Happy Hour with John Gaskins

The thrills and spills of South Dakota's own March Madness aren't limited to what happens on the court, as long-time SDPB-TV sportscasters (and former Sioux Falls radio partners) Mike Henriksen and Craig Mattick can attest. They called high school state tournament basketball and football together for over 20 years, narrating some of the most memorable moments in the lives of thousands of young athletes and their families. Their own memories of wild and bizarre moments that happened off the court, either during a broadcast or somewhere else, are vivid and wildly entertaining, and they have plenty to share in the hour-plus chat: "The truck blew up!" "Tom Daschle hit the wall of stench that stood between us" "There was an ashtray the size of a Buick hubcap, and it was full by the end of the night" "We are NOT TOAST!" Find out the stories behind these lines, plus what Craig and Mike think of the state's rule not allowing students and fans to storm the court, a topic that became a massive controversy at the Class A girls tournament last weekend. The two also discuss South Dakota's unique way of presenting six different state tournaments in 4-6 different venues each year.    

And, so here we are again, at that week on the sports calendar unlike any other.   The national sports holiday of March Madness in the NCAA men's basketball tournament unfolds on TV's in sports bars and computer monitors in cubicles all over the country.   Meanwhile, South Dakotans are also occupied by the boys state basketball tourneys and which major conference squad the Jackrabbits women are revving up to "upset" in the NCAA tourney.   And with these rites of passage come the annual Happy Hour deep dives into them with basketball analysts who are paid deep dive on such matters.   For SDSU's showdown with Washington in Fort Worth, the host once again enlisted Missy Heidrick, who called all the Jacks games in the Summit League Tournament for Midco Sports and CBS Sports Network.    Heidrick calls games in other conferences, including the Big 12, whose regular season champion TCU would likely host SDSU in the second round should the Jacks advance past the Huskies.     What aspects of the matchup favor SDSU, and what (and who) should concern Jacks fans?   For previews of the boys Class AA and A tourneys, Happy Hour turns to Nate Kaeding, who has been an analyst all season long for Midwest Sports Plus (some games, with the Happy Hour host on the play-by-play mic) and will be on the call for every Class A tourney game in Rapid City on SDPB.   For the second consecutive year, Sioux Falls Lincoln comes in as the far-and-away No. 1 seed, this time at 21-0. But the Patriots' 22-2 squad last year dropped its semifinal game to Mitchell and this year's field features several teams that could not just upset Lincoln but win it all.    Kaeding examines every quarterfinal game and predicts Saturday's final.  In Class A, the field seems a little less open. Why are two teams expected to roll into a clash of titans on Saturday?

Kaeding has been an analyst all season long for Midwest Sports Plus (mostly for Class AA games and some games with the Happy Hour host on the play-by-play mic) and will be on the call for every Class A tourney game in Rapid City on SDPB.   For the second consecutive year, Sioux Falls Lincoln comes in as the far-and-away AA No. 1 seed, this time at 21-0. But the Patriots' 22-2 squad last year dropped its semifinal game to Mitchell and this year's field features several teams that could not just upset Lincoln but win it all.    Kaeding examines every quarterfinal game and predicts Saturday's final.  In Class A, the field seems a little less open. Why are two teams expected to roll into a clash of titans on Saturday?    

And, so here we are again, at that week on the sports calendar unlike any other.   The national sports holiday of March Madness in the NCAA men's basketball tournament unfolds on TV's in sports bars and computer monitors in cubicles all over the country.   Meanwhile, South Dakotans are also occupied by the boys state basketball tourneys and which major conference squad the Jackrabbits women are revving up to "upset" in the NCAA tourney.   And with these rites of passage come the annual Happy Hour deep dives into them with basketball analysts who are paid deep dive on such matters.   For SDSU's showdown with Washington in Fort Worth, the host once again enlisted Missy Heidrick, who called all the Jacks games in the Summit League Tournament for Midco Sports and CBS Sports Network.    Heidrick calls games in other conferences, including the Big 12, whose regular season champion TCU would likely host SDSU in the second round should the Jacks advance past the Huskies.     What aspects of the matchup favor SDSU, and what (and who) should concern Jacks fans?  

