After a daunting stretch to start the season, Kansas will certainly be glad to welcome South Dakota into Allen Fieldhouse tonight.
No. 1 KU (9-0) has outscored its opponents by a 9.6 margin through the early part of the season, which ranks 83rd in the nation. The Jayhawks have trailed by at least five points in seven of their nine victories as well.
That could all change when Kansas plays host to South Dakota at 7 p.m. tonight in Allen Fieldhouse. The Coyotes, who are ranked 169th on KenPom.com, are the worst-rated team that the Jayhawks have faced through the first 10 outings.
“Our guys know we need to play better,” KU coach Bill Self said. “Our guys know we need to get some offensive rhythm. I mean, they know that and everything.”
According to KenPom, Kansas has a 98 percent chance of winning and is projected to claim an 81-59 victory over South Dakota.
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**BREAKING DOWN SOUTH DAKOTA**
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**TOP PLAYER**
*No. 12 — Trey Burch-Manning | 6-6, 215, sr.*
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Burch-Manning paces three Coyotes in double-digit scoring at 13.5 points per game.
The senior also leads the team with 7.1 rebounds per game. In fact, Burch-Manning leads the Coyotes in points, rebounds, steals, 3-point field goal percentage and field goal percentage. Burch-Manning has scored less than 13 points in each of his last five outings, however.
Burch-Manning is an efficient shooter, according to KenPom’s metrics. He has a 59.4 percent true shooting percentage and a 58.1 effective field goal percentage. Burch-Manning figures to be South Dakota’s most lethal weapon on the offensive end tonight.
**SUPPORTING CAST**
*No. 3 — Triston Simpson | 6-2, 190, jr.*
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Simpson is second on the team with an average of 12.3 points per game.
The junior from Lincoln, Nebraska is coming off his worst offensive showing of the year. Simpson scored four points on 1-of-6 shooting at Colorado State, and has posted less than 10 points in five of his previous seven contests.
Simpson will be on the floor for much of the night, as he has a played a team-high 391 minutes. Simpson has played 90 percent of the team’s minutes, which ranks 34th in the nation.
*No. 22 — Tyler Peterson | 6-4, 210, jr.*
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The third Coyote to average in double figures is Peterson, who is posting 12.1 points per game.
Peterson, a junior from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, has put together a pretty impressive run as of late. Peterson has scored in double figures in six consecutive games, combining for 80 points over that stretch. He has scored at least 10 points in all but three games, including a season-best 23 points against Northern Arizona.
Most of Peterson’s damage has come from the free throw line, where he is 30-for-34 with an 88.2 clip that ranks 70th in all of college basketball.
*No. 00 — Stanley Umude | 6-6, 210, so.*
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Umude has started in just three games, but he’s been a big factor recently for the Coyotes.
Last time out, Umude came off the bench for 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting to help South Dakota take down Colorado State 68-63 Sunday afternoon in Moby Arena. Umude has scored at least 15 points in three of his previous five contests.
When he’s on the floor, Umude has been a focal point of the offense. Umude is taking 25.4 percent of the team’s shots, and he is posting a 19.5 defensive rebounding percentage on the other end.
**ONE THING SOUTH DAKOTA DOES WELL**
South Dakota’s identity appears to be on the defensive end, as the team is ranked No. 28 in the nation allowing just 62.7 points per game. In nine of the Coyotes’ 11 games, the defense has held their opponents to 65 points or less.
**ONE AREA SOUTH DAKOTA STRUGGLES**
The Coyotes won’t block a ton of shots, and won’t be able to defend the paint as well against the Jayhawks. South Dakota’s blocking percentage of 6.0 ranks 300th in the nation, while the team’s average height is slightly below average.
**MEET THE COACH**
The Coyotes are coached by South Dakota alum Todd Lee, who is in his first season at USD and his ninth season overall with a 160-86 record.
**VEGAS SAYS…**
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Don’t look now, but I have picked the last two games correctly. That is what people in the business call a winning streak.
According to OddsShark, KU is a 22-point favorite as of Tuesday afternoon. This is a game that the Jayhawks should cruise, but I’m also not comfortable with giving up that many points with the way they have been playing. I think South Dakota’s defense will be good enough to cover.
**My prediction:** Kansas 77, South Dakota 63
Record against spread: 4-5
