The South Dakota Coyotes men’s basketball team faced a disappointing end to their season on March 3, 2024, after a 76-62 loss to the Omaha Mavericks in the quarterfinals of the Summit League tournament. The Coyotes, who earned the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, struggled to find their rhythm due to a series of injuries that severely impacted their roster.
The absence of starting point guard Uzziah Buntyn, who was sidelined with a lower-body injury, proved critical. Buntyn had played a pivotal role throughout the season, starting in 25 of 31 games and averaging 12.1 points per game, along with leading the team in assists and steals. Without him, the Coyotes were forced to adapt their playing style, ultimately affecting their performance on the court.
Despite a strong start to the season, the Coyotes faced significant challenges with injuries that sidelined eight players at various points. Head coach Eric Peterson acknowledged the toll this took on the team, stating, “I’ve never seen anything like this. Nobody’s faced the adversity that these guys have faced.” The loss of Buntyn was particularly disheartening, as Peterson noted that “losing Uzziah for this game was probably the final knockout blow for us.”
The game against Omaha highlighted the Coyotes’ struggles. USD shot just 31.2% from the field and missed nine free throws, making it difficult to compete effectively. Omaha capitalized on these mistakes, outscoring USD’s bench 40-14, a stark indicator of the depth and performance disparity between the two teams.
Omaha’s veterans, such as Ja’Sean Glover and Lance Waddles, led their team with 25 and 18 points, respectively. They demonstrated the experience and intensity needed to succeed in tournament play, pulling away decisively when USD briefly took a lead in the second half.
USD’s star center, Cameron Fens, also struggled against Omaha’s defensive strategies, finishing with only eight points on 3-for-11 shooting. The Coyotes were unable to exploit their opportunities from beyond the arc, further compounding their difficulties in the match.
As frustration mounted, a scuffle erupted between the two teams in the final seconds, leading to double technical fouls. This incident reflected the tension and disappointment felt by the Coyotes, who had hoped to build on their recent successes.
Looking ahead, Coach Peterson maintained a broader perspective on the season. “I was happy with the guys that we had in our program,” he remarked. “You win 19 games last year, and you expect to take another big jump in Year 4. That was the expectation, and we didn’t quite get there. But we had some really talented dudes out, and we’re going to keep recruiting those guys, bring them into our program, coaching like crazy, and see what happens.”
Despite the setback, the Coyotes’ season concluded with a record of 16-16. The challenges they faced, particularly with injuries, will likely influence their strategies as they prepare for the next season. The resilience shown by the team amid adversity offers a foundation for future growth and success in collegiate basketball.