Here. We. Go.
With the All-Tournament teams and individual awards officially announced by the League (check ours out HERE), all eyes turn to The Pentagon in Sioux Falls for this weekend’s Summit League Tournament. Below are my predictions on the women’s side and both my brackets can be found at the end of the article. Congratulations to all involved and best of luck to the student-athletes in the 2021 Summit League Tournament!
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 South Dakota State vs. No. 8 Omaha
Head-to-head
South Dakota State swept Omaha earlier this season down at Baxter Arena. SDSU won the first game 62-50, and the second game 64-54. The Jackrabbits come into the Tournament scoring 71.8 ppg; the Mavericks 63.2 ppg. Both teams are in the top-5 of the Summit League in scoring defense and FG%.
Players to watch
South Dakota State: Junior, Paiton Burkhard (13 ppg., 5.5 rpg.), Senior, Tylee Irwin (13.4 ppg., 89.6 FT%), and Freshman, Madysen Vlastuin (4.4 ppg., 45 FG%).
Omaha: Junior, Elena Pilakouta (13.4 ppg., 4.5 rpg.), and Sophomore, Ella Ogier (8.4 ppg., 84 FT%).
Winner
Omaha does a great job on the boards and gets to the free throw line more than the Jackrabbits, but unlike earlier this season, SDSU gets hot from the three-point line en-route to a quarterfinal victory.
SDSU by 15-20.
No. 4 Kansas City vs. No. 5 Western Illinois
Head-to-head
Kansas City and Western Illinois split the regular season series in Macomb. Western Illinois won the first game 78-64, while Kansas City won the second 82-76. The Roos come into the Summit League Tournament averaging 68.4 ppg; the Leathernecks 70.1 ppg. Both teams are in the top half of the league shooting the three-point shot and average three-pointers made per game.
Players to watch
Kansas City: Junior, Naomie Alnatas (16 ppg., 46.6 FG%), Junior, Ravon Nero (11.2 ppg., 1.2 spg.), and Junior, Paige Bradford (10.5 ppg., 6.2 rpg.).
Western Illinois: Senior, Grace Gilmore (13.3 ppg., 3.7 apg.), Junior, Danni Nichols (11.7 ppg., 4.7 rpg.), and Junior, Evan Zars (11.3 ppg., 8.9 rpg.).
Winner
Kansas City gets into foul trouble early. Western Illinois gets hot from the three-point line and gets to the free-throw line frequently, especially late.
Western Illinois by 5-10 points.
No.2 South Dakota vs. No.7 Oral Roberts
Head-to-head
South Dakota won both games against Oral Roberts a couple of weeks ago in Vermillion. USD won the first game 77-54, and the second game 76-54. The Yotes come into the Summit League Tournament averaging a league-best 74.9 ppg; the Golden Eagles 64.3 ppg. Both teams are top five in the league in blocked shots and steals.
Players to watch
South Dakota: Senior, Hannah Sjerven (17.2 ppg., 10 rpg.), Senior, Chloe Lamb (15.8 ppg., 44.2 FG%), Freshmen, Maddie Krull (9 ppg., 2.3 apg.).
Oral Roberts: Junior, Ariel Walker (8.8 ppg., 2.6 rpg.), Senior, Keni Jo Lippe (14.5 ppg., 5.2 rpg.), and Freshmen, Tierney Coleman (12 ppg., 70.4 FT%).
Winner
Oral Roberts gets off to a quick start, but USD gets things going from deep. Sjerven dominates the boards the whole game en-route to an impressive first-round victory.
USD by 20-25.
No. 3 North Dakota State vs. No. 6 Denver
Head-to-head
North Dakota State and Denver split their regular season series back in January. Denver won the first game 62-60 and NDSU won the second game 74-56. The Bison come into the Summit League Tournament averaging 69.6 ppg; the Pioneers 72 ppg. They are the best two teams in the league when it comes to free-throw shooting (NDSU 77%, Denver 75.6%) and both are top-3 in 3-point field-goal percentage.
