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NCAA Basketball: 2023 Summit League Tournament preview, predictions

Nov 14, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Oral Roberts Golden Eagles guard Max Abmas (3) sets the play during the first half against the Houston Cougars at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Oral Roberts Golden Eagles guard Max Abmas (3) sets the play during the first half against the Houston Cougars at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball South Dakota State Jackrabbits head coach Eric Henderson (right) talks with guard Zeke Mayo Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball South Dakota State Jackrabbits head coach Eric Henderson (right) talks with guard Zeke Mayo Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

First Round

8 Denver Pioneers vs. 9 North Dakota Fighting Hawks

These two have been trending in different directions over the last several weeks, with North Dakota finishing strong and Denver flailing. Although, the Pioneers did win their final two games before this one, and I love the offensive balance this team displays. Neither team is expected to light up the scoreboard, but I’ll take Denver and their star guard, Tommy Bruner, who leads the team in both points and assists.

Denver wins

7 Kansas City Roos vs. 10 Omaha Mavericks

If you’re looking for a reason to tune into this first-round game, watch Kansas City’s backcourt on defense. They feature two of the best on-ball defenders in the Summit in Shemarri Allen and Anderson Kopp, both of who average multiple steals per game. Those two should help stifle a Maverick offense that has been ice-cold as of late.

Kansas City wins

Quarterfinals

1 Oral Roberts Golden Eagles vs. 8 Denver Pioneers

Oral Roberts smacked around Denver both teams the two squared off during the regular season, including a 102-61 throttling in their most recent contest. The Pioneers simply have no answer for Max Abmas and company, but something tells me he won’t have to be playing much of the second half in this one.

Oral Roberts wins

2 South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. 7 Kansas City Roos

Zeke Mayo is the heart-and-soul of the Jackrabbits, an explosive sophomore guard who leads the team in just about category. He should be awfully fired up for this meeting with the Roos; Kansas City held him in check during their last game, at least by his usual standards. Turnovers were the big headache for Mayo last time, so something tells me he’ll be extra prepared. Even with Mayo’s off performance in their last meeting, SDSU won, and I suspect they’ll do the same here.

South Dakota State wins

3 North Dakota State Bison vs. 6 South Dakota Coyotes

Although South Dakota has spent most of the season near the cellar of the Summit League standings, they actually beat NDSU in their last matchup, 71-62. However, it felt more like a fluke than anything else, as the Coyotes lost their next five games. As long as the Bison can find their stroke from downtown, a major issue in their previous defeat, I don’t see them dropping their tournament opener.

North Dakota State wins

4 Western Illinois Leathernecks vs. 5 St. Thomas Tommies

Western Illinois may feature the best player on the court in Trenton Massner, but St. Thomas has had his number this season. In fact, Massner went just 4-18 from the field in their last game, a loss. Combine that with the fact the Leathernecks as a whole have been struggling as of late, I like the chances for St. Thomas. The key will be crashing the boards; they’ve been out-rebounded far too often throughout the regular season.

St. Thomas wins