Prediction: South Dakota Coyotes VS Creighton Bluejays 2025-11-05

South Dakota Coyotes vs. Creighton Bluejays: A David vs. Goliath Spectacle with a Side of Humor

The South Dakota Coyotes, fresh off a season-opening 81-79 loss to Utah Tech, are about to face the No. 23 Creighton Bluejays—a team that finished 25-11 last year and thrives in the chaotic Big East. The odds? Creighton is a -29.5-point favorite, with some books implying they could win by enough to make South Dakota’s scoreboard look like a rounding error. Let’s break this down with the precision of a stat geek and the wit of a late-night host.

Parsing the Odds: Why Creighton’s Spread Feels Like a Foregone Conclusion
The Bluejays’ -29.5 spread is the kind of line that makes underdogs look like they’re playing for pride. For context, that’s equivalent to Creighton needing to win a marathon while South Dakota jogs in place. The total is set at 170 points, suggesting a fast-paced game—though given South Dakota’s 79-point debut, they might need a time machine to keep up.

Creighton’s implied probability of winning this game? Over 90% (per their 1.01 moneyline on DraftKings). Meanwhile, South Dakota’s 23.0 odds mean bookmakers give them about a 4% chance to pull off an upset. To put that in perspective, it’s more likely that Greg McDermott will retire before 2030 than the Coyotes winning this.

Team News: Injuries, Debutants, and a Coach with Something to Prove
South Dakota’s season opener was a thriller against Utah Tech, but not in a good way. Sophomore guard Isaac Bruns led the Coyotes with 23 points on 24 shots—because apparently, taking 24 shots is the new “efficient.” Redshirt freshman Evan Anderson added 10 points, and guard Vince Buzelis grabbed 11 rebounds in his debut. But let’s be real: South Dakota’s roster looks like a “new team” in every sense, and head coach Eric Peterson (43-54 in four seasons) is playing catch-up against a program with Big East pedigree.

Creighton, meanwhile, is a well-oiled machine. Coach Greg McDermott (350-171 career) just wants to avoid the humiliation of a home loss to St. John’s again (they did beat them in the Big East Tournament, though). The Bluejays return key players from a team that reached the NCAA Tournament and are playing at CHI Health Center Omaha, where they’ll enjoy the raucous support of fans who’ve probably never seen a Coyote in person.

The Humor: Toaster Offenses, Human Flywalls, and Why This Game is a Foregone Conclusion
South Dakota’s offense is like a toaster in a bakery: present, but not particularly useful. They managed 79 points against Utah Tech, which is admirable… if your goal is to lose by two. Their defense? Porous enough that if a zephyr blew through the arena, it might score a layup.

Creighton, on the other hand, is a human flywall. Their defense is so tight, it once trapped a Big East commissioner in a 15-minute Q&A about “student-athlete welfare.” Offensively, they’re a popcorn popper—explosive, loud, and likely to leave South Dakota’s defense charred.

And let’s not forget the spread. -29.5 is such a lopsided line, it’s almost generous. It’s like giving a toddler a 10-point head start in a race against Usain Bolt. South Dakota’s only hope is if Bruns turns into a human highlight reel, but even then, Creighton’s depth and experience will likely suffocate them.

Prediction: Creighton Wins by the Margin of “We Told You So”
While South Dakota’s underdog spirit is commendable (and their fans are surely brave souls), this game is a mismatch. Creighton’s home-court advantage, McDermott’s coaching acumen, and the Bluejays’ tournament-tested roster make them the clear choice.

Final Score Prediction: Creighton 85, South Dakota 55.

Why? Because if the Coyotes score 55, that’s a 20-point improvement from their debut. Creighton? They’ll likely hit their spread with a few quarters to spare, leaving bettors who took South Dakota +29.5 with the same question: “Why did I think a 23.0 underdog would win?”

In the end, this is a game where the real underdog is anyone who thinks South Dakota has a chance. Bet on Creighton, unless you’re a masochist who enjoys losing money and writing poetic essays about “the journey.” 🏀✨

Created: Nov. 5, 2025, 10:42 p.m. GMT

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