Players to watch
North Dakota State: Sophomore, Ryan Cobbins (10.5 ppg., 6.3 rpg.), R-Sophomore, Heaven Hamling (13.2 ppg., 2.8 apg.), and Senior, Emily Dietz (10.5 ppg., 6.4 rpg.).
Denver: Sophomore, Meghan Boyd (15.2 ppg., 3 apg.), Junior, Anna Jackson (10.9 ppg., 4.9 rpg.), and Sophomore, Uju Ezeudu (15.2 ppg., 6.4 rpg.).
Winner
There’s always one really good first-round game at this Tournament. I’m thinking it’s this one. Both teams shoot it well from deep and go on their own big runs throughout the game. Going out on a limb to say this one goes to OT! NDSU hits some clutch free-throws at the end of OT to pull away.
NDSU by 1-5.
SEMIFINALS
No. 1 South Dakota State vs. No. 5 Western Illinois
Head-to-head
South Dakota State won both matchups against Western Illinois to kick-off Summit League play this season. The Jackrabbits won the first game 71-61, and the second game 87-66.
Players to watch
South Dakota State: Paiton Burkhard and Tylee Irwin.
Western Illinois: Grace Gilmore and Elizabeth Lutz (9.2 ppg., 2.6 apg.).
Winner
I don’t want to say this is a trap game for SDSU, but this could be a trap game for SDSU. I expect a potentially low-scoring first half with both teams struggling to make a shot. Jackrabbits ultimately find their rhythm in the second half and pull away from the Leathernecks.
SDSU by 10-15.
No. 2 South Dakota vs. No. 3 North Dakota State
Head-to-head
South Dakota won both matchups against NDSU last weekend. The Yotes won the first game 82-81, and the second game 81-61.
Players to watch
South Dakota: Hannah Sjerven, Maddie Krull, Liv Korngable (14.5 ppg., 3.9 apg.)
North Dakota State: Heaven Hamling, Ryan Cobbins, Emily Dietz.
Winner
Get ready for a 3-point barrage because both teams are going to shoot a lot of threes in this game. Ultimately, USD gets to the free-throw line more by utilizing the post and by driving to the hoop. Free-throws are the difference in this one.
USD by 10-15.
CHAMPIONSHIP
No.1 South Dakota State vs. No.2 South Dakota
Preview
You know, part of me thinks this is one of those crazy years where either one or both South Dakota schools lose in the semifinals, especially since the overall level of talent in the league this year is far better than years past (in my opinion). The gap is closing ever so slightly, but until a team can really convince us they can beat these mid-major powerhouses, I will continue to pick them to make it to the Tuesday matinee. Unfortunately, we once will not get a true rematch of these two teams. Injuries will again keep these two stacked rosters from playing full-strength against one another; SDSU with Myah Selland and Tori Nelson, and USD with Monica Arens. While I will miss the amazing crowd that always comes with this game at the Denny, I think we will once again be treated to an amazing college basketball game at The Pentagon.
Head-to-head
SDSU won both meetings against USD in Brookings this year. The Jackrabbits won the first contest 64-45 and the second contest 80-75.
Players to watch
South Dakota State: Paiton Burkhard, Tylee Irwin, Lindsey Theuninck
South Dakota: Liv Korngable, Chloe Lamb, Hannah Sjerven, Maddie Krull
Summit League Champion
As I mentioned earlier, it’s really unfortunate these two teams won’t be able to play against each other at full-strength again. It’s been said that it’s tough to beat a team three times in a season, and I would agree with that here, especially with two of SDSU’s top players out of the lineup. I expect the Jackrabbits to hit more three-pointers and get out to a good start, but USD’s core group comes to play and dominates the second half.
USD wins by 5-10.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’d honestly be ecstatic if even some of this was to happen. I’m just glad we are able to have a tournament this year. What are your thoughts on the women’s bracket? Leave a comment below, or better yet, follow and tweet me your unbiased and/or biased thoughts! My women and men’s bracket are linked just below here.
Follow Jordan on Twitter: @JD6Ope5