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Summit League Basketball: South Dakota State, Omaha tournament favorites

By Bryan Mauro

LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Derrin Hansen of the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks watches his team play against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half on December 18, 2017 at Allen Field House in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Derrin Hansen of the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks watches his team play against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half on December 18, 2017 at Allen Field House in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 17: Daniel Norl
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 17: Daniel Norl /

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South Dakota State

With players like Mike Daum, David Jenkins and other super senior Skyler Flatten it is easy to see why the team is the favorite every year. The tournament is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota which means the Jackrabbits are essentially playing at home. Having a trio that can impact a game the way the trio for South Dakota State can, means one of the three stars can have an off night. South Dakota State has a team who is capable of winning multiple games in the NCAA tournament if they qualify. Anytime a team has a player the caliber of Daum and a counterpart like Jenkins scoring will not be a problem.

Omaha

No matter what happens in the conference tournament Omaha is going to have the best season in their division 1 history. Even though the sample size is relatively small the 19 regular season wins are an improvement of 10 games from last season. Head coach Derrin Hansen will be in the running for the Summit League coach of the year. Omaha has a duo who is responsible for most of the production on their team as well.

The Mavericks are led by senior Zach Jackson in the backcourt and senior Mitch Hahn patrols the inside. Jackson and Hahn are going to do their best to lead their team to the NCAA tournament. With the current state of College Basketball in the state of Nebraska. Omaha has a chance to be the best program in the state. Entering the season that was unthinkable.

North Dakota State

The Bison are more known for their dominant football program, over their basketball program. Their basketball team is responsible for the only win the current makeup of the Summit League has in the NCAA tournament. That win over Oklahoma put the Summit League on the national landscape and since then, it has been a lot of the Jackrabbits and Bison. The Bison are a sleeper coming into this tournament. Coach David Richman has not had the season he was hoping for as the Bison enter the tournament at .500. It could turn into a magical season if the Bison can get hot and make their way to the NCAA tournament.