Seems easy enough right? Douglas Wilson returns for his senior season after winning the player of the year award last year. Let’s dig into the five players I believe could make a run at the award this year.
Douglas Wilson (SR) South Dakota State
It’s hard to find reasons Wilson won’t be a repeat winner of the award in 2020-21. In his first year in Brookings Wilson was almost unstoppable in the post. His elite quickness, explosiveness, and finishing was a combination tough for opponents to stop down low. This led to the 6’7 210 lb Wilson shooting almost 63% from the field and averaging 18.6 ppg and 6.4 rpg. Also, Wilson seemed to gain momentum the second half of the year and there did not seem to be many occasions where opponents had figured out how to stop him. So the question remains what reasons would there be that Wilson doesn’t repeat? I think there is a scenario that Wilson shares more of the scoring load with teammates. All 5 starters and 8 players who averaged double-digit minutes return. Maybe Junior Forward Matt Dentlinger or Sophomore guard Noah Freidel increase their output decreasing Wilson’s. In other words, there is a lot of talent on this team that might not have to rely as heavily on Wilson.
Stanley Umude (SR) South Dakota
The Coyotes Swiss Army knife returns after receiving All-Summit Second Team honors last year. Umude is an elite Summit talent and does a little bit of everything. Last year the 6’6 210lb guard averaged 16.7ppg 6.3 rpg over 2 assists and over a block a game. Given the production the Coyotes lost from last year it’s easy to see Umude increasing those impressive numbers this season. It’s easy to envision Umude putting up over 15 shots per game which would likely increase those numbers. While there is a scenario that Umude leads the Summit in scoring the question that I think will answer where Umude finishes in the player of the year race is directly related to where South Dakota finishes in the standings. The Coyotes are very excited about the redshirts and other additions joining the team and some experts have them finishing in the top 3 of the Summit. A top 3 finish puts Umude right in the conversation.
Jase Townsend (JR) Denver
Wait a player on a team that won 3 league games last year is a candidate for player of the year? Well, I would say that the leagues leading scorer is always a candidate for player of the year, and I think Townsend will be that player this year. The junior guard averaged 16.9 ppg and 5.3 rpg as a sophomore. There’s reason to believe that Townsend’s shot volume will go up given the 6’3 guard shot 48% from the field and 37% from 3 if he can remain efficient with increased shot volume Townsend can lead the league in scoring. Now if Denver does not improve dramatically in the win column it’s unlikely Townsend is considered for player of the year regardless of his scoring average.
Kevin Obanor
If you follow me on Twitter you are likely aware that I have been advocating for Obanor for the last two years. I may even be a bit biased because I want my predictions of him to come true. However, if there is a Summit League player with the best chance to play minutes in the NBA it’s Obanor. Few will argue Obanor’s talent, the 6’8 225 lb Obanor has similar ability in the post to SDSU’s Wilson while shooting 38% from behind the arc. Many will counter by bringing up the frequency that talent shines. Last year Obanor’s numbers were certainly not something that even suggests a player of the year candidate. Obanor averaged 12.3 ppg and 6.8 rpg last year. Here’s where it gets interesting, Obanor averaged under 25 minutes per game last year and just over 8 shots per game. Given the loss of Emmanuel Nzekwesi and Deondre Burns, both the minutes and shots are bound to go up. Do Obanor’s minutes go up to near 30 per game and his shots go up to at least 12 per game? I think they do and if that’s the case I could easily see Obanor average or 18 points and 8 rebounds per game if not more. The problem with predicting Obanor player of the year is during his first two years there were times Obanor looks unstoppable and times you wonder if he got on the bus.
Noah Freidel (So) South Dakota State
Like Townsend and Obanor a bit of a dark horse candidate. Freidel has already shown elite ability to score the basketball. Freidel is most known for his ability to shoot from the perimeter. Last season Freidel shot just shy of 40% from behind the arc while averaging 12.2 ppg. One only has to think back to the last time South Dakota State played where Freidel put up 35 pts in a quarterfinal loss to now Horizon League member Purdue Fort Wayne to see his scoring ability. While I think Freidel being player of the year is a longshot, I think there is a chance he is the leading scorer on the best team in the Summit. Which increases his chances.
The Pick
Douglas Wilson
It’s really hard to pick against Wilson and think Wilson is the pick. Very hard to argue against the player most likely to be the best player on the team most likely to be the best team. It’s looking like the Jackrabbit will have the player of the year for the 5th consecutive year.