South Dakota State Basketball: Projecting Jackrabbits 2019-20 rotation

By Austin Hamm | Aug 19, 2019

RENO, NV - DECEMBER 15: Mike Daum #24 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits heads off the court as Matt Dentlinger #32 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits takes his place during he game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Lawlor Events Center on December 15, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

RENO, NV – DECEMBER 15: Mike Daum #24 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits heads off the court as Matt Dentlinger #32 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits takes his place during he game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Lawlor Events Center on December 15, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

Guards

Brandon Key, Senior (sat out 2019, personal)

Key is one of two seniors on the squad and played a key role off the bench two seasons ago. In 18 minutes a game, he averaged 6.3 points and a team-leading 3.2 assists per game. He struggled as a shooter in his first year at SDSU, both from the field and the free throw line, but excelled as a playmaker and pace pusher as the backup point guard. As the most experienced player on the roster, it seems likely that Key will have the ball in his hands a lot and could rack up some gaudy assist totals.

Alex Arians (RS Sophomore 6.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.1 APG)

Arians is the only returning starter from a season ago, and he spent the year in a very much complementary role. After a relatively efficient showing, with shooting splits of .539/.373/.778, Arians seems a strong candidate to break out given all the shots up for grabs for the Jackrabbits this season. I’d expect him to be the full-time starter at either shooting guard or maybe even small forward, and likely lead the team in scoring.

Tray Buchanan (Junior, Transfer from Des Moines Area Community College)

If either Key or Arians falter in a larger role, Buchanan, who transferred to DMACC after a season off the bench at North Dakota, profiles as the probable beneficiary in terms of minutes and shots. A 6-2 combo guard who averaged 19.4 points per game in JUCO, Buchanan should spend substantial time on the floor with both Arians and Key, and the best lineup for the Jackrabbits may well include all three on the floor together.

Owen King (Sophomore 4.1 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 2.3 APG)

King appeared in 33 games, with one start, last season and looked like a capable reserve point guard. He was streaky scoring the ball though and will need to improve his consistency to both earn more minutes and hold off any potential threats from true freshmen that project to redshirt.

Beau Brown (Redshirt Senior)

Brown has appeared in 21 total games in his career, almost exclusively in garbage time. In his senior season, he might get a little more steady run at the back end of the rotation.