As of the 2 p.m. Friday publishing of this show, Sioux Falls Live has not reported on what extent SDSU coach Eric Henderson has talked with Drake University in Des Moines about its head coach opening. But if there is mutual interest, we found a sneaky yet high-level reason why Drake would be a big step up from coaching at SDSU, a step that goes bey…

In a state tournament run straight out of Hollywood, the Sioux Falls Christian boys basketball lost one of their best players to a brutal knee injury late in the first round game, were devastated and needed a pick-me-up idea from head coach Mike Schouten to lift their spririts before the semifinal game, then captured a state title the next night to…

Opening Day of Major League Baseball is not completely lost on host John Gaskins, but he, like many, are left in the dark with access to the Twins game, plus there's that itch we can't stop scratching with the Minnesota Vikings. Hmmmmm. Legendary former Packers quarterback is looking for that last chance at glory after a lackluster run with the Jet…

So, how desirable is the Drake basketball job, should Eric Henderson be a candidate? What do we make of Hendo's old friend and boss T.J. Otzelberger after an Iowa State season that reached the high of being ranked No. 2 in the polls but the low of losing three of the last four games, including a second-round blowut in the NCAA Tournament? And why i…

It's a daily soap opera in college basketball — As The Transfer World Turns, and most episodes for the mid-majors end in heartbreak for those schools' fans. Every player on the All-Summit League first team has joined the transfer portal which shouldn't really come as a surprise. These were, after all, the very best players in the league, including …

If speed kills, Landon Dulaney has been pulverizing opponents on the football field, basketball court, and track his whole life. Now, the 200-meter dash state champion as a sophomore at Brandon Valley is ready to make FCS opponents bite the dust as a South Dakota State wide receiver. While he blazes through most sporting events, Dulaney thoughtfull…

So, SDSU became just another pile of road kill that UConn dismantled in an early round in the NCAA Tournament. That doesn't diminish what the Jackrabbits accomplished this season — particularly another NCAA Tournament win against the Big 12's third-best team Oklahoma State on Saturday — and nor should it change the way Aaron Johnston builds his tea…

So, SDSU became just another pile of road kill that UConn dismantled in an early round in the NCAA Tournament. That doesn't diminish what the Jackrabbits accomplished this season — particularly another NCAA Tournament win against the Big 12's third-best team Oklahoma State on Saturday — and nor should it change the way Aaron Johnston builds his tea…

Is SDSU vs UConn the biggest sporting event in the history of South Dakota State — and maybe even the state of South Dakota — considering the Jackrabbits' opponent, the stakes, and the national stage this game is on? Yes, there have been football FBS national titles and Div. II men's and women's national titles, plus other matchups with big-name, t…

And, then, there were four! The final four in each class of South Dakota's boys state basketball tournaments. In Class AA, will No. 1 Lincoln avenge its only loss this season against defending state champion Mitchell? Will No. 2 Brandon Valley do the same thing against Harrisburg? In Class A, can anybody realistically beat No. 1 Sioux Falls Christi…

Patrick Lalley, the editor of Sioux Falls Live filled in for John on Happy Hour Friday. Frank Gurnick, the director of soccer operations for Dakota Alliance joined the show at Sunny's Pizzeria. He talked about a local soccer star who just had a great achievement overseas. The growth of soccer locally, the role that Neighborhood Soccer plays, and mu…

It's that nearly annual rite of passage — the South Dakota State women's basketball team jumps on the big national stage to see how well it can play with the big girls in the NCAA Tourament. Maybe, just maybe, the Jackrabbits win their sixth Big Dance game and find themselves facing icon Paige Bueckers and Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma in UConn'…

Ask a Jackrabbit fan, and it feels like the SDSU women and the Summit League, period, is a Rodney Dangerfield of NCAA Tournament Selection Committees and their seedings: They don't get no respect! Now, first of all, that line is a double negative. But... should they get more respect? And, if so, what should schools like SDSU or Omaha — whose men ar…

The thrills and spills of South Dakota's own March Madness aren't limited to what happens on the court, as long-time SDPB-TV sportscasters (and former Sioux Falls radio partners) Mike Henriksen and Craig Mattick can attest. They called high school state tournament basketball and football together for over 20 years, narrating some of the most memora…

The Jackrabbits got hosed. That's Matt Zimmer's assessment of their No. 10 seed in the NCAA Women's Tournament, despite beating three ranked teams and playing four Quad-1 teams, with two close games. John Gaskins tried to make sense of the seeding with some NET and quad logic. Why will Oklahoma State be a difficult matchup for the Jacks? And, how m…

John Gaskins is in Rapid City providing radio play-by-play for the State Tournament. Back on the east side of the state Friday, Sioux Falls Live Editor Patrick Lalley sat down with Mitchell Republic's Marcus Traxler. They went class by class, breaking down the quarterfinal games from Thursday and looking ahead to the semi-final matchups.…

Spread the love or bring everybody to one spot — particularly the state's biggest city? Or second biggest city? It's the age-old debate that pops and boils from border-to-border every March when the state high school basketball tournaments roll around. Every year, six different venues host six differnt tourneys — three different spots each for boys…

