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Summit League basketball: 2018 Conference Tournament preview

By Nolan Schmidt

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 16: Mike Daum is the best player in the Summit League, and one of the best players overall in the country. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 16: Mike Daum is the best player in the Summit League, and one of the best players overall in the country. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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FORT WAYNE, IN – NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Jon Coffman of the Fort Wayne Mastodons is seen during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Coliseum on November 22, 2016 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Ft Wayne defeated Indiana 71-68 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
FORT WAYNE, IN – NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Jon Coffman of the Fort Wayne Mastodons is seen during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Coliseum on November 22, 2016 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Ft Wayne defeated Indiana 71-68 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Predicting the Summit League tournament

#1 South Dakota State vs #8 Western Illinois

Listen, Western Illinois has some supreme talent, but they are undisciplined and downright hard to watch at times. Most notably on the defensive end, the Leathernecks are abysmal which does not help their chances as they square up with the buzzsaw that is South Dakota State.

Prediction: South Dakota State

#2 South Dakota vs #7 Omaha

The Coyotes won both games in convincing fashion during the regular season. Omaha also comes into this game riding a four game losing streak. The Mavericks just do not have the firepower beyond Zach Jackson to compete with South Dakota’s defense.

Prediction: South Dakota

#3 Denver vs #6 Oral Roberts

As referenced earlier, Denver comes into this game against Oral Roberts having won their last four games. The Golden Eagles have floundered since starting the conference season hot though. To finish the season, they have dropped three of their last four. The Pioneers won the two meetings in the regular season with the last match-up being a one point contest.

Prediction: Denver

#4 Fort Wayne vs #5 North Dakota State

The Mastodons have beaten the Bison twice this regular season and rounded out their season winning two of three. Both squads are really inconsistent, but the fact that Fort Wayne has two victories over NDSU already seems to give them the advantage. I love Paul Miller, but I do not trust the rest of the Bison roster.

Prediction: Fort Wayne