Zim and the Happy Hour host go down a rabbit hole of Matt describing some of his favorite sporting events he has ever covered — which leads to a story about the presence (and scent) of Alex Rodriguez.   Also covered in this epsiode:   * Kyler Murry to the Vikings — good thing?   * Zim's new "Jacks Chats" series of 1-on-1 conversations with football players   * Biggest takeaways from SDSU spring practice so far   * A preview of the boys state AA basketball tourney, which is seeping with storylines   * A pair of Mick Garry stories from Rapid City state basketball tourneys of the past

A couple of days before St. Patrick's Day, fabled South Dakota sportswriter Matt Zimmer received a stroke of good luck.   The Sioux Falls Live sports editor saw South Dakota State's name pop up under a pod of teams headed to Fort Worth, Texas, for the NCAA women's basketball tournament's opening weekend.   For Zim, this was fortunate news because he gets to avoid flying, an activity he avoids like the plague. Yes, he's choosing a 12-hour solo drive instead of a nonstop flight.   Far more noteworthy things surround the 11th-seeded Jackrabbits' draw against No. 6 Washington in a game that likely will decide who meets the No. 3 seed TCU, which is hosting this particular "Sacramento 4" pod.   For one, does this feel like a potential repeat of SDSU's win over similarly seeded Oklahoma State in last year's NCAA first round?    Zim taps into that storyline and into the brilliance of Aaron Johnston in his matchups against major conference teams in the Big Dance.

  A couple of days before St. Patrick's Day, fabled South Dakota sportswriter Matt Zimmer received a stroke of good luck.   The Sioux Falls Live sports editor saw South Dakota State's name pop up under a pod of teams headed to Fort Worth, Texas, for the NCAA women's basketball tournament's opening weekend.   For Zim, this was fortunate news because he gets to avoid flying, an activity he avoids like the plague. Yes, he's choosing a 12-hour solo drive instead of a nonstop flight.   Far more noteworthy things surround the 11th-seeded Jackrabbits' draw against No. 6 Washington in a game that likely will decide who meets the No. 3 seed TCU, which is hosting this particular "Sacramento 4" pod.   For one, does this feel like a potential repeat of SDSU's win over similarly seeded Oklahoma State in last year's NCAA first round?    Zim taps into that storyline and into the brilliance of Aaron Johnston in his matchups against major conference teams in the Big Dance.   This is also an opportunity to bring up stories from past SDSU teams that played in "March Madness" on the national stage. What is his favorite Jacks NCAA win?   And that leads Zim and the Happy Hour host down a rabbit hole of Matt describing some of his favorite sporting events he has ever covered — which leads to a story about the presence (and scent) of Alex Rodriguez.   Also covered in this epsiode:   * Kyler Murry to the Vikings — good thing?   * Zim's new "Jacks Chats" series of 1-on-1 conversations with football players   * Biggest takeaways from SDSU spring practice so far   * A preview of the boys state AA basketball tourney, which is seeping with storylines   * A pair of Mick Garry stories from Rapid City state basketball tourneys of the past  

The State AA boys basketball tournament is just about to get underway in Rapid City. This is where our host, John Gaskins, is, so we bring in Trent Singer and Patrick Lalley to have a quick chat to kick off the week.    They chatted about the teams set to face off this weekend, the Augustana Hockey team, and more. Make sure to tune into Midwest Sports Plus for our coverage of the state tournament. 

