Greg Smith-US PRESSWIRE
Another year of college basketball is quickly approaching and in preparation, Rant Sports College Basketball Network Manager Paul Seaver will be breaking down and predicting the outcomes of each conference across the country.
Today, we look at the Summit League:
Oral Roberts is gone, but one team continues to stand out in 2012-13. The defending Summit League Tournament champions are back with the league’s preseason Player of the Year and that’s bad news for the rest of the conference. South Dakota State, led by back court star Nate Wolters is the clear favorite heading into the season, as they look for back-to-back appearances in the Big Dance.
An improving North Dakota State team should also be in the hunt this year, while Oakland and head coach Greg Kampe continue to provide a consistent threat near the top of the conference standings.
While much of the league may appear to be wide open in 2012-13, the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State are undoubtedly the team to beat. Can anyone surprise them for conference supremacy or will one of the nation’s more dangerous mid-major squads reign supreme?
Summit League Predictions:
1. South Dakota State
2. North Dakota State
3. Oakland
4. Fort Wayne
5. Western Illinois
6. IUPUI
7. Kansas City
8. South Dakota
9. Nebraska-Omaha
First Team All-Summit League Predictions:
G Nate Wolters, Sr., South Dakota State
G Frank Gaines, Sr., Fort Wayne
G Ceola Clark III, Sr., Western Illinois
F Taylor Braun, Jr., North Dakota State
F Jordan Dykstra, Jr., South Dakota State
Summit League Player of the Year Prediction:
Nate Wolters, Sr., South Dakota State
Coach of the Year Prediction:
Scott Nagy, South Dakota State
Newcomer of the Year Prediction:
Duke Mondy, Jr., Oakland
Last Team to Win NCAA Tournament Game:
2005- Oakland in Play-in Game
Be sure to follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @TheArenaPulse
