Senior Tyler Larson steps up to the line

Senior guard Tyler Larson once thought he was a disappointment at the University of South Dakota.

The Las Vegas native was brought in by former men's basketball head coach Dave Boots after two years of playing for Casper College. Boots said at the time of his signing that "Tyler is a big guard with a great work ethic."

But his first two season at USD were plagued by injury and inconsistency. He's now on his third head coach in three years with Craig Smith, but the senior is finding a rhythm that has made USD a contender against regional basketball powerhouses, like Creighton.

In the past week, Larson has been playing about 36 minutes a game and was making late-game plays against Youngstown State and Creighton that put USD back into the fight when down.

“I feel like my old self, like I was coming out of junior college,” Larson said. “I feel 100 percent. Also, my coaches have a lot of confidence in me, so that helps as well.”

He led the team Dec. 5 against the Penguins with 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists. He, along with teammates Brandon Bos and Casey Kasperbauer, formed a guard trio that was making 12 of 20 three-point attempts and for 21 of the Coyotes' 37 rebounds. 

While junior guard Tre Burnette received a lot of attention for keeping USD ahead for most of the match against Creighton Tuesday, it was Larson who, again, scored a career-high 25 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. 

Most notably, he hit a three-pointer as time expired at the end of regulation, tying the game sty 65-65. Three minutes earlier, the Coyotes had trailed 58-49. 

While the Coyotes lost both matches this week, Smith said the level of play from Larson has shown a player ready to step up and lead the team. 

"Tyler, Brandon, these guys are making plays when we need them to, and that's what we need," Smith said. "We have a lot of games left, including conference play, so we need to not only maintain but improve this level, especially on defense."

A communications major and sociology minor, Larson said his difference in play is a matter of mentality. 

"I just feel looser. There is a comfort I feel on the court and with this group of guys I haven't had in the years past," he said. 

See Tyler's game-tying shot against Creighton