Oh, sure, it is the most wonderful time of the year in both high school and college basketball, offering plenty of compelling topics to discuss, such as USD deciding to give Carrie Eighmey a new deal after het second season and the decision to "ride it out" for Eric Peterson's fifth and final contract year instead of working on a new deal.   There's the Augustana hockey team's first-ever postseason series win and the upcoming CCHA semifinal game at St. Thomas. What are the Vikings' odds of earning an at-large bid?   And, the Class AA Girls State Basketball tournament is coming up this weekend, featuring a possible (as in, likely) third consecutive championship game showdown between Brandon Valley and O'Gorman.   The Happy Hour Host and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer had plenty to say about those events on their weekly Thirsty Thursday show from Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls.   But before all of that, a word or 300 about Kyler Murray's visit to Minnesota and possible signing with the Vikings. (Possible, as of 3 p.m. on Thursday).                               Oh, sure, it is the most wonderful time of the year in both high school and college basketball, offering plenty of compelling topics to discuss, such as USD deciding to give Carrie Eighmey a new deal after het second season and the decision to "ride it out" for Eric Peterson's fifth and final contract year instead of working on a new deal.   There's the Augustana hockey team's first-ever postseason series win and the upcoming CCHA semifinal game at St. Thomas. What are the Vikings' odds of earning an at-large bid?   And, the Class AA Girls State Basketball tournament is coming up this weekend, featuring a possible (as in, likely) third consecutive championship game showdown between Brandon Valley and O'Gorman.   The Happy Hour Host and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer had plenty to say about those events on their weekly Thirsty Thursday show from Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls.   But before all of that, a word or 300 about Kyler Murray's visit to Minnesota and possible signing with the Vikings. (Possible, as of 3 p.m. on Thursday).                   Oh, sure, it is the most wonderful time of the year in both high school and college basketball, offering plenty of compelling topics to discuss, such as USD deciding to give Carrie Eighmey a new deal after het second season and the decision to "ride it out" for Eric Peterson's fifth and final contract year instead of working on a new deal.   There's the Augustana hockey team's first-ever postseason series win and the upcoming CCHA semifinal game at St. Thomas. What are the Vikings' odds of earning an at-large bid?   And, the Class AA Girls State Basketball tournament is coming up this weekend, featuring a possible (as in, likely) third consecutive championship game showdown between Brandon Valley and O'Gorman.   The Happy Hour Host and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer had plenty to say about those events on their weekly Thirsty Thursday show from Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls.   But before all of that, a word or 300 about Kyler Murray's visit to Minnesota and possible signing with the Vikings. (Possible, as of 3 p.m. on Thursday).                 Oh, sure, it is the most wonderful time of the year in both high school and college basketball, offering plenty of compelling topics to discuss, such as USD deciding to give Carrie Eighmey a new deal after het second season and the decision to "ride it out" for Eric Peterson's fifth and final contract year instead of working on a new deal.   There's the Augustana hockey team's first-ever postseason series win and the upcoming CCHA semifinal game at St. Thomas. What are the Vikings' odds of earning an at-large bid?   And, the Class AA Girls State Basketball tournament is coming up this weekend, featuring a possible (as in, likely) third consecutive championship game showdown between Brandon Valley and O'Gorman.   The Happy Hour Host and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer had plenty to say about those events on their weekly Thirsty Thursday show from Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls.   But before all of that, a word or 300 about Kyler Murray's visit to Minnesota and possible signing with the Vikings. (Possible, as of 3 p.m. on Thursday).                          

The Yankton legend and third all-time leading South Dakota high school basketball scorer started on the varsity boys basketball team as a seventh grader was recruited like crazy by every Big 12 and Big 10 team (so it seemed) and went to Wisconsin only to come back and play four years at SDSU, with his last game coming a week ago in the Summit League Tournament. He looks back and explains why he has "no regrets."

