Yesterday we posted the Summit All-Breakout 1st team so let’s refresh your memory of that team.
G Bentiu Panoam, North Dakota
G La’Mel Robinson, Omaha
G Xavier Fuller, South Dakota
F Grant Nelson, North Dakota State
F Tasos Kamateros, South Dakota
As a reminder in order to qualify the player needed to play in the Summit League last season and typically under 10 points per game last season.
Summit All-Breakout 2nd Team
G Caleb Nero, North Dakota
Things never seemed to quite click for Nero last season. Nero came in with a decent reputation as he transferred from Weber State. For whatever reason just didn’t quite reach the level many were expecting. Nero comes back for another year with the Fighting Hawks with likely a larger role awaiting him. Nero averaged only 22 minutes a game last year, but expect those minutes to go up this season. Nero has always been a solid shooter averaging 34% from behind the arc for his career but reports out of Grand Forks are he’s shooting it well and will have more shots available to him this season. It’s reasonable that Nero’s production goes up 30% from last year.
G JJ Flores, Western Illinois
Flores missed most of last season, but once he entered the Western Illinois lineup he provided instant energy. On a team that at times struggled with defensive intensity, Flores brought it on a regular basis. The Leathernecks brought in 3 backcourt transfers so there is debate whether Flores minutes will increase from last season. I just tend to think that Flores energy is the type of thing Coach Rob Jeter was looking for last season. It’s a real possibility that Flores clocks in at least 20 minutes per game this year.
F Tristan Green, Denver
There has been a ton of change on Denver’s roster this year, but Green is one of the few returnees this season. Green has seen time in the starting lineup, starting 12 games last year. However, this season Green is likely to start day one in the Denver frontcourt. Green is a solid athlete, rebounder, and can score in the block and outside. Denver is going to need Green to step up this season while they wait for their young post players to develop. It’s not hard to envision Green averaging 10 points, and 7 rebounds this season.
F Elijah Lufile, Oral Roberts
I’ll be honest, this pick is partially made with my heart. Lufile has gone through quite a lot in the last year. Lufile sat out last year and there was a time where his basketball future was unknown. So if I am being honest, I am pushing for Lufile to succeed because it would be a fantastic story. However, this isn’t just heart. The void left by Kevin Obanor leaves opportunities for others. As the Golden Eagles look for size and rebounding, Lufile if fully healthy can give both of those. In only 15 minutes per game 2 years ago, Lufile averaged 5.6 points and 5.3 rebounds. Lufile has proven that he is a talented rebounder but will be in a battle for minutes with holdovers Deshang Weaver and Francis Lacis, along with highly touted freshmen Sir Issac Herron. 
F Mitchell Sueker, North Dakota
Coach Paul Sather needs his veteran returners to step up this season, and in the frontcourt in steps Sueker. Sueker started half the games last season and it seems likely he steps into a much larger role this season. Not only do the minutes likely go up this season but I think there’s reason to believe that the production goes up in those minutes as well. One reason to believe that is Sueker’s production from behind the arc this season. Sueker shot 26% from behind the arc last season, and as odd as it sounds the shot looks too natural to continue at that clip. Sueker averaged 6 shots per game last year and that likely looks more like 10 this season. It’s likely Sueker is a double-digit scorer with an uptick in rebounding this season.