South Dakota Tech Basketball Team Overview

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The South Dakota Tech basketball team, also known as the Hardrockers, is a collegiate athletic team that represents the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota. The team competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and is a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC).

The Hardrockers have a rich history of athletic excellence, with a strong tradition of producing talented players and competitive teams. In recent years, the team has experienced significant success, including conference championships and national tournament appearances.

Team History

The South Dakota Tech basketball team was established in 1900, and has since become a staple of the university's athletic program. Over the years, the team has experienced its fair share of ups and downs, but has consistently produced talented players and competitive teams.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Hardrockers experienced a period of significant success, winning several conference championships and appearing in the NAIA national tournament. The team's success during this period was led by legendary coach, Jim Marking, who is still considered one of the greatest coaches in program history.

In recent years, the team has continued to experience success, including conference championships in 2010 and 2015. The team's success has been led by talented players such as, Jake Heath, who was named the GPAC Player of the Year in 2015.

Team Roster

The South Dakota Tech basketball team roster is made up of talented players from across the country. The team is led by head coach, Eric Glenn, who is in his fifth season at the helm of the program.

Some of the key players on the team include:

• Jake Heath: A 6'5" senior forward from Rapid City, South Dakota. Heath is a two-time GPAC Player of the Year and has led the team in scoring and rebounding the past two seasons.
• Tyler Hoffman: A 6'2" junior guard from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Hoffman is a two-time GPAC All-Conference selection and has led the team in assists the past two seasons.
• Ryan Smith: A 6'8" sophomore center from Gillette, Wyoming. Smith is a dominant force in the paint, averaging over 10 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Season Schedule

The South Dakota Tech basketball team competes in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), which is made up of 12 teams from across the Midwest. The team's season schedule typically runs from late October to early March, with conference games taking place in January and February.

Some of the key games on the team's schedule include:

• GPAC Conference Opener: The team opens conference play against Briar Cliff University on January 5th.
• Rivalry Game: The team faces off against longtime rival, Black Hills State University, on February 12th.
• Senior Night: The team honors its senior players on February 26th, in a game against Dakota Wesleyan University.

Championships and Accolades

The South Dakota Tech basketball team has a rich history of athletic excellence, with several conference championships and national tournament appearances.

Some of the team's notable championships and accolades include:

• GPAC Conference Champions: The team won the GPAC conference championship in 2010 and 2015.
• NAIA National Tournament Appearances: The team has appeared in the NAIA national tournament several times, including in 2010 and 2015.
• GPAC Player of the Year: Jake Heath was named the GPAC Player of the Year in 2015.

We hope you've enjoyed learning more about the South Dakota Tech basketball team. From their rich history to their current roster, the team is a force to be reckoned with in the world of collegiate athletics. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just a casual observer, we encourage you to follow the team's progress and cheer them on as they compete against the best teams in the GPAC.