Michigan vs South Dakota State: Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread Info, Predictions

The fourth-seeded Michigan Wolverines are in arguably the toughest region to traverse in the NCAA tournament this year. With a matchup against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the round of 64, the Wolverines will be challenged from the onset of the tournament.

The Jackrabbits (25-9) defeated North Dakota State in the Summit League championship last week, locking up their berth in the Big Dance in dominant fashion. Coming off a four-game win streak, South Dakota State will be poised to play the giant-killer role in the second round.

The Wolverines, led by sophomore point guard Trey Burke, boast one of the best backcourts in the nation, but some critical second-half losses in the imposing Big Ten have perhaps slowed their momentum entering the tournament.

Burke and South Dakota State’s Nate Wolters are two of the most exciting guards in college basketball this season. Both are Wooden Award finalists and both will set the tone at each end of the floor in this matchup.

Michigan is a heavy favorite to escape the second round unscathed, but as we’ve seen time and again this college basketball season, anything can happen between the first whistle and the last.

Let’s take a look at all the information you’ll need to pick a winner in this second-round matchup.

Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI

When: Thursday, March 21, at 7:15 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS

Streaming: March Madness Live (NCAA.com)

Betting Line: Michigan -11, over/under 138.5 (from BetOnline.com)

Michigan Injuries: Tim Hardaway, Jr.—knee, probable (per USA Today)

South Dakota State Injuries: None (per USA Today)

What’s at Stake?

Apart from the obvious implications of a second-round loss, both South Dakota State and Michigan have a lot to play for.

Michigan escaped a brutal Big Ten schedule with all seven regular-season losses coming against conference foes. The Wolverines started the regular season 16-0 with several quality wins, but losses to Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State raise some questions about their ability to hold up against some of the nation’s top talent.

With VCU, North Carolina and Kansas potentially on the horizon with a win over South Dakota State, Michigan will have an opportunity to quell some of those concerns and prove its inconsistency won’t be a factor in the NCAA tournament.

The Big Ten demolished itself in the regular season, but Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan State escaped in better tournament position than Michigan.

If the Wolverines are to face a potential rematch with any of those teams, they will have to get through a brutal South Region.

South Dakota State is a newcomer to the Big Dance. The Jackrabbits reached the national tournament last season for the first time in program history, falling to Baylor 68-60. With a year of tournament experience now in their pocket, the Jackrabbits are in position to build on last year’s appearance with a strong showing in this year’s action.

Some tournament teams seemingly come out of nowhere in their bid for glory on the national stage. South Dakota State doesn’t have the makings of a dangerous sleeper this year, but it does have a chance to gain added exposure and experience on which to build for future seasons.

Players to Watch

PG Trey Burke: Michigan

Averaging 19.2 points, 6.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game, Burke has done plenty to justify the hype this season. His ability to create both opportunities for his teammates and shots for himself put him among the list of elite-level players in college basketball.

Not only is the sophomore point guard electric with the ball in his hands, he’s also one of the most consistent players on any squad in the nation. Burke has posted double-digit points in every contest this season, eclipsing the 20-point barrier 13 times.

The Columbus native didn’t exactly come out of nowhere, but his sophomore campaign has been superior to nearly everything he did as a freshman last season. Averaging fewer turnovers, more points and assists and a higher shooting percentage from the field and behind the arc, Burke has taken his game to new heights this season.

With Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Glenn Robinson III flanking him in the backcourt, Burke won’t have to be Michigan’s primary scorer throughout the tournament, but he will assume a critical role on the defensive end of the floor against South Dakota State and Wolters.

PG Nate Wolters: South Dakota State

With 22.7 points, 5.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game this season, Wolters has established himself as one of the country’s most dangerous point guards. His 27-point performance against North Dakota State in the Summit League finals clinched the conference championship for the Jackrabbits, securing their bid in the Big Dance.

At 6’4”, Wolters has the size to be a mismatch problem for Burke and the Wolverines. He’s a better shooter than he is a slasher, and with a four-inch advantage over his counterpart, a little separation will mean a lot of points for Wolters from behind the arc on Thursday.

Wolters has put up bigger numbers this season, but he has less to work with at the offensive end than Michigan’s standout point guard. As Chris Mannix of NBC Sports points out, the pressure is on Wolters in this matchup:

South Dakota State’s roster features just one other player scoring more than 12 points per game (Jordan Dykstra, 12.5 PPG), and Wolters doesn’t have the running mates Burke has in Hardaway and Robinson.

For the Jackrabbits to stay alive in the tournament, they’ll need a massive performance from their best player.  

Prediction: Michigan 70, South Dakota State 64

The Wolverines are an 11-point favorite in this game for a reason. While I don’t believe the final score will be that lopsided, it’s hard to envision a scenario in which Michigan doesn’t advance past the Jackrabbits on Thursday.

Statistically, both teams have had very similar seasons. Both teams shoot well from behind the arc and marginally from the charity stripe. Rebounds, assists and turnovers per game are fairly even and just one point per game separates the two squads offensively.

However, those stats mean very little in the NCAA tournament.

South Dakota State’s RPI (62, per realtimerpi.com) and strength of schedule (189, per teamrankings.com) pale in comparison to Michigan’s marks. The Wolverines traversed a schedule filled with top-tier competition in the regular season. South Dakota State’s biggest win? A 70-65 win at New Mexico on the heels of a blowout loss at Belmont.

Michigan holds the advantage at nearly every position on the floor. Depth and consistent production from several key starters make the Wolverines a dangerous opponent to face for any team in the tournament.

Wolters will have a marquee game for the Jackrabbits, but it won’t be enough to upend Burke and his Wolverines. A second-round exit looks to be on the horizon for South Dakota State. 

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