Decided to spend some free time looking at the future of the Summit League Men's basketball landscape instead of continually looking at bracketology over and over! There are some obvious trends and some major things that can change the way next year looks for the Summit League. It will also be cool to look back and see if I was anywhere close on these!
The main things that I see as the biggest influences on next year's season are:
COY: Todd Lee
The SDSU fans nightmare scenario: Bruns and Friedel to USD
The main things that I see as the biggest influences on next year's season are:
- Does Max Abmas return to ORU for 1 last season?
- I would assume he does not, it seems very likely that he either goes pro or transfers. But the option is still there.
- Where does Paul Bruns land?
- USD is the rumored favorite, which has a major impact on the Summit League, but he could also transfer out of the conference, which makes it less of a big deal to the conference landscape as a whole.
- Does Friedel transfer?
- Not turning this into another Friedel speculation thread, but if he were to transfer in the conference (most likely USD) it would be major. I am not sure he's transferring, and I am very skeptical of him going to USD. I would predict he goes somewhere out of the Summit but nobody knows...
- Can SDSU keep all their pieces?
- Obviously, Baylor could play almost anywhere in the country, but other pieces could move on to. I don't predict anyone leaving but it's a possibility.
- Does Frankie Fidler stay at UNO?
- The freshman had an incredible second half of the season, but with a coaching change and the struggle at UNO, he may be looking to move.
- Is AJ Plitz. back to his previous form?
- I think he will be, but a serious injury like that cannot be understated.
- Any coaching changes?
- Does Hendo leave? I don't think so. Richman, nah. Mills, nope. Jeter hasn't done enough to get other looks. Maybe Kyan Brown, assistant for NDSU, could leave for a head coaching job at the D2 ranks. But I do not see many coaching changes this cycle outside of the UNO hire TBD.
- The obvious impact of the transfer portal
- I have listed some possible players leaving the league but there are a lot more who will transfer, other starters or role players looking to change their situations. The portal will also bring people in and you have to wonder what impact that will make. It is hard to predict but it does matter. Denver had a commit today. 6 foot 7 versatile player who averaged 11.4 points in 24.7 per game for Little Rock, scored 23 against Arkansas. Players like this can hopefully round out some of these bottom teams and improve the conference profile as a whole. I would also expect to see Paul Mills in the market for some transfers and he has the connection to bring some major impact in.
- Bruns to USD
- Friedel not playing in the Summit League
- Fiedler leaves the Summit League
- SDSU retains all pieces
- NDSU retains most/all pieces
- ORU- Abmas goes pro, Mills brings in a couple of impact transfers
- South Dakota State 16-2 Essentially the same team except they lose the superstar impact of Doug Wilson, still a great team just slip up a couple times.
- USD 14-4 With AJ and Bruns along with the whole returning squad from this season, USD has a great year
- NDSU 13-5 A couple bumps replacing Griesel, Krueser, and Eady, but Grant Nelson and crew put together another good season
- WIU 10-8 I really like Rob Jeter, and if Massner comes back I think they can have a really successful year
- ORU 10-8 With Abmas gone, Angry little Paul Mills has a tough time replacing his superstar but still has a good program going.
- Denver 9-9 With some good returners and good transfer additions, Denver puts together a solid year
- UMKC 8-10 Losing a lot, tougher road ahead but they still pick up 8 wins with the huge drop off in league talent after them
- St. Thomas 5-13 Losing Miller but have a good staff and really good incoming class, they will take their lumps but will find 4 wins as the D1 awe wears off.
- UNO 3-15 With Fidler gone they really struggle with an empty cupboard.
- UND 2-16 They just don't have anything after losing their FOY in Bruns.
COY: Todd Lee
The SDSU fans nightmare scenario: Bruns and Friedel to USD
- USD 17-1
- SDSU 16-2
- NDSU 13-5
- WIU 9-9
- ORU 9-9
- Denver 9-9
- UMKC 8-10
- St. Thomas 5-13
- UNO 3-15
- UND 2-16
- SDSU 15-3
- ORU 14-4
- NDSU 13-5
- USD 13-5
- WIU 9-9
- Denver 9-9
- UMKC 7-11
- UNO 5-13
- UND 4-14
- St. Thomas 1-17
Comment