Aaron Johnston

But North Dakota State won the regular season championship for the first time in program history last year.

South Dakota State won its fourth straight tournament championship and went dancing once again under Aaron Johnston.

The Bison picked as the preseason favorites because they bring back so many players from last year's squad.

We'll get into them in just a little bit.

... late in the regular season.

Uh, what was so impressive about that run, that win streak that you mentioned for the Bison, was right in the middle of that win streak, they went to Brookings and dominated South Dakota State on its home floor, something that you almost never see.

You almost never see Aaron Johnston and crew lose really any game, let alone a home game in Brookings with such a rabid fan base.

And to be non-competitive in the fourth quarter was really eye, uh, eye-opening and, and kind of shocking to see covering that game.

So to me, the environment's fantastic, and I love the tournament where it is.

Last one, how well do you get along with Aaron Johnston, the guy that you have to coach against, recruit against, and try to beat?

Great.

I mean, I have the absolute utmost respect for Aaron and the things that he's done and how good a basketball coach and father he is and everything about him.

It is happy hour from the Summit League Basketball Media Day here in early October in Sioux Falls.

John Gaskins with Aaron Johnston, the head coach of the South Dakota State women's basketball team who just a few months ago once again hoisted a trophy over here and here you are again.

And did you guys do the whole video game experience at the arcade bar last night?

We did, and they did that a couple years ago.

in October.

Yeah, good to see you.

Aaron Johnston, South Dakota State women's coach here on Happy Hour at Summit Media Day.

It is Summit League Basketball Media Days at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.