Today’s first look at a Summit League. Today North Dakota
Losses
F A’Jahni Levias to Cal State Los Angeles
G Jalun Trent to Delaware
G Reid Grant to SW Minnesota Crookston
G Caleb Nero to Central Missouri
F Mitchell Sueker graduation
G Matt Norman graduation
Coming into the previous two seasons, one of the major storylines has been the losses that North Dakota suffered. That is not the case this offseason. Really none of the losses in the portal were major contributors last season. Sueker who was lost to graduation was a regular contributor last year, but it seems Sueker would be unlikely to crack this season’s starting lineup. Sophomore Jalun Trent showed some promise last season, and the raw talent was clear. Trent is the only transfer to move on to a Division 1 team this season. When reviewing the losses from this season it really doesn’t seem any of those players would be a mainstay in the rotation this season outside of Trent. Coach Paul Sather has to be excited about the lack of turnover this season and the talent on this year’s roster.
Additions
G Eli King from Iowa State
G Tyree Ihenacho from James Madison
F Amar Kuljuhovic from Lake Land (JUCO)
F Deng Mayer from Howard (JUCO)
G Zach Kraft freshman
F Ryan Erikson freshman
F Matthew Bothun freshman
G Anthony Doppler freshman
By far the most fascinating storyline in the Summit League is the return of Tyree Ihenacho to Grand Forks. After being named Summit League Freshman of the Year two years ago, Ihenacho transferred to James Madison. In his freshman year, Ihenacho showed many of the attributes of a potential future Summit League star on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and his loss was tough for North Dakota. Yet two years later in a shocking twist Ihenacho returns. On the court, Ihenacho brings a versatile guard who not only showed scoring prowess but averaged over 4 rebounds and 4 assists as a freshman. Honestly, I find the off-the-court story more intriguing. When you have a player that had success in his freshman year, it’s reasonable to assume the North Dakota staff was planning on building around him. To find out he was leaving had to be a gut punch. Here’s what I find fascinating. I do a lot of conflict resolution stuff at work and I could tell you story after story of small things that destroyed relationships because of our inability to communicate. So to have a player return after two years ago the relationship had to be damaged is amazing. The moral of that story, how you handle times of conflict can make a major difference in your life. I can tell you we would love to chat with Tyree on the podcast.
King transfers after 1 season at Iowa State. King only played in 9 games last year, but immediately is one of the highest-rated recruits to ever join North Dakota. A former top 200 recruit who was ranked as the number 27 combo guard in his class by 247 Sports. King will be counted on to add immediate backcourt impact for North Dakota. Kuljuhovic is expected to provide impact on the block and Mayer has length and athleticism on the wing and inside. Bothun seems to be the highest-rated of the freshman and Erikson brings in another big body. There is more depth on this year’s North Dakota squad so minutes may be harder to come by for the freshmen than in past years.
Todd’s First Thought
A late season run by last year’s Fighting Hawks team seemed to turn around the fortunes of the program. One that mid-way through conference season last year seemed to be headed towards a rebuild may have had the best offseason of any Summit League Program. As was mentioned above some real talent was brought into the program, but not just that. 4 of the top 5 contributors of last year’s team all returned. North Dakota badly needed ball handlers and brought in two good ones with King and Ihenacho. They also added 3 players 6’9 or taller. Add one year of experience to freshmen standouts BJ Omot and Treyson Eaglestaff and Veteran big Tsotne Tsartsidze and this could be a turnaround year. I do think it’s safe to say there is the most talent on a Paul Sather North Dakota team.
North Dakota should be fighting for a jump in the standings this season, maybe even a top 4 finish.