College Basketball Conference Preview #12 - Summit League

The 2022-23 College Basketball Season will be one to remember for each team in the Summit League. Look for Oral Roberts to set the pace and finish in 1st place in the League. The Golden Eagles brings back four starters and will be led by senior guard Max Abmas and senior forward DeShang Weaver. Abmas could easily wind up being a 1st Team All Summit League Player this season. He will get help from junior guard Isaac McBride and senior forward Elijah Lufile. Look for senior guards Kareem Thompson and Carlos Jurgens - both returning starters - to provide additional scoring as well for the Golden Eagles this season. South Dakota last made the NCAA Tournament in 2008 when they played at the Division II Level and they may have an even more difficult time in 2022-23 than they have had in the past. The Coyotes are hoping to win the Summit League Conference Tournament in 2022-23 for the first time ever. South Dakota brings back three starters and will be led by senior guard Mason Archambault and junior guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt. The Coyotes also bring back junior forward Tasos Kamateros - another returning starter - and sophomore guard A.J. Plitzuweit. I predict South Dakota to finish in 2nd place in the final League Standings. South Dakota State looks to cause problems in the Summit League in 2022-23 but it won't be easy. The Jackrabbits welcome back three starters in senior guard Alex Arians, junior guard Charlie Easley, and sophomore guard Zeke Mayo. Look for several experienced players including senior forward Luke Appel and junior forward Matthew Mors (Wisconsin transfer) to provide the Jackrabbits with additional scoring. Head Coach Eric Henderson has the team headed in the right direction as he enters his 4th season at the helm. I predict South Dakota State to finish in 3rd place this season. North Dakota State will challenge Oral Roberts, South Dakota, and South Dakota State for the Summit League Title and will need a huge season from junior forward Grant Nelson - the lone returning starter - to win the Summit League Tournament. Nelson is a dark horse to be the Summit League Player of the Year this season and will get assistance from junior guard Boden Skunberg and sophomore forward Andrew Morgan. Head Coach Dave Richman did well in the Transfer Portal as the Bison added junior guard Luke Yoder (Illinois Wesleyan transfer). I predict North Dakota State to finish in 4th place in the final League Standings. Denver returns two starters from their 2021-22 team in sophomore guard Tevin Smith and sophomore forward Touko Tainamo. The Pioneers will also rely on sophomore guard Coban Porter to remain competitive in the Summit League this season. Expect contributions from junior guards Marko Lukic (Little Rock transfer) and Tommy Bruner (Jacksonville transfer) as well. Head Coach Jeff Wulbrun will have Denver back at the top of the League soon but their fans need to remain patient this season. I predict the Pioneers to finish in 5th place this season.

St. Thomas looks to pick up where they left off in 2021-22. The Tommies return two starters in senior guard Riley Miller and senior forward Parker Bjorklund. St. Thomas will need several experienced returnees to play bigger roles most notably senior forwards Brooks Allen and Will Engels. They will get assistance from several transfers including junior forward Courtney Brown Jr. (Milwaukee transfer) and sophomore guard Drake Dobbs (Liberty transfer). I predict St. Thomas to finish in 6th place in the final League Standings. Omaha hopes to climb the Conference Standings even further after an 8th place finish in 2021-22. The Mavericks return three starters and will be led by sophomore forward Frankie Fidler and junior forward Akol Arop. Look for several transfers to play important roles - most notably sophomore guard J.J. White (Junior College transfer) and sophomore forward Kennedy Brown (Junior College transfer). Junior center Dylan Brougham - the final returning starter - and junior guard La'Mel Robinson will have to have big seasons if the Mavericks hope to finish in the top half of the final Summit League Standings. I predict Omaha to finish in 7th place this season. Western Illinois only returns one starter in senior guard Trenton Massner. The Leathernecks will need junior guard Quinlan Bennett and senior guard Alec Rosner (Winona State transfer) to propel them to new heights this season. Look out for sophomore guards K.J. Lee and Braden Lamar who are both experienced returnees. The Leathernecks will take a slight step back this season after a 6th place finish in the Summit League in 2021-22. I predict Western Illinois to finish in 8th place in the final League Standings. Kansas City is looking at a rebuild as the Roos welcome new Head Coach Marvin Menzies. The Roos only return one starter in senior guard Anderson Kopp. Look for senior guard Shemarri Allen and senior guard RayQuandis Mitchell (UIC transfer) to have huge seasons for the Roos as they try stay out of the Summit League cellar. Head Coach Marvin Menzies has his work cut out for him in his 1st season at the helm but he is up for the challenge. I predict Kansas City to finish in 9th place this season. North Dakota is in search of their 1st winning season since 2016-17. The Fighting Hawks welcome back three starters and will be led by senior forward Brady Danielson and junior guard Matt Norman. Look for solid contributions from senior forward Mitchell Sueker, senior guard Caleb Nero, and junior forward Tsotne Tsartsidze - the final returning starter. Junior guard Jalun Trent (Junior College transfer) will make an immediate impact as well. I predict North Dakota to finish in 10th place in the final League Standings. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the Summit League. Enjoy all of the games!

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