The 2023 Summit conference tournament is a two horse race to the title. There is a clear favorite in Oral Roberts and a team that will keep them on their toes in South Dakota State. Oral Roberts hasn’t lost a game since January 9th. They are undefeated in conference play and South Dakota St kept it within two possessions last time they played.
The Betting Odds
Oral Roberts -175
South Dakota St +340
North Dakota St +800
St. Thomas +900
Western Illinois +3500
South Dakota +5000
UMKC +9500
North Dakota +9500
Denver +9500
Omaha +21000
The Bracket
Oral Roberts
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles average the most points per game in the Summit league (88.4) and rank 4th in the country in points per game. They are led by senior guard Max Abrams. Abrams averages 22.3 points per game which is 6th best in the country. He is getting help from 7’5 Connor Vanover, the senior who averages 12.6 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game. The Golden Eagles are good enough to breeze through this, and can finish conference play with no losses.
South Dakota State
The Jackrabbits are looking to go back to the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season. They are led by sophomore guard Zeke Mayo who averages 18.3 points per game to go along with 6.2 rebounds per game. One thing that the Jackrabbits struggle with is getting Mayo some help from a secondary scorer. Matt Dentlinger is an option who averages 12.5 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds per game. Outside of that there isn’t much that is going to take them overtop Oral Roberts. Someone from the Jackrabbits will have to step up if they want to go back to the NCAA tournament.
The Don’s Winner
Value wise, South Dakota State +340 is the bet to make. However, there is no way that Oral Roberts did all that work in the regular season to not make the NCAA tournament. I will throw my money on South Dakota State knowing that I didn’t pay the juice to take Oral Roberts to win.
The Don’s Game By Game Predictions
First Round
8 Denver over 9 North Dakota
7 UMKC over 10 Omaha
Quarterfinals
1 Oral Roberts over 8 Denver
5 St. Thomas over 4 Western Illinois
2 South Dakota St over 7 UMKC
3 North Dakota St over 6 South Dakota
Semifinals
1 Oral Roberts over 5 St Thomas
2 South Dakota St over 3 North Dakota St
Finals
1 Oral Roberts over 2 South Dakota St