Okay so South Dakota State played 45, but you get the idea. I wanted to share 5 observations for each Summit League team based on what I watched on night number 1.
Denver
- Tevin Smith is going to be a Summit League star. Wait until the outside shot is deadly. Such a smooth player
- At 6’7 Tyree Corbett might just lead the Summit in rebounding. Is just relentless on the glass
- It’s only one game against a bad offensive team but much better on the defensive end which was the issue last year
- Touko Tainamo is too much under the radar
- 39 minutes for Tommy Bruner, who else can play lead guard? This could become a problem as the season progresses
Kansas City
- This team is really big. At their young age might be the definition of all airport team
- Rayquanwndis Mitchell is doing his best but he’s better off the ball and he’s the best lead guard
- This team will likely lead the league in turnovers in a landslide
- Allen Mukeba will have some special games during the season
- Shemarri Allen may be the Roos most important player
North Dakota
- Matt Norman didn’t start but will be a critical player this year, especially when they need scoring
- Scoring will be an issue, can they defend better than last year. Through one game looked good
- Starting year 3 of being convinced Caleb Nero will break out. May not even hold the starting lead guard spot
- Elijah Brooks and Jalun Trent are immediate size and athleticism upgrades from last year
- BJ Omot will probably end the year leading this team in scoring
North Dakota State
- With a ton of new pieces, Bison competed and showed why they’ll still find a way to be in the picture at the end of the year
- Grant Nelson foul trouble cannot happen, just too important to their offensive potential
- Boden Skunberg is likely the next NDSU player to take a leap with new opportunity
- Still not sure who of the new guards makes a big impact
- Lance Waddles is certainly willing to fire the basketball, likely has Richman’s confidence in spite of poor shooting night
Omaha
- Tough night against a really tough opponent but Frankie Fidler has the keys
- Luke Jungers seems to have the green light off the bench
- La’Mel Robinson seems to be out of the rotation behind the new guards
- Marquel Sutton and Jaeden Marshall will be heavily counted on
- Need to see them against a more comparable opponent to know more
Oral Roberts
- Can we hand Connor Vanover the block’s title right now. 6 in the opener.
- balanced scoring attack for the Golden Eagles. Abmas only 11 shots will likely be low for the season
- Tale of two halves, first poor defensively, second much better. The story too often for Oral Roberts
- Kareem Thompson and Carlos Jurgens are not at risk of losing their starting spots. Paul Mills sticks with his guys
- ORU really has a tough time with good defensive teams
South Dakota
- So great to see AJ Plitzuweit back on the court for the Coyotes
- Where does the frontcourt depth come from? Carcoana and Brostrom, 9 and 10 minutes respectively
- Kruz Perrot-Hunt with a great night as he fired up 20 shots
- Damani Hayes with the start. Coach Peterson has been raving about him and rewards him with a start
- Going back to it, but I don’t know how his team can consistently compete at the top of the league without more frontcourt help
South Dakota State
- William Kyle will have bumps as any freshmen does, but Jacks found a good one there
- balanced offense, I think it’s a theme this year
- Matt Mors is a Wisconsin transfer. Big name. Nothing jumped off the screen yesterday though
- Charlie Easley, Alex Arians, Matt Dentlinger just don’t get talked about enough. Help the Jacks win
- Really could have been a nice Summit League road win, tough to not get it
St. Thomas
- This team just constantly competes, have more bodies this year so probably not the drastic second half of the year fall off
- Andrew Rohde has been the most talked about of their freshmen, showed why
- Ahjany Lee will be just fine even though night 1 was rough
- Riley Miller will find a way this year like he did last. Best shooter in the Summit
- Will be a better year this year but Tommie fans may need to pump the breaks a little 7 or so spot finish likely
Western Illinois
- Alec Rosner out proving elite D2 players do big things at the division 1 level
- Trenton Massner will find a way to NBA minutes, does so many things well
- This team is so much better defensively than last year
- I’ve hinted at this but some of the lost talent from last year was addition by subtraction
- It will never be admitted but it seems like it got toxic last 3rd of last year, chemistry will be much better this year