Predictions
All games played at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD
Quarterfinals
(8) Western Illinois Leathernecks vs (1) South Dakota State Jackrabbits
03/09/2019 6:00 PM CST ESPN+
South Dakota State should have no trouble dispatching the Leathernecks. Western Illinois has struggled the entire season. The Leathernecks do have one of the best rim protectors in the country in center Brandon Gilbeck and have a good guard in Kobe Webster. Daum and company are going to be way to much for Western Illinois.
South Dakota State advances easily
(7) North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs (4) Omaha Mavericks
03/09/2019 8:30 PM CST ESPN +
This game should go similarly to the first one of the night. Omaha is going to be to much for the North Dakota basketball team who is in their first season in the Summit League. North Dakota lost their best player to transfer when Geno Crandall decided to leave for Gonzaga. Cortez Seales is now the go to guy for the Fighting Hawks. Jackson and Hahn are going to lead Omaha in this one.
Omaha advances easily
(5) Oral Roberts Eagles vs (4) North Dakota State Bison
03/10/2019 6:00 PM CST ESPN +
The winner of this game gets the wonderful prize of playing South Dakota State. Oral Roberts and North Dakota State should be the best game of the tournament as these two teams are evenly matched on paper. The Bison got the better of Oral Roberts in both meetings this season. It is hard to beat a team twice, and conference tournaments are always unpredictable.
North Dakota State Advances
(6) South Dakota Coyotes vs (3) Fort Wayne Mastodons
03/10/2019 8:30 PM CST ESPN+
South Dakota lost their coach Craig Smith to Utah State after last season. This year has not come with nearly the success that coach Smith had. South Dakota gets a reeling Mastodons team who enters the tournament playing their worst basketball of the season. Fort Wayne has lost 4 games in a row and it won’t get any easier against a capable Coyotes team.
South Dakota Advances
Semifinals
(4) North Dakota State Bison vs (1) South Dakota State Jackrabbits
03/11/2019 6:00 PM CST ESPN +
South Dakota State Advances
(6) South Dakota Coyotes vs (2) Omaha Mavericks
03/11/2019 8:30 PM CST ESPN +
Omaha Advances
Finals
(2) Omaha Mavericks vs (1) South Dakota State Jackrabbits
03/12/2019 8:00 PM CST ESPN2
Omaha Advances to the NCAA Tournament