University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
South Dakota State
Panther men’s basketball set to entertain South Dakota State
11/8/2025 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UNI and SDSU clash for the first time since 2018. Tickets on sale now.
UNI men's basketball (1-0 / 0-0 MVC) vs. South Dakota State (2-0 / 0-0 Summit)
- 1 p.m. CT
- Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025
- Cedar Falls, Iowa | McLeod Center (6,650)
- WATCH (ESPN+) [Brad Wells: Play-by-Play / Kevin Lehman: Analyst]
- LISTEN (Panther Sports Radio Network) [J.W. Cox: Play-by-Play / Kevin Boyle: Analyst]
- LIVE RESULTS
- TICKETS
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI men's basketball continues its four-game homestand to open the 2025-26 season on Sunday as the 1-0 Panthers play host to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits inside the McLeod Center in non-conference action.
Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT with live coverage ESPN+ with Brad Wells and Kevin Lehman on the call, as well as the Panther Sports Radio Network (93.5 The Mix) with J.W. Cox and Kevin Boyle on the call.
Single-game and season tickets for the 2025-26 men's basketball regular season can be purchased online through the UNI Ticket Office, by calling 319-273-4849 or through email at tickets@uni.edu.
Fans will also be treated to postgame autographs from players on the north concourse of the McLeod Center with free posters available while supplies last.
South Dakota State holds a 46-39 lead in the all-time series as both teams meet for the first time since December 2018 in Minneapolis at the U.S. Bank Stadium Basketball Classic.
Northern Iowa returns to action after an impressive performance in an 86-57 season opening win over CSUN on Thursday night. The Panthers shot north of 50% from the field on the night and recorded 24 assists on 32 made shots with four players scoring in double-digit figures.
Leon Bond III finished the victorious effort with a game-high 23 points and a career-high tying five assists. Trey Campbell tallied 13 points with a career-high seven assists and team-high six rebounds, while Ben Schwieger also posted 13 points. Tristan Smith notched ten points and five boards in his Division I debut, with Max Weisbrod and Kyle Pock both finishing with six points each and RJ Taylor posting five points.
Campbell enters Sunday's contest with the Jackrabbits expected to play in his 100th career game and 65th consecutive start, while also sitting 78 points shy of becoming the latest member of the program's 1,000 career point club.
UNI is also ranked 11th in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major preseason top-25 rankings, one of seven MVC schools to be either ranked or receiving votes.
SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
The Jackrabbits look for a 3-0 start to the season after escaping an upset bid from NAIA Dakota State at home on Thursday, 68-62. South Dakota State opened the season last Monday in Sioux Falls with a 75-66 victory over Merrimack at the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon.
With head coach Bryan Petersen taking over in Brookings in his first season following the departure of Eric Henderson to Drake, the Jackrabbits were picked third in this year's Summit League preseason poll behind St. Thomas and Omaha. Junior guard Kalen Garry was named preseason first team all-conference after posting 13.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season.
Jaden Jackson has gotten off to a hot start for SDSU with 21.5 points through two games this year, with 11.5 points from Matthew Mors. Garry and Mors have also posted seven rebounds a game so far this season.
UNI men's basketball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Men's Basketball), X (@UNImbb) and on Instagram (@uni_basketball). Schedule and roster information, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
