The No. 23-ranked Creighton Bluejays open their 2025-26 season with a home game against the South Dakota Coyotes on Wednesday night.
The Bluejays have a completely new starting lineup, but my South Dakota vs. Creighton predictions are betting on them to shut down a Coyotes squad that will be overwhelmed against top competition.
Here are my best college basketball picks for this clash on November 5.
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South Dakota vs Creighton prediction
South Dakota vs Creighton best bet: South Dakota team total Under 69.5 (-120)
The South Dakota Coyotes lost four of their top five scorers from last season. This is a program that plays at a blazing-fast pace but shoots the ball poorly and doesn't get many second chances on the offensive glass.
In their season opener against Utah Tech on Monday, the Coyotes went 2-17 from the arc with 68 points in regulation. They needed to get to the line for 35 free throw attempts to generate points, and junior Isaac Bruns was the only player capable of creating his own shot.
Losing in overtime at home to a Utah Tech squad projected to be among the worst teams in the WAC is not a good look. Especially now that they are on the road in a tough venue against a far more talented Creighton Bluejays side.
The Bluejays lost Big East DPOY Ryan Kalkbrenner in the offseason but had success relying on less drop coverage and different defensive looks in the preseason. They beat Iowa State 71-58 and defeated Colorado State 76-64, holding both teams below 40% shooting.
The Coyotes are going to struggle against Creighton's length, and they won't be able to control the tempo against a Bluejays side that prefers a moderate pace.
South Dakota vs Creighton same-game parlay
While I like the Bluejays to shut down the Coyotes' offense, that's no guarantee that they cover the hefty 30-point spread. Creighton could have some offensive hiccups of its own while adjusting to five new starters.
In addition, prized transfer Owen Freeman (16.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 bpg with Iowa last season) is clearly less than 100% with his mobility and conditioning after recovering from knee surgery. He missed Creighton's first exhibition game and played just 13 minutes in the second.
Taking the Under on South Dakota's team total while backing them on the spread creates a great multiplier for this SGP.
South Dakota vs Creighton SGP
- South Dakota team total Under 69.5
- South Dakota +30
Our beyond the arc SGP: Coyotes ugly
I like the Coyotes to cover massive spreads in the first half and full game, but it's also practically a certainty that Creighton will have a lead after 20 minutes. That gives us a nice big money SGP here.
South Dakota vs Creighton SGP
- South Dakota team total Under 69.5
- South Dakota +30
- South Dakota +17 — 1H
- Creighton moneyline — 1H
South Dakota vs Creighton odds
- Spread: South Dakota +30 | Creighton -30
- Moneyline: South Dakota OTB | Creighton OTB
- Over/Under: Over 169 | Under 169
South Dakota vs Creighton betting trend to know
Creighton went 5-9-1 ATS against non-conference foes last season. Find more NCAA betting trends for South Dakota vs. Creighton.
How to watch South Dakota vs Creighton
| Location | CHI Health Center, Omaha, NE |
| Date | Wednesday, November 5, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock |
South Dakota vs Creighton key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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