SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Coming off its most historical season as a Division I member, the McNeese Cowboys basketball team will tip-off its 2024-25 season on Monday evening when it takes on South Dakota State in the third and final game of The Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase.
 
The game will tip-off at 5 p.m. Central Time at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls and will broadcast live on The Field of 68's YouTube Channel (click here) and X feeds, and also the network's popular After Dark show will go live from the arena at 10 p.m. CT.
 
Other games on the day will feature College of Charleston vs. Southern Illinois at 11 a.m. and Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara at 2 p.m. McNeese will host Santa Clara next month on December 3 in the Legacy Center.
 
The Cowboys are coming off a 30-4 campaign last season where they cruised to the Southland Conference regular season and tournament championships. McNeese qualified for its first NCAA Tournament in 22 years, third overall, and fell to No. 5 seed Gonzaga 86-65 in the first round.
 
South Dakota State posted a 22-13 record last season and won the Summit League regular season and tournament titles. The Jackrabbits fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to No. 2 seed Iowa State 82-65.
 
Coached by second year head coach Will Wade, McNeese earned its first-ever preseason ranking in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 as it debuted at No. 10. McNeese also received votes in the AP preseason poll for the first time in school history.
 
Reigning SLC Defensive Player of the Year Christian Shumate was an automatic selection to the league's preseason first team after he garnered the postseason honors last year. Joining him on the first team are transfers Quadir Copeland and Joe Charles while earning a spot on the second team are Javohn Garcia and newcomer Brandon Murray.
 
Garcia (11.2 ppg, 1.7 apg) is expected to start at the point guard position. Murray (4.3 ppg at Ole Miss last season) and Alyn Breed (4.8 ppg at Providence in 2022-23) are expected to round out the starting back court lineup. Shumate (12.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and Charles (11.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg at ULL last season) will make up the front court.
 
The Jackrabbits have been picked for a second place finish in the Summit League preseason poll, following Kansas City. South Dakota State senior center Oscar Cluff and sophomore guard Kalen Garry (7.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg) were both picked to the preseason second team. Cluff is a transfer from Washington State where he appeared in 35 games and making 23 starts while helping guide the Cougars to a 25-10 record and a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
 
This will be the first-ever meeting between McNeese and South Dakota State on the basketball court.