The South Dakota State University (SDSU) Jackrabbits and University of South Dakota (USD) Coyotes men's basketball teams are set to renew their long-standing rivalry this Saturday. The Coyotes currently sit in fifth place in the Summit League standings, while the Jackrabbits are just behind them in sixth place. The last time these two teams met, SDSU came away with a 94-91 victory in Vermillion.

Why it matters

This matchup between the two in-state rivals is always highly anticipated, with the teams and their fans taking great pride in the outcome. The game is expected to have a lively atmosphere, as SDSU's home games against USD are typically played in front of a packed house.

The details

The Coyotes are coming off an 82-75 overtime win against Kansas City, while the Jackrabbits are looking to bounce back from a 77-62 loss to St. Thomas at home. SDSU is currently on a 10-game winning streak against USD. Both head coaches, Bryan Peterson of SDSU and Eric Peterson of USD, emphasized the importance of the rivalry and the competitive nature of their teams.

  • The last time these two teams met was on February 16, 2025 in Vermillion, when SDSU won 94-91.
  • SDSU and USD will tip-off their latest matchup on Saturday, February 6, 2026 at 5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

The players

Bryan Peterson

The head coach of the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits men's basketball team.

Eric Peterson

The head coach of the University of South Dakota Coyotes men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“It's a fun experience for me. When we have them up here at our place, it's a full house. Our fans get really into the game. Any rivalry is really fun to play in but obviously this one means a little bit more. It'll be a really fun atmosphere here on Saturday and it's just really fun to be a part of.”

— Bryan Peterson, SDSU Head Coach

“There's not one game where we cash it in and have given up or folded. Everybody is here for a reason, you know, they want to win. They love USD. They're very prideful of our team.”

— Eric Peterson, USD Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of Saturday's game will gain an advantage in the Summit League standings as the regular season winds down.

The takeaway

The SDSU-USD men's basketball rivalry is a long-standing tradition in South Dakota, with both teams and their passionate fan bases taking great pride in the outcome. This matchup is always a highly anticipated event, with the game expected to have an electric atmosphere as the two in-state rivals battle for Summit League positioning.