VERMILLION, S.D.–Experience is the key component for the South Dakota women's basketball 2017-18 season under USD head coach Dawn Plitzuweit.
 
At this time a year ago, the Coyotes faced the challenges of a new roster, a new coaching staff, a new system and a new facility. That team was replacing four starters and lost its top two returners to what became season-ending injuries.
 
The feeling in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center is much different this season for the Coyote women. South Dakota returns seven players, including three starters, from a team that finished 23-9 and advanced to the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament. Those returners accounted for roughly 75 percent of the minutes and scoring last season. Additionally, redshirt-senior guards Caitlin Duffy and Jasmine Trimboli, who played key roles on the 2015-16 WNIT Championship team, have returned to the court.
 
"It has been great to have a number of returners on the court who understand the basic concepts and components behind the offense we want to run," said Plitzuweit. "They have been able to help their teammates figure it out. What has been fun to watch is the progression of understanding that spacing is key. Movement is great, but spacing is really important. Along with learning how to put those two together and how to play with tempo."
 
A year into Plitzuweit's motion offense, the Coyotes have learned about versatility as players. Traditional post players have become comfortable on the perimeter while guards have learned to drive to the basket and create scoring opportunities while posting up.
 
"Our players have the desire to improve," Plitzuweit commented. "Their desire to be coachable and desire to continue to get better has been extraordinary. We have a group that wants to be involved. They have a great care factor for one another. They love to play with each other, love playing together and love competing."
 
One area of the game the Coyotes will look to retain from last season is their scoring efficiency. Between junior guard Allison Arens driving to the rim for nearly a 50 percent field-goal percentage and sinking almost 90 percent of her free throws, junior guard Jaycee Bradley draining 45 percent of her 3-pointers, sophomore guard Ciara Duffy knocking down shots inside and out while handling the point, and all four of the other returning Coyotes averaging better than 40 percent from the field, the team ranked in the top-11 nationally for all three shooting percentage categories. South Dakota captured the NCAA's Free Throw Shooting Percentage award by sinking 80.4 percent, ranked 10th in the nation for 3-point field-goal percentage (37.9) and 11th for field-goal percentage (46.9).
 
"What was amazing to me about last year's group is how we performed in the circumstances," said Plitzuweit. "We had a whole new team, a new coaching staff, a new system and new style. Despite all of that, we finished scoring at a 46.9 percent clip. It speaks volumes of our players to make it all come together.
 
"The question for this season is not how do we improve on that, but how do we become more efficient offensively by taking care of the basketball? We can improve our points per possession if we take care of the ball better. Additionally, we want to focus on becoming a better defensive team than we were a year ago."
 
Increasing the tempo of play, protecting the basketball and defending more aggressively are three key areas Plitzuweit emphasized for improvement in 2017-18. A deeper bench this season will help with the demand for higher energy levels on the court.
 
"What's special about this group is its energy and enthusiasm," said Plitzuweit. "Our players care a great deal about giving their best effort in everything they do, whether it's spending time together as teammates to build great relationships, time spent volunteering in the community, working in the classroom, or working to get better on the court. It is a lot of fun to be around that enthusiasm every day."
 
Featured on this year's nonconference schedule is the NCAA's all-time winningest program in Tennessee, the Big 12's Iowa State and Oklahoma State, and 2017 NCAA Tournament qualifier Creighton.
 
The Coyotes also have eight nonconference home games inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center, including a four-game home stand leading into the holiday break. USD was 13-1 with a win margin of 18.5 in its first season in the Sports Center. USD ranked 12th in home attendance among mid-majors last season.
 
"When our fans are cheering, yelling and screaming, it energizes our players to get that next defensive stop," Plitzuweit commented. "To get that next rebound. To take a charge. To get to the rim and make something happen. The impact that our fans make is a phenomenal benefit to our student-athletes. [...] It's hard sometimes to take it in and enjoy the moment. When you go back and evaluate it, you realize how special this place is."
 
Catch the Coyotes the first time this season at 7 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Coyote Hoops Madness event.
 
South Dakota opens the 2017-18 season at Iowa State on Nov. 10. The home opener is slated for Nov. 14 with Creighton. Season tickets are available now by visiting GoYotes.com/tickets or by calling (605) 677-5959.