Omaha Stuns South Dakota State in 9-Point Upset Victory

In a shocking turn of events, Nebraska-Omaha pulled off a stunning 80-71 upset over South Dakota State at Baxter Arena, defying expectations and sending a statement to the college basketball world. The Mavericks, ranked 266 in the net rankings, took down the 178-ranked Jackrabbits, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with. This victory is all the more impressive considering the significant disparity in net rankings between the two teams, making it a major upset.

The game got off to a close start, with South Dakota State taking a narrow 34-32 lead into halftime. However, Nebraska-Omaha came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Jackrabbits 48-37 to secure the win. Paul Djobet was instrumental in the Mavericks' success, posting an impressive double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Tony Osburn and Grant Stubblefield also made significant contributions, scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively, with Stubblefield adding 5 assists to his tally.

On the other side of the court, Damon Wilkinson was unstoppable for South Dakota State, dropping 24 points in a valiant effort to keep his team ahead. Kalen Garry also had a strong outing, scoring 22 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, while Bubz Alvarez chipped in with 10 points and 6 rebounds. Despite their best efforts, however, the Jackrabbits were unable to overcome the Mavericks' second-half surge.

Notably, CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Omaha winning by a razor-thin margin of 0.1 points, and while the actual margin of victory was significantly larger, the prediction ultimately proved correct. The Mavericks' dominant performance in the second half was a key factor in their upset win, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this momentum going forward.

This upset victory has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Nebraska-Omaha, the win is a major boost to their resume, albeit a Quadrant 4 victory. While it may not be a marquee win, it demonstrates the Mavericks' ability to compete against teams above their ranking. On the other hand, the loss is a setback for South Dakota State, also a Quadrant 4 game for them. The Jackrabbits must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the tournament.

As it stands, this result will have a lasting impact on the tournament landscape. Nebraska-Omaha's upset win over South Dakota State serves as a reminder that anything can happen on any given night in college basketball. While the Mavericks still have work to do to bolster their tournament chances, this victory is a crucial step in the right direction. Conversely, South Dakota State must bounce back from this loss and string together some wins to get back on track. The Jackrabbits' tournament hopes are still alive, but they must be more consistent in their performance to make a serious push for a spot.