South Dakota vs Nebraska Omaha Prediction 3/8/25 College Basketball Picks

The South Dakota Coyotes and the Omaha Mavericks meet Saturday in Summit League Tournament college basketball action from Denny Sanford Premier Center. Here’s a South Dakota vs Omaha prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best South Dakota vs Omaha pick. We will examine: 

The South Dakota Coyotes recent form and player performance

The Omaha Mavericks recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the South Dakota Coyotes

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Omaha Mavericks

Recent betting trends in games played between South Dakota and Omaha

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the South Dakota vs Omaha game

South Dakota Coyotes Betting Preview

The Coyotes had a rough run going in December and January, but outside of that they’ve been pretty solid overall this year. South Dakota opened on a 9-4 stretch, then took losses to Utah Tech, Santa Clara and Kansas City. A 3-3 run came next with wins over Denver, Oral Roberts and North Dakota among losses to St. Thomas MN, North Dakota State and South Dakota State. The Coyotes would beat Omaha, Denver, Oral Roberts and Kansas City before losses to South Dakota State, Omaha and North Dakota State in the next four. Since then it’s been consecutive wins over North Dakota and North Dakota State for the Coyotes. That gives the team a 19-13 overall run through 32 games this year. 

In their Friday game versus North Dakota State, South Dakota was down 40-34 going into the second half. The Coyotes came back on a 51-44 run for the 85-84 win in the end. Chase Forte led the team on 28 points, and Isaac Bruns doubled with 21 points and 10 boards in the victory. 

Omaha Mavericks Betting Preview

Over on the Mavericks’ side, they didn’t start off the year very well but they’ve been much improved since mid-December. Omaha kicked things off on a rough 4-9 run through 13 games, then beat Cal Poly, Mount Marty, North Dakota, North Dakota State, Kansas City, South Dakota State, Denver, St. Thomas MN and Oral Roberts from there. After a 3-3 run that included wins over Denver, North Dakota and North Dakota State among losses to South Dakota, South Dakota State and St. Thomas MN, the Mavericks have won four straight. Those wins have come versus Kansas City (twice), South Dakota and Oral Roberts. That gives Omaha a 20-12 overall record across 32 games this season so far.

Matched up against Kansas City on Thursday, Omaha jumped out to a 40-26 edge at halftime. The Mavs were outscored 35-30 the rest of the way but still held on for the win 70-61 in the end. Topping the team scorers was Marquell Sutton with a double-double on 28 points, 11 boards and four steals. JJ White added 14 points with five rebounds and seven assists, while Isaac Ondekane chipped in with 10 points and three rebounds in 18 minutes of work. 

Why the Omaha Mavericks will win

• Omaha has won each of its last four games against the Summit League.
• South Dakota has lost six of its last eight night games at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.
• South Dakota has lost the first half in each of its last four Conference Tournament night games at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

Why the South Dakota Coyotes will win

• South Dakota has won eight of its last 10 night games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Omaha’s last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 152 or fewer points.
• Seven of South Dakota’s last eight Conference Tournament night games have produced a total of 155 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• South Dakota ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for turnover percentage this season (11.2%).
• South Dakota ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (85.5).

South Dakota vs Omaha Prediction 

I’ll lean toward Omaha here, but it’s very close. The Mavericks didn’t have much issue with a struggling UMKC team in their last outing—despite a slower second half. Omaha shot 46.3 percent from the field in that one with 37 rebounds, 12 team assists and just nine turnovers. The Mavericks held the Roos to just 32.8 percent shooting on the other side as well. Omaha has been a high-scoring team for most of the season. They’ve hit 70 points or more in 19 straight games, posting a 16-3 record in that time. 

These teams split the season series with the home team getting a win each time. South Dakota got the victory 91-87 on January 29 and the Mavericks took it 93-85 on February 22. The neutral court aspect will be interesting here, and you could make a case either way. I’ll lean slightly toward Omaha, but it’s a coin flip. 

Andrew Jett's Pick: Omaha Mavericks -4.5