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Summit League Basketball: Tournament preview and predictions

By Doug Winkey

Mar 10, 2015; Sioux Falls, SD, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Spencer Eliason (30) celebrates their win against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the championship game of the Summit League Conference at Denny Sanford Premier Center. The North Dakota State Bison beat the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 57-56. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2015; Sioux Falls, SD, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Spencer Eliason (30) celebrates their win against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the championship game of the Summit League Conference at Denny Sanford Premier Center. The North Dakota State Bison beat the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 57-56. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; North Dakota State Bison head coach David Richman talks to guard Khy Kabellis (13) in the first half against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Reed Green Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; North Dakota State Bison head coach David Richman talks to guard Khy Kabellis (13) in the first half against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Reed Green Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

5. North Dakota State Bison

Last year’s Summit champ took a step back this year, finishing fifth at 8-8 in league play. The Bison play IUPUI in the coin-flip 4/5 game. If they win that game they will play the winner of IPFW-South Dakota in the semifinals.

NDSU is 151st in KenPom, 224th AdjO, 93rd AdjD, and 143rd in RPI. The Bison are slow and not especially efficient compared to two years ago when they upset Oklahoma.

Paul Miller, A.J. Jacobson, and Kory Brown are the three double digit scoring leaders for the team. The squad combines to shoot 45/34/67 from all areas.

The Bison rely on a defense ranked in the top 30 in points allowed on ESPN on top of their top 100 adjusted defense. One thing to note: Miller has been out since February 4th with a knee injury, but could return for their first round game on Sunday.

The Bison definitely have the experience to push past the Jaguars toward the semifinals. The five returning contributors from last year’s NCAA team means that this team knows what it takes to win tough games on big stages.

The problem is that this team can’t score at the same rate to keep up with high-powered offenses. If they want to beat IPFW or their opponent in the finals, their defense will have to be superb and they will have to hope for a cold night from the other team’s scorers. They’ll play the Mastodons tough, but I still see a loss in a close, low-scoring semifinal game.

Next: 4: IUPUI Jaguars