SDSU HEADS SOUTH TO FACE TOP-RANKED ARIZONA

Monday, December 29

Tucson, Ariz.

8 p.m.

South Dakota State University

Arizona

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A men's basketball player holds a basketball above his head to begin a shot towards the hoop

Jaden Jackson

Photo by: Andrew Pedersen

12/27/2025 2:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball

By: Andrew Pedersen

Game 15: South Dakota State at No. 1/2 Arizona
Date and Time	Monday, Dec. 29 - 8 p.m. CT
Location	Tucson, Ariz.
Site	McKale Center
TV/Stream	ESPN+
Audio	GoJacks.com
Live Stats	GoJacksLive.com
Tickets	ArizonaWildcats.com
South Dakota State	Game Notes \| Home Page
Arizona	Home Page

South Dakota State and Arizona meet in a non-conference finale for both squads on Monday. The Jackrabbits and Wildcats square off in the McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., at 8 p.m. CT.

The Jacks and Wildcats battle for the first time since the 2019-20 season. The first-ever meeting between the two sides came on Nov. 21 of that campaign in Tucson. SDSU held multiple 10-point leads over the then 14th-ranked Wildcats during the first half of the matchup, before taking a 32-29 lead into halftime. A 12-0 run pushed the hosts ahead, 46-39 with 14:28 remaining, and Arizona never trailed again in a 71-64 final score. Douglas Wilson scored an SDSU-high 15 points, while the Wildcats were led by Josh Green (15 points) and Nico Mannion (14 points).

SDSU is coming off an 88-87 defeat in Milwaukee to the Panthers in Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks. The contest between the Jackrabbits and Panthers featured eight tie scores and 10 lead changes. State held a 69-66 edge with 6:12 to play but Milwaukee followed with two consecutive 3-pointers. The Jacks were unable to overtake the Panthers again.

The Jacks were led by the trio of Kalen Garry, Jaden Jackson and Damon Wilkinson in Milwaukee as the three have played consistent of late. Garry over his last four games is averaging 17 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest. Jackson has scored in double digits in four of the last five games which included matching his career high of 23 points SDSU's last time out. Wilkinson has scored double digits in six straight games, including a career-high 18 versus the Panthers, all of which came in the second half.

Arizona enters Monday's matchup ranked first in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and second in the Coaches' Poll. It'll be the first time in program history SDSU will face a No. 1-ranked squad. The Jacks' previous highest ranked opponent was Gonzaga in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs entered March Madness that year ranked No. 2/4 in the respective national polls.

The Wildcats are 12-0 this season under fifth-year head coach Tommy Lloyd. Arizona has beaten five then-Top 25 ranked teams and topped fellow SDSU foes this season in NAU (84-49) and Denver (103-73).

COVERAGE INFORMATION
The game between the Jackrabbits and Wildcats will be streamed on ESPN+. Live stats are available on GoJacksLive.com. Every SDSU men's basketball game can be heard on the Jackrabbit Sports Network, at GoJacks.com.watch or on the Varsity App. To keep up with the Jackrabbits, follow along with the program on their social media accounts @GoJacksMBB or visit GoJacks.com.

-GoJacks.com-