A Holiday‑Season Basketball Spectacle
South Dakota State University’s Jackrabbits will meet the Wisconsin‑Green Bay Phoenix in a men’s college basketball showdown at the Sanford Pentagon on Monday, December 21, 2026. The game marks the fourth meeting between the two programs, a series that Green Bay currently leads 3‑0.
Green Bay’s Phoenix, fresh off a 18‑15 season that saw them advance to the Horizon League Tournament’s second round, will make their inaugural appearance at the Sanford Pentagon. The Sioux Falls venue has become a regular stop for SDSU, which has played there for seven consecutive seasons.
Jesse Smith, vice president of Sanford Sports, called the matchup “an excellent addition” to the Pentagon’s schedule, while Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb expressed excitement about testing his team against the Jackrabbits in Sioux Falls. SDSU coach Bryan Petersen added that the crowd’s energy and the program’s tradition make the game a highlight of the holiday period.
The contest is part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon, which will also feature games on November 1 and November 14, kicking off the 2026‑27 Division I basketball season. The Sanford Pentagon will host its tenth Division I matchup of the season, underscoring its growing role in the college basketball landscape.