In his weekly appearance on Happy Hour, the Sioux Falls Live sports editor shares his views on the news of USD basketball coaches' deals (Eighmey getting a new one, Peterson not), plus: * The reality of USD and other mid-majors losing their best football and basketball players to the transfer portal and NIL money the school cannot compete with * The Summit League Tournament's viability in Sioux Falls and how far any discussion has gone among conference membership leaders of ever moving the event * The powerful presence of Jackrabbit fans making the SLT an annual home court advantage for SDSU teams... but also the increasing number of Coyote fans during USD games * The stability of the Summit League moving forward, considering Denver's upcoming departure will leave the conference with eight teams — the minimum needed to ensure an automatic bid in the NCAA basketball tournaments — and talk of schools like Omaha and St. Thomas looking to move to other conferences * The perception there is a "Dakota Schools vs. Non-Dakota Schools" division among league leadership and a notion that the Dakota schools "run the league." * South Dakota State's first football practice and the massive change in vibe (mainly, familiarity) from Dan Jackson's first season to his second * Why North Dakota State should be the favorite in its first season in the Mountain West Conference, plus how South Dakota State would perform immediately there * The annual state basketball tournament venue quandary and Sioux Falls not hosting a state tourney for the first time in 60 years  

USD athletic director Jon Schemmel on the future (contracts) of both men's coach Eric Peterson and women's coach Carrie Eighmey, the reality of the major sports losing their best players to more lucrative NIL deals, the stability of the Summit League and level of unity among school leaders, the prospects of the Summit League Tournament ever moving, and the conference's TV deal. 

North Dakota State isn't ready to play in the FBS.   It's ready to win the Mountain West Conference. Right now.   That is at least the conclusion you could make if you go by Collin Wilson of Action Network HQ — a sports media company featuring news and analysis focused on sports betting —  a who pegs North Dakota State as one of the six FBS teams out of 139 projected to be favored in each of its 12 regular season games in 2026.   Yes, the Bison are projected to be favored in every game in their first year at "the next level."   The Happy Host starts Wednesday's show not only breaking down why NDSU is an immediate MWC contender, but also breaks down NDSU's schedule, which was unveiled on Tuesday.   Hear Bison coach Tim Polasek's remarks on the reality of living in the FBS coaching world and what it will mean for the beefing up of his staff and types of players he recruits.   Then, hear from NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen, who remarked recently on the stability of the Summit League. There are some who wonder if the conference is on shaky ground, with Denver's departure after this school year leaving the Summit with just eight teams for men's and women's basketball.   With the inside ropes on the President's Council meetings, does Larsen believe there should be concern about other teams leaving and the conference not being "one big happy family?" Craig Mattick, SDPB state championships broadcaster The original co-host and producer of the first daily sports talk show in South Dakota history, Mattick teamed with the Happy Hour host for seven of the 19 years the show was on the air until its cancellation two months into the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.   "Sports Talk with Craig & John" reunited for 50 minutes on Tuesday at Gibs Sports Bar, mainly to talk about the big picture of state tournament hoops in South Dakota.   It is an annual rite of passage — the discussion of state tourney venues, specifically if South Dakota would be better off to have all of its state tourneys in one city, like Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, and most others.    There's a sticking point: Would the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center ever want to host all-class state championships? This year marks the first time Sioux Falls won't host a state basketball tournament in over 60 years.   Also, there's the format and the process at the AA level to qualify for state. Mattick digs into how the "rank and file" who decides these matters operates.   Mattick looked back at how the Sioux Falls and South Dakota sporting landscape changed in 2002 when SDSU decided to join NDSU in Division I. I — a move Mattick constantly derided as the wrong one when it was happening — and when the Summit League Tournament came in 2009.   But how bright is that event's future?

North Dakota State isn't ready to play in the FBS.   It's ready to win the Mountain West Conference. Right now.   That is at least the conclusion you could make if you go by Collin Wilson of Action Network HQ — a sports media company featuring news and analysis focused on sports betting —  a who pegs North Dakota State as one of the six FBS teams out of 139 projected to be favored in each of its 12 regular season games in 2026.   Yes, the Bison are projected to be favored in every game in their first year at "the next level."   The Happy Host starts Wednesday's show not only breaking down why NDSU is an immediate MWC contender, but also breaks down NDSU's schedule, which was unveiled on Tuesday.   Hear Bison coach Tim Polasek's remarks on the reality of living in the FBS coaching world and what it will mean for the beefing up of his staff and types of players he recruits.   Then, hear from NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen, who remarked recently on the stability of the Summit League. There are some who wonder if the conference is on shaky ground, with Denver's departure after this school year leaving the Summit with just eight teams for men's and women's basketball.   With the inside ropes on the President's Council meetings, does Larsen believe there should be concern about other teams leaving and the conference not being "one big happy family?"

