Celebrating 100 Division One Basketball games at the Sanford Pentagon

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -We just heard from Sundance Wicks on Tuesday night about how much he enjoyed bringing his Wyoming Cowboys back to South Dakota to take on the Jackrabbits at the Sanford Pentagon.

Every player and coach I’ve talked to since it was built has raved about the venue.

Our Sam Tastad put together some the reactions we’ve captured after the 100th Division One Basketball game was played on the Heritage Court at one of the coolest courts in the country.

<“I thought it was an unbelievable atmosphere. As good as in college basketball. No one tell me that’s a neutral site game,” said Oklahoma men’s basketball coach Porter Moser.

“It was absolutely unbelievable. I was talking to a Pentagon representative and he said that’s the best environment he’s heard in 100 games that have been here,” said Nebraska men’s basketball player Pryce Sandfort.

“It’s a milestone I wouldn’t of thought we would reach,” said Sanford Sports Vice President of Operations Jesse Smith. “After amount of effort it took to get game one and these Division I games off the ground, I never could have imagined we would be looking at hosting our 100th game.”

“They make you feel super welcome. They treat women’s basketball like its a sport. They put on a show and make us feel great about being here,” said South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley.

“To hear people say it is mandatory for people to play a game in the Sanford Pentagon is music to our ears,” said Sanford Sports President of Operations Steve Young.

“It was a home court and please can I take the fans. I think what the Pentagon folks is great. I would love to thank them as well,” said Iowa women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen.

“It felt like a home game with amount of fans there starting chants. You could definitely feel energy there,” said former Iowa Hawkeyes player Lucy Olsen.

“Every game is going to be by recently bias. But it was absolute electric in here. But I would put our experience in our arena with big time major fan support and community support. Major production,” said Young.

“Most memorable game was the Iowa and Gonzaga game that happened during COVID. We got the biggest game. We had Number one in country against the Number three team in the country and no one could come in and watch game. We felt like we were watching a secret scrimmage up until this Saturday with the Huskers was the Northern State national championship game against Ferris State. It ended on a last second shot and this play was loud and so much fun,” said Smith. “100 games means we have put ourselves on map as best in nation for college basketball. That was one of things our leadership had set out to do when we built this facility. We want to be a place for basketball, whether that’s youth basketball, AAU basketball, collegiate and professional. Now we can sit here and say we have checked those boxes. We have met all those goals and we want to keep going. Let’s keep going and do another 100.”

Copyright 2025 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.