2008 Summit Hoops Preview

Although the Golden Eagles lost four starters off last season’s regular-season champs, coach Scott Sutton has reloaded with some talented players in what could be a balanced Summit League this year. The nation’s top-scoring sixth man, Robert Jarvis (16.1 ppg), returns, along with forward Marcus Lewis (8.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg), a member of the Summit’s All-Newcomer team and the only returning starter. They will be counted on to lead what may be ORU’s deepest frontcourt in several seasons. Andre Hardy, Ball State transfer Kevin Ford (eligible in December), Scottie Farrington, a shot-blocking pogo stick from the Bahamas, and Tim Morton (6'9", 268) will make Sutton’s squad tough in the paint.

2. North Dakota State (16–13, 10–8)

The Bison return all five starters in their first season as a full-fledged Division I member. Coach Saul Phillips’ squad was tough last season but will have even more incentive to win the league this season since it can compete for the Summit’s postseason tournament and the automatic NCAA Tournament berth for the first time. The senior duo of Ben Woodside (20.7 ppg) and Brett Winkelman (19.2 ppg) formed one of the nation’s top 10 scoring pairs last season. Woodside is an 83 percent free throw shooter who needs only 265 points to become NDSU’s all-time leading scorer.

3. Oakland (17–14, 11–7)

 The Golden Grizzlies were a tough team to figure last season with an up-and-down performance that had coach Greg Kampe scratching his head. But Oakland has enough talent returning, along with perhaps Kampe’s best recruiting class in history, to contend for the Summit League title. Three double-digit scorers return for Kampe in Derick Nelson (17.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Erik Kangas (14.6 ppg) and Johnathon Jones (14.9 ppg). Center Keith Benson seeks to improve on a redshirt freshman season that saw him total 40 blocks, one shy of the all-time single-season Oakland record.

4. IUPUI (26–7, 15–3)

After contending for the Summit League title last season, the Jaguars may find the going a little tougher this season without Player of the Year George Hill, a first-round NBA Draft pick who last year led the team in scoring, rebounding and assists. Senior guard Gary Patterson (12.9 ppg), who dropped in 93 3-pointers, will be counted on to increase his scoring output. Junior Jon Avery (10.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg) gives coach Ron Hunter some experience, while sophomore LeRoy Nobles can expect quality playing time. Signees Alex Young, a tenacious rebounder, and Robert Glenn, a high percentage shooter, are expected to have an immediate impact.

5. Southern Utah (11–19, 9–9)

The Thunderbirds had hoped to get a fifth season of eligibility out of Geoff Payne (20.6 ppg), but the NCAA denied the request, leaving second-year coach Roger Reid in search of some scoring options. Returning starters David Marek (8.8 ppg) and Tyler Quinney (6.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg) may be diamonds in the rough and will need to step up their play. Five junior college signees will have to adjust to Division I play quickly.

6. UMKC (11–21, 6–12)

Dane Brumagin (17.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg) gives the Kangaroos the best chance to have a successful season after playing for an Athletes in Action team this summer with NDSU’s Ben Woodside and Brett Winkelman. Reggie Hamilton (11.7 ppg) gives coach Matt Brown additional double-digit scoring. The loss of Tim Blackwell and Brent Stephens takes more than 20 points per game out of the Kangaroos’ offense, but Nicholls State transfer Bakari Lewis (eligible after the semester) and Daniel Brady should help when Summit play rolls around.

7. IPFW (13–18, 9–9)

Coach Dane Fife returns two double-digit scorers to a Mastadon team that graduated three starters and over 30 points per game from last season. Finishing higher than the middle of the pack will be tough unless Ben Botts (10.0 ppg) and David Carson (11.4 ppg) can increase their scoring. Expected to feature an up-tempo offense this season, the Mastadons will count on newcomers Terry Bembry, Brandon Gaines and Demond Dedeaux to have an immediate impact.

8. South Dakota State (8–21, 3–15)

Although they had a two-game improvement over the previous season, the Jackrabbits may not have enough talent to make too big of a move in Summit League standings this season. Junior Kai Williams (14.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg) led the team in both categories last season but won’t be able to depend on Ben Beran for offensive help this year. Garrett Callahan averaged 12.3 points and Clint Sargent added 8.4 points, to give SDSU some added offensive punch.

9. Western Illinois (12–18, 7–11)

Last year’s 12–18 finish cost coach Derek Thomas his job, so the Leathernecks will be regrouping under Jim Molinari. The veteran coach welcomes back senior guard David Dubois, who averaged 9.9 points per game last season, but lost leading scorer David Jackson to graduation and promising guard James Washington, who transferred to a junior college. With a depleted roster, Molinari was looking to add players to his team deep into the summer.

10. Centenary (10–21, 4–14)

Centenary didn’t renew the contract of coach Rob Flaska after last season’s team started fast — with a win over Bobby Knight’s Texas Tech team — but then struggled to a ninth-place finish in the Summit League. Leading scorer Tyrone Hamilton transferred to NAIA LSU-Shreveport for his senior season when former Duquesne assistant Greg Gary was hired to replace Flaska. Seniors Nick Stallings (15.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Lance Hill (11.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg), along with junior Chase Adams (8.2 ppg, 4.7 apg) will now be in the spotlight.