It’s starting to feel a little more like basketball season, ladies and gentlemen. On October 14, the Summit League announced some scheduling notes for the upcoming 2020-21 season. They did not announce the best players at each position, however. Let’s take a look at the top players and build the best lineup for the upcoming season.
2020-21 #SummitMBB and #SummitWBB schedule notes:
🏀 16-game schedule
🏀 Teams will play each other twice at one site
🏀 Games will be held on back-to-back days
🏀 Each team receives a bye
🏀 Full schedules will be released later
🏀 It's 2020, so everything is subject to change— Summit Hoops (@SummitHoops) October 14, 2020
Guard: Stanley Umude (6’6, Sr.), South Dakota
Stanley Umude made headlines mid-April by entering the transfer portal. Less then a month later, Umude announced he was staying in Coyote red. The San Antonio, Texas native is an athletic guard that averaged 16.7 points per game, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Umude earned Summit League second-team honors in 2019-20 and scored 20 or more points nine times. Umude has developed his 3-point game more in the last few seasons and while his assists stats aren’t super high, he does have good court vision. Umude is a guy you want in your lineup and brings a type of swagger to the USD team.
Guard: Jase Townsend (6’3, Jr.), Denver
One of the most talented underclassmen last season, Jase Townsend finished eighth in the league with 16.9 points per game. The sharpshooting, quick guard has some of the best handles in the Summit League and can quickly change the momentum of a game with his 3-point shooting. The Dallas, Texas native was 10th in the league in made 3-pointers and drilled a season-high eight in mid-January. By the end of his career with the Pioneers, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Townsend win a Player of the Year award. He’s got the green light from anywhere on the floor and still has two seasons in the league.
Forward: Douglas Wilson (6’7, Sr.), South Dakota State
South Dakota State senior Douglas Wilson had an unforgettable first season in the Summit League. After transferring from Kirkwood Community College, Wilson quickly became the go-to guy from the Jackrabbits. The Des Moines, Iowa native won both the Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards. He also made the All-Summit league first-team after averaging 18.6 points per game and 6.4 rebounds. Wilson plays mostly inside the arc — he attempted five 3-point field goals last season — but his touch around the rim and athletic ability make him tough to guard. He shot 63 percent from the field in 29 games as a junior and scored 20 points or more in 12 contests. Wilson impacts the game in an unselfish way and that’s what makes him a must-have in the lineup.
Forward: Filip Rebraca (6’9, Jr.), North Dakota
Filip Rebraca put his name in the North Dakota record books as a sophomore last season. His 13 double-doubles were the most by a UND player in a single season during its Division-I era and his 15 career double-doubles rank him second for the most in the last 12 years. The Sombor, Serbia native averaged 14.3 points per game in 2019-20 and 8.9 rebounds, which was third highest in the league. Rebraca is a player you want on your team but hate to play against and is one of the two best rebounders in the league. What makes Rebraca a must-have player in your lineup is he brings energy to the court and has the athletic ability to play inside out.
Center: Matt Pile (6’8, Sr.), Omaha
Last season, Matt Pile recorded more rebounds than points in 11 games. The Wichita, Kan., native averaged a league-high 10 rebounds per game and 1.5 blocks as a junior en route to winning the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year reward. He also poured in 11.6 points per game and was the only Summit League student-athlete to average a double-double. In the final game of 2019-20, Pile hauled down 21 rebounds (six offensive) against Oral Roberts. What makes him so special is he’s willing to do the dirty things. He lives in the trenches and isn’t afraid to take one for his team. Every lineup needs a player like Pile.
pile. not pill.
Solid team.
Rocky Krueser NDSU 6th man?