Summit League Basketball: Power ranking the conference (v.3)
As the Summit League basketball season starts to take unfold, it is time to rank the league once again. Who sits atop the conference this time?
Last week was a time for a few Summit League teams to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. The two I speak of in particular are South Dakota and South Dakota State. By week’s end, only one of those programs had accomplished this goal. The Jackrabbits took care of business in both of their conference games while the Coyotes split their two. South Dakota had the opportunity to substantiate their claim as the best team in the conference. Yet, that thought was foiled when they lost to North Dakota State on Saturday.
The Jackrabbits now seem to be in the driver’s seat of the conference as league play picks up tonight. Thursday will feature all eight Summit League teams and Saturday will see seven teams take the hardwood. With the bevy of conference match-ups on the docket, it is sure to be a fun weekend in the Summit League.
To Omaha’s credit, the one game they did play last week was against the best team in the conference in South Dakota State. While Zach Jackson‘s 29-point, six-rebound performance was impressive, it was not even close to enough to even compete with the Jackrabbits. It has become quite clear that Jackson is the only reliable option offensively for the Mavericks right now.
The bigger issue is the lack of defensive prowess Omaha has shown recently. South Dakota State hung 101 points on the Mavericks and shot 57% from the floor, including 54% from three. This is without mentioning that every South Dakota State starter scored in double figures.
Even more worrisome is the abysmal rebounding rate the Mavericks exhibit. The team averages 35 rebounds per game, but against South Dakota State they only hauled in 25 rebounds. That is a wildly low mark, regardless of the opponent.
On the bright side, Omaha has a winnable game against a struggling Western Illinois team next. The Mavericks may not be the favorite in that game, but a win may provide some much-needed momentum. Especially since Fort Wayne awaits them on Saturday evening.