Aaron Rodgers hasn't found a place to play yet — at least, as of this show's publishing. So, why not the Minnesota Vikings? In this week's "Nobody's Listening Anyway," Sioux Falls Live's Matt Zimmer and John Gaskins describe why they think Rodgers in purple would work, in addition to the McCarthy era that appears to be unfolding with lots of big-mo…

Together, they laughed, entertained, argued, and brought on the biggest names in the South Dakota sports scene for seven collective years and two stints on KWSN Sports Radio's afternoon drive-time show "Sports Talk with Craig & John." Then, one day, all of a sudden, one day, out of the blue, after the show, 20-year KWSN station manager Craig Mattic…

So, how does the dominant South Dakota State women's basketball team stack up with the other 13 that reached the NCAA Tournament — including the best Div. I team the Jackrabbits have ever had in 2019 (the one that reached the Sweet 16)? What do both the SDSU and USD men need to do to improve upon their thriving programs that both fell flat on their…

It finally happened, and it's a good thing for the Minnesota Vikings. And fomer Vikings linebacker (current radio analyst) Ben Leber called it on the second-ever episode of Happy Hour with John Gaskins, back in mid-December — before the debacles against the Rams and Lions, when it appeared the Vikings would be foolish to let Darnold go. They have m…

Make it a dozen! South Dakota State's women won their 12th Summit League Tournament title in the 17 times this event has been in Sioux Falls, beating a unrelenting No. 2 seed Oral Roberts 84-68 in a rock 'em, sock 'em game. The Jackrabbits are 29-3, have won 18 straight games and 57 consecutive contests against Summit League teams (nine in the tour…

The high-flying, full-throttle, pressure-packing rocket ship South Dakota hoped to ride for three days to three wins to seize the school's first-ever Summit League Tournament title crashed and burned —hard — in Saturday night's 100-75 loss to No. 1 seed Omaha. More appropriately, the Mavericks made sure the Coyotes failed to launch, using a full da…

It was a really, really awesome night to be a Coyotes fan among the 9,202 people in the PREMIER Center on Friday night. South Dakota roared back from a nine-point deficit with under four minutes remaining to knock out North Dakota State 85-84, thanks to Chase Forte's sheer will and the Yotes' patented full-court pressure and a fatigued Bison bunch …

In a wide-open field, South Dakota State was as good of a bet as any to win the Summit League Tournament and go to its 8th NCAA tourney. But that was a couple weeks ago, before point guard Owen Larson's torn ACL injury. How can the Jackrabbits still contend without him? Voice of the Jackrabbits Tyler Merriam has his answer to that, plus: What makes…

A hounding, dizzying full-court press. A topsy-turvy season full of shootouts, blowouts, euphoria and heartbreak. South Dakota's men appear to be the most fascinating, exciting team in the Summit League men's basketball tournament — a talented and impressively conditioned crew with wild style of play that could make them a wonderful wild card pick …

In a reflection of their seasons, No. 25 South Dakota State's women, the top seed in the Summit League Tournament, won their 55th consecutive game against conference teams (48 regular season, 7 tourney) by clamping down Omaha by 20 points (87-67), while South Dakota lost by 20 to No. 2 seed Oral Roberts (70-50). John Gaskins, Matt Zimmer, and Marcu…

In an hour-long conversation covering a wide variety of hot topics in SDSU, Summit League, and big-picture college athletics, 17th-year athletics director Justin Sell informs and opines about where things sit. As the Summit League men's and women's basketball tournaments tip off in Sioux Falls, Sell discusses how the SDSU women have ascended status…

Who will emerge from a stacked, up-for-grabs field as the men's Summit League Tournament champion and go dancing? Will a home court advantage be enough for the South Dakota State men to overcome the loss of their starting point guard? Should SDSU's Oscar Cluff have been voted conference player of the year over Omaha's Marquel Sutton? Does USD's Gra…

The brackets are set for the Summit League men's and women's basketball tournaments! John Gaskins has his first pre-tourney opinions and predictions — a predictable women's event (SDSU looks as invincible as ever) while the only prediction for the men is unpredictability. But John does have one men's prediction — a USD men's win over North Dakota S…

There's an old adage that says "defense travels." South Dakota's leading scorer is also one of the Summit League's best defenders — potentially the Defensive Player of the Year — in his only season in Vermillion, leading the hounding full-court press the Coyotes hope will wear down opponents in Sioux Falls at the league tourney this week. Vermillio…

Eric Henderson just won a 20th game for the fifth time in his six seasons at SDSU, and still has a shot at a fifth regular season Summit League title, as well. With a Jackrabbit squad that will have a decent shot at winning his third Summit League Tournament title next week — and therefore potentially garner interest of schools that could offer him…

The first domino just fell in the Sam Darnold and Minnesota Vikings' melodrama — The Los Angeles Rams restructured their deal with Matthew Stafford to bring the veteran former Super Bowl winner Matthew Stafford back. What does this mean for the Minnesota Vikings as they decide on franchise tagging, or even tagging and trading Sam Darnold? Matthew C…

