South Dakota State Women's Basketball Ncaa Tournament History
South Dakota State University (SDSU) is home to one of the most successful women's basketball programs in the NCAA. The Jackrabbits have made multiple appearances in the NCAA Tournament and have achieved numerous accolades along the way. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the history of South Dakota State women's basketball in the NCAA Tournament.
Early Years
SDSU first became eligible for NCAA Tournament play in 1993 after becoming a Division I program in 1983. However, it wasn't until the 2008-09 season that the Jackrabbits earned their first appearance in the big dance. That year, they won the Summit League tournament championship and secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Despite being a 13 seed, SDSU put up a fight against 4-seeded TCU in the first round, losing by a close score of 57-53. This first taste of March Madness spurred the program forward, and they began a streak of appearances in the NCAA Tournament that continues to this day.
Four Straight Tournament Appearances
Starting in the 2009-10 season, SDSU began a remarkable run of four straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament. This streak is particularly impressive given that the Summit League is a mid-major conference and typically only receives one bid to the tournament each year.
During this run, the Jackrabbits won the Summit League regular-season championship each year and added three more conference tournament championships to their trophy case. They also won their first-ever NCAA Tournament game during this stretch, defeating 12-seeded TCU in the first round of the 2010-11 tournament.
The Macy Miller Era
One of the key players during SDSU's four-year NCAA Tournament streak was Macy Miller. Miller played for the Jackrabbits from 2015-2019 and remains one of the best players in program history. She was a two-time Summit League player of the year and a four-time first-team all-conference selection.
During Miller's career, SDSU made three more NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2018. That year, the Jackrabbits upset 5-seeded Miami (FL) in the first round before falling to top-seeded Notre Dame in the second round. Miller was a key contributor in both games, scoring 20 points against Miami and 18 points against Notre Dame.
Recent Years
Despite the graduation of Macy Miller and other key players, SDSU has continued to be a force in the Summit League and a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament. They earned bids in both the 2019 and 2021 tournaments, though they were unable to win a game in either year.
The 2022 NCAA Tournament is slated to take place in March, and SDSU will be looking to make history once again. Led by senior guard Tylee Irwin and a talented supporting cast, the Jackrabbits have their sights set on winning their first-ever NCAA Tournament game since that 2018 Sweet 16 run.
Conclusion
South Dakota State women's basketball has come a long way since their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009. They have become a consistent presence in March Madness, racking up numerous conference titles along the way. With a talented roster and a winning culture, SDSU is poised to continue their NCAA Tournament success for years to come.