South Dakota State vs North Dakota Prediction 1/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the North Dakota Fighting Hawks meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. North Dakota Fighting Hawks prediction.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits Recap

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits come into this game looking to add on to their 84-69 win over Omaha last time out to sit at 8-8 this season. After this game, South Dakota State will head home for a game against Denver.

Jackrabbits Snap Three-Game Losing Streak

Jaden Jackson leads South Dakota State in scoring with 12.8 PPG along with 4.1 RPG and 2.2 APG and Joe Sayler has 11.4 PPG with 3.1 RPG and 2.6 APG as well this season. Damon Wilkerson has 12.3 PPG with a team-high 6.1 RPG to lead South Dakota State in rebounding and Kalen Garry has 10.4 PPG with 5.2 RPG as well this season up to this point in the year. Matthew Mors has 6.9 PPG with 4.1 RPG. As a team, South Dakota State is averaging 75 PPG on 45.6% shooting from the field, 33.9% from three and 69% from the foul line this season.

North Dakota Fighting Hawks Recap

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks come into this game looking to add on to their 72-61 win over Oral Roberts last time out to sit at 7-10 this season. After this game, North Dakota will head on the road for a game against Omaha.

Fighting Hawks Win Back-To-Back Games

Greyson Uelmen leads the Fighting Hakws in scoring with 12.1 PPG with 2.8 RPG and 2.2 APG while Eli King has 10.8 PPG with 5.2 RPG and 2.4 SPG to lead the Fighting Hawks in rebounding and steals as the only other double-digit scorer for South Dakota State so far this season. Garrett Anderson has 9.2 PPG with 4.3 RPG while George Natsvlishvili has 8.9 PPG with 4.8 RPG and Marley Curtis has 8.4 PPG with 4.8 RPG as well this season. Anthony Smith III has a team-high 2.8 APG to lead North Dakota in assists so far this season. As a team, North Dakota is averaging 74.4 PPG on 42.6% shooting from the field, 31.3% from three and 68.2% from the foul line this season.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits @ North Dakota Fighting Hawks Betting Trends: January 3, 2026

Why the North Dakota Fighting Hawks will win

• North Dakota has won each of its last five home day games against Conference opponents.
• South Dakota State has lost four of its last five day games.
• South Dakota State has lost the first half in each of its last four road day games against Conference opponents.

Why the South Dakota State Jackrabbits will win

• South Dakota State has won 18 of its last 20 games against North Dakota.
• South Dakota State has won the first half in 14 of its last 17 games against North Dakota.

Total Points Facts

• Each of South Dakota State’s last five games have produced a total of 153+ points.
• Six of North Dakota’s last seven games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 154+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• North Dakota ranks 18th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (15.9).
• North Dakota ranks 31st among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (54.4).

South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. North Dakota Fighting Hawks Prediction

I’m on South Dakota State here. This is the time of year when South Dakota State normally turns it on and while Eric Henderson isn’t at South Dakota State anymore, I still think the winning pedigree of South Dakota State in Summit League play is afoot and I think South Dakota State gets it done here. The Fighting Hawks have played some tough teams, but I just think the Jackrabbits are the better team and get it done here. Give me South Dakota State here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: South Dakota State -7.5