Summit League: Conference Tournament Preview

Begins: March 7

Championship Game: March 10
Television Coverage: Midco Sport Network, ESPN2
Tournament Bracket: http://thesummitleague.org/sports/mbkb/2014-15/files/15_MBB_Bracket.pdf


Overview:

The Summit League has been all about the Dakotas this season. North Dakota St. and South Dakota St. finished atop the standings at 12-4 while South Dakota finished 5th at 9-7. During the non-conference schedule, the Summit struggled against other conferences going 1-25 against the RPI Top 100. The lone victory was Oral Roberts defeating Tulsa. The Summit League also struggled in true road games in the non-conference and in conference going 43-87. The conference tournament champion will be the only guaranteed entry into the NCAA tournament, which should make for a competitive and wide open championship. Here is a look at few teams with the best chance to win the Summit League conference tournament.

Favorite to Win Tournament: South Dakota St. Jackrabbits (21-9, 12-4)

South Dakota St. went 5-3 against the other top five teams in the Summit. All three losses were on the road. The conference tournament is being played in Sioux Falls, South Dakota meaning that the Jackrabbits fan base will need to represent well to provide a home atmosphere where South Dakota St. has thrived going 13-0. The Jackrabbits have the second best scoring offense in conference and have good percentages from the field and three-point line. If South Dakota St. can continue to play efficient offensively and the Jackrabbits fan base shows up strong, South Dakota St. should be the favorite to win the Summit conference tournament.

Most Likely to Upset Favorite: North Dakota St. Bison (20-9, 12-4)

North Dakota St. thrived at home this season going 14-0, including a 4-0 record at home against the other top five teams in the Summit. The Bison went 0-4 on the road against those teams. If North Dakota St. wants to win the conference tournament, the Bison will need to overcome their road woes to run the table and represent the Summit League in the NCAA tournament for the second season in a row. The Bison upset Oklahoma in the first round last season.

Dark Horse to Win Tournament: South Dakota Coyotes (16-15, 9-7)

South Dakota struggled early in the season going 3-8 during their non-conference schedule. The Coyotes finished strong going 13-7 including winning five of their last six games going into the Summit conference tournament. South Dakota is one of only two teams in the Summit to defeat both North Dakota St. and South Dakota St. The Coyotes should have a good chance to play spoiler in the conference tournament especially since it is being held only an hour away from campus. If the South Dakota fan base can create a road environment for other Summit teams, the Coyotes should thrive in the conference tournament and make their first NCAA tournament appearance.

Expected Tournament Bid(s): Conference Tournament Winner

The Summit League only has one team in the RPI Top 100 (South Dakota St.), but the Jackrabbits do not have a chance at an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament. If North Dakota St. or South Dakota St. can win the Summit conference tournament, they should be a 15 seed in the NCAA tournament giving them an outside chance for an upset. If anyone else from the Summit League wins the conference tournament, they will likely be a 16 seed with a tough first round opponent.