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South Dakota State returns to tourney with nation's 2nd leading scorer

Steven Branscombe / USA TODAY Sports

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South Dakota State is back in the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in the past six seasons and this year it will be entering the competition with more firepower.

The Jackrabbits have yet to win a game in the tournament, most recently losing in the opening round to Maryland a year ago as a 12 seed. South Dakota State should be a tougher out this time around, however, thanks to the nation's second best scorer in Mike Daum.

Daum is a force to be reckoned with: The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 25.3 points to go along with 8.2 rebounds per game this season. He has the ability to score at will and that was never more apparent than in the Summit League final, where he dropped 37 points.

Daum has also posted 12 games with at least 30 points in 2016-17, including outings where he scored 42 and 51.

Season summary: Things weren't looking good for the Jackrabbits after losing six of their first seven games, but they righted the ship to finish with 18 wins. South Dakota State is coming into the Madness hot with six straight victories, including defeats of Omaha and South Dakota, both of whom topped the Jackrabbits earlier in the year.

Outside of Daum, South Dakota State struggles to score, so expect the game plan to revolve around the star sophomore as long as the Jackrabbits are still alive in the tournament.

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