Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Valparaiso on November 11, 2026 at 7 p.m.
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7 p.m.
Men's Basketball
vs Valparaiso
South Dakota State University Athletics
Wednesday, November 11
Brookings, S.D.
7 p.m.
South Dakota State University
vs
Valparaiso
Photo by: Ben Helland
11/10/2026 6:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
| Game 3: South Dakota State vs. Valparaiso | |
| Date and Time | Wednesday, Nov. 11 - 7 p.m. CT |
| Location | Brookings, S.D. |
| Site | First Bank & Trust Arena |
| Television/Stream | Midco Sports Two | Summit League Network |
| Audio | GoJacks.com |
| Live Stats | GoJacksLive.com |
| Tickets | GoJacks.com/Tickets |
| South Dakota State | Game Notes | Home Page |
| Valparaiso | Home Page |
South Dakota State hosts its first Division I opponent inside First Bank & Trust Arena this season on Wednesday when the Jackrabbits welcome Valparaiso to Brookings. The Jacks and Beacons are slated for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
Wednesday's matchup features two teams that claimed wins over Power Four opponents during the first week of the regular season. The Jackrabbits staved off a game-tying jumper to complete a 68-66 win at Kansas State last Tuesday. SDSU followed that effort with a home-opening 71-49 victory over Briar Cliff this past Friday. Valparaiso began the season with an 80-58 triumph against Western Illinois, then Friday went to Purdue and beat the Boilermakers 83-80 in double overtime.
South Dakota State has got out to a 2-0 start behind multiple individual standout performances. Davis Kern scored 24 points at K-State and was recognized Tuesday as The Summit League's Peak Performer of the Week. His 24-point output was the most in a game by a Jackrabbit in their debut since 2019 and most by an SDSU freshman in the program's Division I era. He also had eight rebounds in the contest.
Jon Mekonnen was SDSU's leading scorer last time out. After a 14-point performance at K-State, Mekonnen followed with a career-high 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting in Friday's victory. Kern added 10 points against the Chargers for SDSU, while Joe Sayler has had back-to-back 10-point showings for the Jackrabbits.
Valpo enters the meeting 2-0 following its victory at Purdue. Rakim Chaney scored a career-high 35 points, which included a corner 3-pointer that sent the game to a second overtime. Justus McNair hit the game-winning 3-pointer for the Beacons at the buzzer of double overtime as they defeated a Top 25 team in a true road game for the first time ever (previously 0-44). Valpo overcame a 15-point deficit against the Boilermakers. Chaney, who is averaging 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists, was named the Lou Henson Award National Player of the Week for his performance.
South Dakota State and Valparaiso enter Wednesday's contest ranked No. 18 and No. 19, respectively, in the latest CollegeInsider.com Men's Mid-Major Top 25 Rankings.
SDSU and Valparaiso meet for the fourth time. The Jacks beat the Beacons 61-50 in 2022 at a multi-team event. SDSU won the first-ever meeting 76-74 in Frost Arena in 1975, while Valpo won 83-72 at home the following year.
COVERAGE & PROMOTIONAL INFORMATION
South Dakota State's home opener against Valparaiso will be televised on Midco Sports Two. All of South Dakota State's home games, along with in-conference contests, stream on The Summit League Network powered by Midco Sports Plus. Live stats for the game 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.
Wednesday's game features a Veteran appreciation promotion. All active and veteran status military personnel may receive up to four complimentary tickets at the southeast entrance, while supplies last. The matchup also features a Feed The Students promotion.
-GoJacks.com-
Players Mentioned
Friday, March 06
Friday, March 06
Friday, March 06
Tuesday, March 03