Ryan Pravato of College Fast Break is the RTC correspondent for the Summit League.
Tourney Preview (Sioux Falls Arena)
Saturday Games:
(1) North Dakota St. vs. (8) Centenary
Centenary was outrebounded in their last meeting with NDSU by 22. Although Redus had a strong game, Adams and Stallings combined for just 16 points. Expect the same defensive play from the bigger, better guards of NDSU.
(2) Oral Roberts vs. (7) South Dakota St.
Home state advantage could make this a much tighter game than it is on paper. Jackrabbit forwards Anthony Cardova and Kai Williams, the only players taller than 6’5 to see regular minutes, must come up with huge games on the glass. If Ford and Lewis are not accounted for, it’s over.
Sunday Games:
(3) Oakland vs. (6) IPFW
The bend and break zone defense Oakland is known for would not be a wise strategy to implement against IPFW. On offense, Oakland needs to feed Will Hudson and Keith Benson early and often. IPFW might be able to out finesse you, but don’t let them get off easy on defense. Defense will win this game. Profound analysis, I know.
(4) IUPUI vs. (5) Southern Utah
Pick your poison with the Jags, 5 guys score at least 9 ppg. IUPUI handled the Thunderbirds in both games and Robert Glenn could not be bothered. Gary Patterson is as due for a big game as Jimmy Fallon is due for a new blindfold.
Looking ahead
- If Southern Utah advances it will make for an intriguing matchup with NDSU on Monday. The Thunderbirds beat NDSU on the road just a few weeks with a furious 2nd half rally. IUPUI would be no walk in the park either.
- Oakland and Oral Roberts are destined to meet in round 2. They split during the season even though Jarvis struggled and Jones flourished. Expect a good ol fashion barnburner. X-factor- Andre Hardy.
- Don’t miss the final Tuesday night at 7pm on ESPN2. The top 3 teams are so evenly matched there’s really no way to say any one of them is more capable than the other of puncturing Goliath in the jugular come round 1 of Christmas, March 19th.
Wrap Up
Awards came out on Thursday. Ben Woodside was pegged Player of the Year and rightly so, he’s arguably the most irreplaceable player out there. Not often you can find a scoring point guard who distributes the ball as well as Woodside.
The top 3 clubs swept up the six First Team slots (never understood why 6 instead of 5). Both Oral Roberts selections were stretches, 2nd teamers Keith Benson and Robert Glenn deserve those spots. Keith Benson led the league in blocks and was 3rd in rebounds. Robert Glenn scored 14 ppg in just 25 minutes/gm. The strength of Oral Roberts is their defense and patience on offense. That patience comes and it goes, I mean, Jarvis ended the season shooting 39% from the floor and was out assisted on the season by Marcus Lewis, the power forward. And wouldn’t you know it I’m having trouble coming up with something negative to say about Marcus Lewis, so I’m going to quit while I’m ahead. Lewis on, Jarvis off. 39%, what a shame.
The second team features that dude with two last names from Southern Utah and South Dakota junior guard Garrett Callahan, a 43.4% 3pt shooter and maybe the most underrated player in the league. David Dubois of ninth place Western Illinois rounded out the 2nd team, at least taking away something positive from an otherwise brutal season.
Centenary Love
Centenary players Nick Stallings and Chase Adams made the Honorable Mention, Gary Redus made the All-Newcomer Team, and Chase Adams stole the Defensive Player of the Year from Keith Benson. A whole lot of smooching on a team that barely squeaked into the tourney, that’s for sure.
Minor Beef
IUPUI freshman Alex Young (11 ppg) was left off the All-Newcomer Team in favor of two Oral Roberts players who did not even crack double figures in scoring. I’ll let the Kevin Ford pick slide since he averaged over 7 rebounds per game. As for Dominique Morrison, I just don’t see the justification.