The original co-host and producer of the first daily sports talk show in South Dakota history, Mattick teamed with the Happy Hour host for seven of the 19 years the show was on the air until its cancellation two months into the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.   "Sports Talk with Craig & John" reunited for 50 minutes on Tuesday at Gibs Sports Bar, mainly to talk about the big picture of state tournament hoops in South Dakota.   It is an annual rite of passage — the discussion of state tourney venues, specifically if South Dakota would be better off to have all of its state tourneys in one city, like Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, and most others.    There's a sticking point: Would the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center ever want to host all-class state championships? This year marks the first time Sioux Falls won't host a state basketball tournament in over 60 years.   Also, there's the format and the process at the AA level to qualify for state. Mattick digs into how the "rank and file" who decides these matters operates.   Mattick looked back at how the Sioux Falls and South Dakota sporting landscape changed in 2002 when SDSU decided to join NDSU in Division I. I — a move Mattick constantly derided as the wrong one when it was happening — and when the Summit League Tournament came in 2009.   But how bright is that event's future?    

Here we go again.   The South Dakota State women's basketball team won its 13th Summit League Tournament championship in the 18 years of the event in Sioux Falls on Sunday, and this leaves some fans outside the state crying over spilled basketballs.   Those would be the four North Dakota State turnovers in the final two minutes that helped the Jackrabbits stave off the regular season champions down the stretch 64-51.   Some Bison fans — and other fans outside South Dakota's borders — are tired of seeing SDSU hoist the trophy, powered by the blue tidal wave of fans who make every Jacks game in the SLT a road game for the opponent.   Is it fair? How much of the Jacks' success actually has to do with the home cooking?   The Happy Hour host dives into the performances by both teams in Sunday's game and the history of both the women's and men's tourney in Sioux Falls that points to the real reason the SDSU women usually come out on top.   Then, CBS Sports Network Missy Heidrick, who was on the call for Sunday's game, gives an astute basketball mind's view of how SDSU beat NDSU and how tourney MVP Brooklyn Meyer won the "game within the game" against Avery Koenen.   Heidrick weighs in on the "home court" topic and if the Summit League should consider hosting the tournament somewhere else. She also breaks down why the North Dakota State men won their sixth Summit tourney title, but NDSU's first in six years. 

Heidrick, who was on the call for Sunday's game, gives an astute basketball mind's view of how SDSU beat NDSU and how tourney MVP Brooklyn Meyer won the "game within the game" against Avery Koenen.   Heidrick weighs in on the "home court" topic and if the Summit League should consider hosting the tournament somewhere else. She also breaks down why the North Dakota State men won their sixth Summit tourney title, but NDSU's first in six years. 

Here we go again.   The South Dakota State women's basketball team won its 13th Summit League Tournament championship in the 18 years of the event in Sioux Falls on Sunday, and this leaves some fans outside the state crying over spilled basketballs.   Those would be the four North Dakota State turnovers in the final two minutes that helped the Jackrabbits stave off the regular season champions down the stretch 64-51.   Some Bison fans — and other fans outside South Dakota's borders — are tired of seeing SDSU hoist the trophy, powered by the blue tidal wave of fans who make every Jacks game in the SLT a road game for the opponent.   Is it fair? How much of the Jacks' success actually has to do with the home cooking?   The Happy Hour host dives into the performances by both teams in Sunday's game and the history of both the women's and men's tourney in Sioux Falls that points to the real reason the SDSU women usually come out on top.

Summit Tourney Coyote Lounge: Women advance to face Jacks while men bow out

Jackrabbit Lounge from the SLT: Business as usual for women, same old 2026 tune for men