LAKELAND (Interstat) — Lander will open its men’s NCAA Division II basketball season as the visiting team against Black Hills State on Saturday at the SCB HOF Classic in Lakeland. Both programs enter the matchup with 0-0 records, giving each side a fresh start in the early portion of the schedule.

The Lander Bearcats are working from a most recent result that saw them fall 84-61 at Gannon. Lander will try to shake off that outcome and establish consistency on both ends of the floor. Black Hills State’s most recent result was a 76-66 loss at Nova Southeastern. The Yellow Jackets will aim to use their home-team designation to settle into the contest and build early momentum.

The neutral-site setting at the SCB HOF Classic presents an early test for both programs. Lander will play as the visitor, while Black Hills State will be listed as the home team. The Bearcats and Yellow Jackets will each be looking to set a tone before their regular schedules unfold. With neither team having played a regular-season game yet, the matchup offers a first look at how each side will handle an unfamiliar opponent and a neutral environment. Lander will seek to establish its defense and avoid the slow start that marked its most recent outing. Black Hills State will look to control the tempo and lean on its home-team billing while facing a Bearcats squad eager to begin the season on better footing.

Lander’s next 10 games include Oklahoma Baptist, North Carolina-Pembroke, Catawba, Erskine, Allen, Carson-Newman, Columbus State, USC Beaufort, Clayton State and North Georgia. The Bearcats will alternate between road and home contests during that run, with several challenging matchups ahead. Black Hills State’s next 10 games include Florida Southern, Washburn, Gannon, Minot State, Mary, Augustana (S.D.), Sioux Falls and Simon Fraser. The Yellow Jackets will also face a demanding stretch with multiple home and road games. Those upcoming dates will test each team’s depth and ability to adjust quickly.

For Lander, the focus will be on starting the season with a composed effort against a Black Hills State team that has recent experience against strong competition. For Black Hills State, the priority will be defending its home-team role and controlling the pace early. Both teams will seek to avoid an 0-1 start and gain confidence before their schedules intensify. The contest also offers an early measuring stick for two programs looking to build momentum in Division II play.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Black Hills State to edge Lander 80-79. Interstat’s ELO system gives Lander a 56.4 percent probability to win.