Pack to face sixth-ranked South Dakota at Chuck Stephens Classic

PUEBLO, Colo. - Starting 1-3, the CSU-Pueblo men's basketball team could seem like a lamb being led to the slaughter when you consider that the sixth-ranked team in Division II, South Dakota, will be coming town this weekend in the Chuck Stephens Classic, which kicks off Friday at the Colorado State Fair Events Center in Pueblo.

But not to this ThunderWolves team.

It is, instead, a chance to send a message to the basketball world that the Pack, win or lose, won't lay down for anybody.

"South Dakota is a very good team, and they're very deserving of being ranked sixth in the country," ThunderWolves head coach Patrick Eberhart said. "But we are going to try and give ourselves a chance to win this game. We will come out and compete and I think it will be a very exciting game for people to come out and watch."

Eberhart's words aren't just empty coachspeak - already this season, the ThunderWolves have played the role of giant-killer, and nearly prevailed.

At the University of Nebraska-Omaha tournament Thanksgiving weekend, the ThunderWolves faced undefeated St. Cloud State, and pushed them to the brink. Only late turnovers and a few missed shots prevented the Pack from stealing the victory, losing by a 52-50 margin. In the latest National Basketball Coaches Assocation poll released this week, St. Cloud was rewarded with a ranking of 15th in the nation.

"South Dakota is big, but St. Cloud was big too," Eberhart said. "If we could come out and make some shots, move the ball, guard and rebound like we did last Saturday, we will have a chance to win this game."

The Pack's game against South Dakota will take place on the second day of the classic, Saturday at 8 p.m. Friday, the Pack will take on St. Martin's, which has started their season 1-3, as well. Tip-off for that game is at 8 p.m., as well.

The Pack women, as well, will be taking on a ranked team in 22nd-ranked Augustana (S.D.). They, too, will play on Saturday night.

Chuck Stephens Classic
At Colorado State Fair Events Center Friday's games
Women:

#22 Augustana (S.D.) vs. Regis, 2 p.m.; CSU-Pueblo vs. Hawaii-Hilo, 6 p.m.
Men: #6 South Dakota vs. Regis, 4 p.m.; CSU-Pueblo vs. St. Martins (Wash.), 8 p.m.

Saturday's games
Women: Hawaii-Hilo vs. Regis, 2 p.m.; CSU-Pueblo vs. #22 Augustana (S.D.), 6 p.m.
Men: St. Martins vs. Regis, 4 p.m.; CSU-Pueblo vs. #6 South Dakota, 8 p.m.