South Dakota State vs Kansas State game
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Kansas State hosts South Dakota State on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Bramlage Coliseum to open the 2026-27 season.
It is coach Casey Alexander's first regular-season game after a 12-20 year.
Background
Casey Alexander is Kansas State's men's basketball head coach, taking charge of his first regular-season game with the Wildcats after two exhibition games. Kansas State went 12-20 last season and South Dakota State went 14-18, and this is the opener of the 2026-27 campaign for both. South Dakota State is coached by Bryan Petersen in his second season and is led by guard Joe Sayler, the Summit League's preseason player of the year who averaged 17.9 points on 46.6% shooting last year. Alexander has stressed shot selection, saying he wasn't pleased with some shots after the Missouri exhibition but thought it was much better against Nebraska.
How it unfolded
- Sep 8, 2026South Dakota State's non-conference schedule lists the season opener at Kansas State on Nov. 3, the program's fifth trip to Manhattan, Kansas.
- Oct 23, 2026Kansas State plays an exhibition game against Missouri inside Bramlage Coliseum.
- Nov 2, 2026Preview reports say Kansas State opens the season against South Dakota State on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. CT at Bramlage Coliseum.
- Nov 3, 2026Kansas State (0-0) faces South Dakota State (0-0) at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+ at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Kansas State head coach Casey Alexander said there is excitement and that "Tuesday is what we all came to Kansas State for. We want to play the games."
- Analysts
- Topeka Capital-Journal's Wyatt D. Wheeler predicts Kansas State 84, South Dakota State 74.
- Analysts
- The Wichita Eagle's Kellis Robinett picks Kansas State to win 92-67 in Manhattan.