NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 mid-major power rankings for 2022-23 season

16. South Dakota State Jackrabbits

2021-22 record: 30-5 (18-0 in Summit League)

It’s extremely rare for a program to have two different Conference Player of the Year guys on the same team. But Baylor Scheierman won the Summit League Player of the Year last season after averaging over 16 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 4.5 apg for the Jackrabbits. And the winner the year before was Douglas Wilson, who led the team in scoring. Both are gone, which normally would mean that the Jackrabbits would take a step back in the league. However, there are already a few players ready to break out into big roles of their own.

Zeke Mayo was highly impressive as a freshman, averaging 9.6 ppg and 2.1 apg while shooting 47% from the field, 41% from three-point range, and 93% from the free throw line. He managed a couple of 21-point efforts despite not being a focal point of the offense. Mayo is more than capable of being the No. 1 guy, as are returning starters, Charlie Easley and Alex Arians. And Luke Appel averaged 9.0 ppg in just 17 mpg so expect the 6’8 forward to have a much larger role this time around.

Luke also for Wisconsin transfer Matthew Mors to have an impact. The former four-star prospect didn’t play last season but gives South Dakota State more size inside and frontcourt depth. If he breaks out, then they easily can repeat as league champions.