It has been a week of playing high major opponents and excellent showings by Summit League teams. Overall the Summit went 1-6 against high major teams, but of the 6 losses 5 were by single digits and Summit League teams were double-digit underdogs (at least) in all of those games. If you were betting with Summit League teams this week against high majors they made you some money. I won’t pretend I know what this means in regards to where the conference ranks among mid-major conferences but it certainly showed the Summit can play with the big boys. If you didn’t get the chance to catch the action, I have good news for you. That is what I am here for.
Kansas State 62 Kansas City 58
Kansas City never led in this game and yet there is reason for optimism here. The most impressive thing was the Roos just never quit and there was reason to early. K-State jumped on Kansas City early and it looked like none of us would blame KC for packing their bags. Kansas State jumped out 17-0 to start the game and yet Kansas City just kept chipping away. Always seemed to be Kansas City players with a hand on a ball, an offensive rebound. KC finished with 10 steals and 8 offensive boards. Brandon McKissic was the most impressive offensively with 24 points and 4 made threes and Franck Kamgain was Mr. Hustle with 4 steals and 3 offensive boards. Interesting that Coach Billy Donlon only played 8 players in the game.
Nebraska 76 South Dakota 69
What is maybe the most impressive part of this performance for USD is the fact that it was a complete turnaround from their first two games of the year. Those who follow the Coyotes closely know that there was a large amount of roster turnover for the Yotes. This was very evident in the first two games. In-game 3 it looked like this team had played together for a couple of years. South Dakota trailed by seven at the half and led for the first 10 minutes. Then in the 2nd half, it looked like the good vibes were gone as the Nebraska lead ballooned to 18. Yet the Yotes clawed back led by A.J. Plitzuweit’s big second half and closed the game losing by 7. This was the game where Stanley Umude looked like the all-league guard we know him to be. Umude had 23pts 11reb and 5 assists and maybe most importantly 0 turnovers. Umude looked in control and confident. Along with Umude A.J., Plitzuweit added 24 and Xavier Fuller gave the Yotes good energy off the bench collecting 6 rebounds.
Wichita State 85 Oral Roberts 80
In a game that was back and forth the entire time, Wichita State outlasts Oral Roberts. Oral Roberts trailed by one with less than 2 minutes left and had some chances in those last two minutes but 3 pointers by Abmas and Obanor didn’t fall. What Summit fans did see is why this ORU team can beat anyone in the Summit. Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor were both unstoppable at times. Abmas knocking down 6 three-pointers on his way to 28pts and Obanor scored inside and out on his way to 27pts. There might not be another pair of scorers as capable of scoring one on one in the Summit as Obanor and Abmas. Another interesting thing in this game was Deshang Weaver played only 10 minutes. Weaver who sat out last season with an injury does not seem to be all the way back physically from the injury. Does not look like the same player from his freshman year.