Under the Radar Game of the Day – Thursday, January 14: Fort Wayne at South Dakota State

Under the Radar Game of the Day: Fort Wayne at South Dakota State, 8:00 PM Eastern

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The UTR Game of the Day returns to the state of South Dakota tonight for an intriguing matchup between two of the Summit League’s best teams as the South Dakota State Jackrabbits host the IP-Fort Wayne Mastodons.  South Dakota State enters play tonight with a 13-4 overall record, 2-1 in conference and the league’s best RPI at 62.  Although the Jackrabbits have played at times this season like a team capable of getting at-large bid consideration, a few head-scratching losses, including one at UMKC back in November and a loss last time out at IUPUI, have left the Jackrabbits in a position where making the Big Dance may require the automatic bid.  With the conference tournament being played in Sioux Falls again this season, they will certainly have a great chance to win it.  However, taking a top seed in the tournament will be a huge help — and to do that they cannot afford very many more slip-ups.

Tonight, South Dakota States welcomes in the the IPFW Mastodons.  Fort Wayne is 14-4 overall and 3-0 in Summit League play, with an RPI of 82.  They won a thriller, 65-64, at Denver over the weekend.  A win tonight, over the team that has appeared to be the conference favorites, will certainly send a message that the Mastodons intend to contend for the regular season title and automatic bid this year.  Fort Wayne is led by Mo Evans and Max Landis.  Landis is a three-point specialist who sank an impressive 9 three-pointers in a home win over Austin Peay earlier this year.  If he comes anywhere close to playing that well tonight, the Mastodons will have a great chance to pick up the win.