South Dakota
Familiarity abounds for Iowa State, South Dakota State basketball, who will meet in NCAA Tournament
Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger talks about facing his former team
Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger talks about facing his former team in the NCAA Tournament
AMES – Selection Sunday usually sends coaches scrambling.
There’s a mad dash to collect as much information as possible to face an unfamiliar team on short notice in the NCAA Tournament.
That’s not really the case for Iowa State and South Dakota State this season.
The East Region’s second-seeded Cyclones and the No. 15 Jackrabbits are well acquainted. They meet at 6:35 p.m. CT Thursday in Omaha (TruTV).
More: Iowa State’s March Madness bracket opponent is South Dakota St. to open 2024 NCAA Tournament
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger was South Dakota State’s head coach from 2016-19. Eric Henderson, then an Otzelberger assistant, took over as the Jackrabbits’ coach following Otzelberger’s departure.
That’s just the start, though.
Henderson is a former Cyclone staffer under Greg McDermott while Jackrabbit assistant Bryan Peterson is a former Cyclone who played for McDermott. Current Jackrabbit staffers Tyler Glidden (a former Iowa State manager and graduate assistant) and Rob Klinkefus both worked for Otzelberger.
“Across the board, from the trainer to the strength coach,” Otzelberger said, “I know all those guys and worked with them.
“They’re friends and we’ll continue to be friends, and on Thursday I’m sure we’ll both aim to do the best we can to come out with a win.”
More: How a small detail makes a big impression for Iowa State basketball
Otzelberger went 70-33 while going to two NCAA Tournaments in his three seasons in Brookings. Henderson has gone 109-47 over five seasons with now two NCAA Tournaments on his resume.
“Coach Henderson does a great job,” Otzelberger said. “They won the league outright, won the tournament. To do that you’ve got have a really good group. I’ve watched them a fair amount through the season because of my relationship with coach Henderson and their coaching staff from my time there.
“Really good team.”
Travis Hines covers Iowa State University sports for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune. Contact him at thines@amestrib.com or (515) 284-8000. Follow him at @TravisHines21.
The 2026 SDHSAA State Softball Championships concluded Saturday from Sioux Falls and Aberdeen. Congrats to Dakota Valley (A), Castlewood (B) and Sioux Falls Jefferson (AA) on taking home state championships.
Saturday Scores
Class AA
7/8th Place
Sioux Falls Lincoln 10, Bishop O’Gorman 8
5/6th Place
Brandon Valley 4, Rapid City Stevens 2
3/4th Place
Harrisburg 10, Sioux Falls Roosevelt 4
Championship
Sioux Falls Jefferson 11, Sioux Falls Washington 0
Class A
7/8th Place
Lennox 11, Madison 7
5/6th Place
Sioux Valley 9, Beresford 5
3/4th Place
West Central 11, Tri-Valley 1
Championship
Dakota Valley 9, Elk Point-Jefferson 6
Class B
7/8th Place
Avon 13, Florence/Henry 3
5/6th Place
Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 9, Redfield 3
3/4th Place
Gayville-Volin 7, Hanson 0
Championship
Castlewood 9, McCook Central/Montrose 2
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Sioux Falls police are investigating after two motorcycles collided on Friday night in the western part of the city, leaving both riders dead.
According to Sgt. Jason Montgomery, at around 9:20 p.m., crews responded to North Kiwanis Avenue and West Russell Street.
There, it was discovered that two motorcyclists traveling west on Russell collided with each other just before the bridge.
Both bikes struck a metal guard rail on the south side of the road, throwing both riders from their motorcycles.
One of the riders was pronounced dead on the scene, and the second rider was later declared dead at a nearby hospital.
The names of those involved have not been released. Any additional information will be shared at Monday’s police briefing.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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