Krutwig makes his stand at South Dakota

Jacobs center Conrad Krutwig made unofficial visits to 10 other colleges, but he said the University of South Dakota "just felt right."

Krutwig made an official visit to the Vermillion, S.D. campus the weekend of Oct. 10-11. He phoned the USD coaching staff on Tuesday to give his verbal commitment.

"I really felt like I connected with the players, and as soon as I left I had a feeling I could see myself there," Krutwig said. "I really liked it a lot. Their coaching is really good. The coach (Dave Boots) has a good overall record (538-226), and I knew I'd have an opportunity to play there."

South Dakota is making the jump in 2008-09 from an NCAA Division II program to Division I. Krutwig also received offers from Division II schools, Lewis University and Wisconsin-Parkside.

The senior is entering his fourth season as a starter for the Golden Eagles. A two-time Daily Herald All-Area selection, his Jacobs teams have gone 52-6 the past two seasons.

In 2007-08, Krutwig scored 446 points (15.4 avg.), made 59 percent of his shots (189-of-320) led the Golden Eagles with 228 rebounds (7.9), notched 47 steals and distributed 44 assists.

In Krutwig's freshman year South Dakota will begin competition in the new Great West Conference. The Coyotes' schedule will include nonconference games against Wyoming, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Oregon State, Cornell, Morehead State and a tournament at Drake. A new basketball-only facility is expected to be completed by Krutwig's junior year.

The possibility of playing time as a freshman was a factor in Krutwig's decision.

"The opportunity to play was big for me, and they told me I wasn't going to redshirt," he said.

Krutwig plans to major in physical education or business and would like to eventually become a graduate assistant coach at South Dakota.