The Summit League tournament and North Dakota State's chances of winning it may have taken a major turn with the injury (reportedly, a hand injury) to Bison star guard Jackson Moni, who was a scratch in last night's win over South Dakota. How screwed is NDSU if it is season-ending? And, what does it say about USD's chances of winning the SLT — or e…

No, he doesn't just roll out of bed and coach South Dakota State to dominating wins and titles. With 621 wins, 22 total Summit League regular season and tournament championships (11 each), a WNIT title, five NCAA tournament wins, and a Sweet 16 appearance, you think leading the Jackrabbits' juggernaut would be easy for Aaron Johnston. But it isn't.…

The Minnesota Vikings are the darlings of NFL Combine week because of how they'll deal with Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy, and both their GM and head coach Kevin O'Connell tapdanced around yet telegraphed what their intentions are. Plus, North Dakota State lost an offensive coordinator for a second consecutive season, and John Gaskins explains why …

What you do know is South Dakota State's 6'11 center Oscar Cluff has been a literally towering presence in his likely only season with the Jackrabbits — one of only two players in the nation with 20 double-doubles en route to Summit League Player of the Year (serious) candidacy. What you may not know is that the Sunshine Coast, Australia, native al…

John and Matt re-live their couples day drinking trip to Brookings on Sunday and get down to business with the Jacks' sleepy (until the last few minutes) win over Kansas City, how SDSU will fare without Owen Larson, the Omaha Mavs' first regular season title, and the final week of games before next year's tourney. Plus, Pierre native Gray Zabel is …

How much would a potential long-term injury to point guard Owen Larsen affect South Dakota State's chances of winning another Summit League Tournament? The Jackrabbits learned how to win without the true freshman and team leader in 3-pointers and steals in a narrow, come-from behind win over Kansas City on Sunday in Brookings, and host John Gaskins…

America was swept off its skates with the Four Nations event — especially the pair of USA-Canada showdowns that finished with an epic overtime final on Thursday night. While it was a spectacular showcase for the sport, how much will the hysteria spread? Will most Americans who don't watch hockey go back into their "call me the Olympics are back" mo…

Just when it appeared to be a three-horse race for the Summit League men's regular season crowd, fourth-place North Dakota State ended third-place South Dakota State's 16-game home winning streak, and fifth-place South Dakota pulled out a thrilling win over first-place St. Thomas — the second league leader to come to Vermillion and lose in the last…

What should we make of the latest Jackrabbit victories in the State-U basketball series after a pair of riveting games? On this week's "Nobody's Listening Anyway" with John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer break down the SDSU men's trouble against USD's full-court press, Jacks coach Eric Henderson's teaching touch, the Coyotes' impressive climb back from th…

Tuesday marks the first day of the 15-day window in which the Minnesota Vikings could franchise tag a free agent, and all NFL eyes are on Eagan to see if they'll keep Sam Darnold. How much will it take to tag Darnold, and is that worth it, considering the other free agents they may want to keep or move in on, and considering 2024 first-round pick J…

Both USD squads jumped on their in-state rivals and nemeses early, but in both cases, the Jackrabbits made major second half leaps (runs) to extend their winning streaks in the series — 10 straight for the men, seven straight for the women, back to Dawn Plitzuweit's last team. What was the biggest difference in both games this time around? When it …

What was the biggest difference in both the South Dakota State men's and women's teams' wins over South Dakota this time around? Both Coyotes squads jumped on their in-state rivals and nemeses early, but in both cases, the Jackrabbits made major second half leaps (runs) to extend their winning streaks in the series — 10 straight for the men, seven …

When South Dakota and South Dakota State lock horns in hoops, it is always a big deal. But this weekend's tilts are seeping with late-season storylines and drama. Both men's teams are red hot coming into their showdown in Vermillion. The Jacks have won seven of their last eight while the Yotes have won five or their last six. USD is 12-1 at home an…

It's stretch run time for Summit League basketball, with the third-place South Dakota State men hosting first-place Omaha in Brookings tonight. The Mavericks are on a magic carpet ride from out of nowhere — a ride that started with an incident involving a trash can in their locker room that has become a national phenomenon, now covered by The New Y…

This may be as good of a mood Matt Zimmer has ever been in the four-plus years of "Nobody's Listening Anyway," as he appears to still be glowing — and gloating — over the humiliation of Patrick Mahomes and the get-out-of-my-life Kansas City Chiefs. However, Zimmer and John Gaskins explain why the putrid performance did not put much of a dent in Mah…

Time for more South Dakotans to watch and enjoy our version of Caitlyn Clark — USD senior guard Grace Larkins from Altoona, Iowa, who is the third-leading scorer in the nation (24.8 ppg) and the only player to rack up 40 points in one game twice this season. She leads the Summit League in points, rebounds, and assists, and is 33 points shy of her 2…

The senior guard from Altoona, Iowa, is the third-leading scorer in the nation (24.8 ppg) and the only player to rack up 40 points in one game twice this season. She leads the Summit League in points, rebounds, and assists, and is 33 points shy of her 2,000th career point and third on the all-time Coyote career scoring list. This, after being named…