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Mid-major Basketball: Preseason Top-25 power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 1, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Mitchell (11) dribbles while defended by Utah State Aggies forward Justin Bean (34) during the first half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Mitchell (11) dribbles while defended by Utah State Aggies forward Justin Bean (34) during the first half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mid-major basketball South Dakota State Jackrabbits Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /

18. South Dakota State Jackrabbits

One of the biggest surprises last season was South Dakota State, who despite losing arguably the best player in program history in Mike Daum, and head coach T.J. Otzelberger plus 20 ppg scorer David Jenkins Jr. to UNLV, remained at the top of the Summit League.

New head coach David Henderson proved to be a great replacement and he scorer with former JUCO forward Douglas Wilson. He led the Jackrabbits with 18.7 ppg and 6.4 rpg and made 63% of his field-goal attempts last season. He was the Summit League Player of the Year and biggest impact JUCO player in the entire 2019 class.

Wilson isn’t the only key returning player, as the team returns each of its top six from the 22-win squad. Noah Freidel and Matt Dentlinger, who each scored 12.2 ppg last season are coming back, along with David Wingett, Alex Arians, and Baylor Scheierman. Tray Buchanan, who averaged over six points a game in just 12 games, will be back to provide more depth as well.

If Nebraska guard transfer Charlie Easley can provide any production this season, it’ll only cement South Dakota State as the heavy favorite in the Summit League. Between the talent, experience, and the return of Conference Player of the Year in Wilson, expect the Jackrabbits to continue thriving in 2021.

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