College Basketball Conference Preview #12 - Summit League
The 2023-24 College Basketball Season will be one to remember for each team in the Summit League. Look for South Dakota State to set the pace and finish in 1st place in the League. The Jackrabbits welcome back three starters in senior guard Matt Mims, junior guard Zeke Mayo, and sophomore forward William Kyle III. Look for several experienced players including senior guard Charlie Easley, senior forward Luke Appel, and sophomore forward Matthew Mors to provide the Jackrabbits with additional scoring. Head Coach Eric Henderson has the team headed in the right direction as he enters his 5th season at the helm. North Dakota State brings back four starters and will be led by senior guard Boden Skunberg and junior forward Andrew Morgan. Look for sophomore guards Tajavis Miller and Damari Wheeler-Thomas - both returning starters - to provide additional scoring. Head Coach Dave Richman did well in the Transfer Portal as the Bison added junior forward Jeremiah Burke (Junior College transfer). I predict North Dakota State to finish in 2nd place in the final League Standings. St. Thomas looks to pick up where they left off in 2022-23. The Tommies return three starters and will be led by senior forwards Brooks Allen and Parker Bjorklund. St. Thomas will need several experienced returnees to play bigger roles most notably sophomore forward Ahjany Lee and sophomore guard Kendall Blue - the final returning starter. They will get assistance from senior guard Raheem Anthony (Division III transfer). I predict St. Thomas to finish in 3rd place in the final League Standings. North Dakota will challenge South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and St. Thomas for the Summit League Title and will need a huge season from sophomore forward B.J. Omot - a returning starter - to win the Summit League Tournament. 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 forward Tsotne Tsartsidze. Look for solid contributions from sophomore guards Treysen Eaglestaff and Elijah Brooks - both returning reserves. Sophomore guard Eli King (Iowa State transfer) and junior forward Amar Kuljuhovic (Junior College transfer) will also make an immediate impact. I predict North Dakota to finish in 4th place in the final League Standings. Oral Roberts brings back two starters in senior guards Isaac McBride and Kareem Thompson. McBride could easily wind up being a 1st Team All Summit League Player this season. He will get help from senior forward DeShang Weaver and senior guard Trey Phipps - both returning reserves. Look for freshman forward Braeden Moore (BYU transfer) and junior guard Jalen Miller (Rutgers transfer) to provide additional scoring as well for the Golden Eagles this season. New Head Coach Russell Springmann has high hopes for his team this season. I predict Oral Roberts to finish in 5th place in the final League Standings.
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 2023-24 than they have had in the past. The Coyotes are hoping to win the Summit League Conference Tournament in 2024 for the first time ever. South Dakota doesn't bring back any starters and will be led by junior guard Paul Bruns and senior guard Max Burchill - both returning reserves. The Coyotes also add junior guard Kaleb Stewart (Louisiana Tech transfer), senior guard Bostyn Holy (Utah transfer), and senior forward Lahat Thioune (UCF transfer). I predict South Dakota to finish in 6th place in the final League Standings. Kansas City is looking at a rebuild but the Roos do return three starters and will be led by junior forward Allen David Mukeba and sophomore forward Jeff Ngandu. Look for sophomore forward Promise Idiaru - the final returning starter - and senior guard Anderson Kopp - a returning reserve - 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 just his 2nd season at the helm but he is up for the challenge. Several transfers including senior guards Artese Stapleton (Division II transfer) and Khristion Courseault (Chattanooga transfer) are candidates for a breakout season. I predict Kansas City to finish in 7th place this season. Omaha hopes to climb the Conference Standings after a 10th place finish in 2022-23. The Mavericks return four starters and will be led by junior forward Frankie Fidler and junior guard JJ White. Look for several transfers to play important roles - most notably senior forward Nick Davis (Division II transfer) and junior guard Biko Johnson (Junior College transfer). Junior forward Marquel Sutton and sophomore guard Ja'Sean Glover - the other returning starters - and sophomore guard Tony Osborn - a returning reserve - 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 8th place this season. Denver returns two starters from their 2022-23 team in senior guard Tommy Bruner and junior forward Touko Tainamo. The Pioneers will also rely on sophomore guard Ben Bowen and junior forward Pedro Lopez-Sanvicente - both returning reserves - to remain competitive in the Summit League this season. Expect contributions from sophomore guard Josh Lee (Junior College transfer) and senior guard Isaiah Addo-Ankrah (UTSA 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 9th place this season. 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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