OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha Men's Basketball (7-8) the defending Summit League regular-season and tournaments champions begin the league slate on New Years Day in Brookings, S.D., facing preseason conference No. 3 South Dakota State at 4:15 p.m. CT. Thursday's game will air on the Summit League Network while Gary Sharp has the call on 1290 KOIL in Omaha and on the Varsity Network.

Omaha finished the non-conference slate with seven wins, the most in the Chris Crutchfield era. Non-league play concluded on Sunday, Dec. 28 in Eugene, Ore., an 80-57 win for the Oregon Ducks. Omaha was held to just one player in double figures (Tony Osburn - 18 points) for the first time this season.

The Mavericks, preseason No. 2 in the Summit, play their next three games in Omaha with the conference home opener coming on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. CT vs. Kansas City.

South Dakota State, with an identical 7-8 record, wrapped up non-conference action at No. 1 Arizona on Monday. The Jackrabbits' offense is led by Jaden Jackson's 13.1 p.p.g. The sophomore from Bellevue, Neb. has recorded five games this season of seven or more field goals, including the last two outings for SDSU. Led by longtime assistant turned first-year head coach Bryan Peterson, SDSU averages 74.7 points a game, holding opponents to 71.0.

Kansas City (3-11) faces Denver Wednesday, Dec. 31 in the Roos' league lid-lifter.

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