Busting Brackets
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Summit League Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Jason Burgess

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA - FEBRUARY 16: A general view shows a game between the North Dakota State Bison and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Scheels Center on February 16, 2019 in Fargo, North Dakota. The Jackrabbits defeated the Bison 78-77. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA - FEBRUARY 16: A general view shows a game between the North Dakota State Bison and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Scheels Center on February 16, 2019 in Fargo, North Dakota. The Jackrabbits defeated the Bison 78-77. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – DECEMBER 19: Emmanuel Nzekwesi #23 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – DECEMBER 19: Emmanuel Nzekwesi #23 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Quarterfinals 

No. 1 North Dakota State vs. No. 8 Denver

In the first quarterfinal, the top-seeded North Dakota State Bison take on the Denver Pioneers. The Bison earned a season sweep with a pair of double-digit wins. In the first meeting, the two teams were tied at the half and then the Bison only allowed 22 second-half points and Denver shot just 32% from the field. In the rematch, Denver shot much better, but North Dakota State jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never trailed in the game.

The problem for Denver against the Bison is, focusing their defense on one or two players has been unsuccessful. In the two games, four different players have scored in double figures, and two of them, Rocky Kreuser and Cameron Hunter had double-doubles. But, the first order of business needs to be finding a way to slow down senior guard Vinnie Shahid who averaged 24 points and four rebounds in the two games against Denver. I don’t think Denver can find the magic potion in this one either and the top-seeded Bison should move on rather easily.

Prediction: North Dakota State 75, Denver 60

No. 4 Oral Roberts vs. No. 5 Omaha

The second quarterfinal will see fourth-seeded Oral Roberts battle the fifth-seeded Omaha Mavericks. The two teams split the season series with each team winning on their home floor, in Tulsa, the Golden Eagles held off Omaha in overtime 81-78 led by Kevin Obanor’s monster 24-point 15-rebound effort. In Omaha, the Mavericks erased an eight-point halftime deficit and had four players in double-figures.

The problem I see for Omaha is, in their victory, they shot 51% from the field but still trailed at halftime had a -2 rebound margin in the season series. The two teams are evenly matched and I expect this one to be close as well, but I think Oral Roberts wins the rubber match to move on to the semifinals.

Prediction: Oral Roberts 77, Omaha 71

No. 3 South Dakota vs. No. 6 North Dakota

The South Dakota Coyotes swept the season series with the No. 6 North Dakota Fighting Hawks, winning by 14 on the road and 10 at home. The offense hasn’t been a problem for the third-seeded Coyotes against North Dakota, averaging just under 80 points per game and shooting over 50% from the field in the two games. The Coyotes came within one point of having all five starters in double figures in both games, with Cody Kelley scoring nine in the first matchup. On top of that, the Fighting Hawks committed 35 turnovers against South Dakota this season, not doing themselves any favors. I don’t see the North Dakota defense figuring out the Coyotes’ offense in their third meeting.

Prediction: South Dakota 81, North Dakota 69

No. 2 South Dakota State vs. No. 7 Fort Wayne

The final quarterfinal will see No. 2 South Dakota State battling No. 7 Fort Wayne. The Jackrabbits swept the season series over the Mastodons and did so with a pair of dominant halves. In their 75-64 home win, they actually trailed by 10 at the half and outscored Fort Wayne by 21 in the second half to win going away. In Fort Wayne, South Dakota State jumped out to a 20-point halftime lead and went on to win by nine, 70-61.

Even though this is a No. 2 vs. No. 7 matchup, the three-point line was a big difference-maker in this series, where a leveling towards season averages could make a big difference. The Mastodons don’t shoot the long ball well, at just over 31%, but against South Dakota State they shot it at just 19%. South Dakota State shoots the three at just under 35% on the year but shot 38% against Fort Wayne.

But it is not just the three-pointer that needs improvement for Fort Wayne, they also need to find a way to slow down the trio of Matt Dentlinger, Douglas Wilson and David Wingett who have scored 96 points against Fort Wayne. I think this one might be a bit closer than some expect, but in the end, South Dakota State will move on.

Prediction: South Dakota State 73, Fort Wayne 67