📄 2038 Summit League Tournament Preview: A Throwback to When It Mattered

The Summit League Conference Tournament promises high stakes and thrilling competition, with only the tournament champion likely to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. This is a true throwback to the days when winning the conference tournament was essential for postseason play. No teams in the league are ranked higher than 99th in the NET rankings, and Kansas City, the top team, knows that anything less than a tournament title will result in an early end to their season.

Here’s a breakdown of the teams and matchups that make up this year’s tournament:

1 Seed: Kansas City Kangaroos (18-11, 13-5)

The Kansas City Kangaroos head into the tournament as the regular season champions, a remarkable achievement considering the team’s unique roster composition. The Kangaroos, made up entirely of Australian players, are one of the three user-controlled teams in this fictional league and have turned heads all season with their solid play. Finishing first in the Summit League with a 13-5 record, Kansas City has embraced its identity as a gimmick team and executed it to perfection. Their first-place finish is a testament to both the players’ talent and the coaching staff’s strategic prowess. Despite a relatively low NET ranking of 99, the Kangaroos are looking to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a win here.

They’ll face the 8-seed St. Thomas Tommies (11-18, 8-10), another user-controlled team. The Tommies snuck into the tournament as the lowest seed but have shown resilience under their new coach. Having inherited a roster he didn’t recruit, the coach has done an admirable job keeping the team competitive, even securing a tournament spot in a highly competitive league. Despite their underdog status, St. Thomas will look to pull off the upset of the tournament and spoil Kansas City’s stellar season.

2 Seed: South Dakota State Jackrabbits (15-14, 12-6)

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits finished the regular season on fire, winning seven of their last eight games, including a four-game win streak to close things out. This hot streak helped them recover from a lackluster start under first-year head coach Aaron Jack, another user-controlled team manager. The Jackrabbits ended the regular season in second place with a 12-6 conference record, and their momentum makes them a dangerous team heading into the tournament. South Dakota State’s late-season resurgence has them positioned as a strong contender for the conference title.

Their first opponent is the 7-seed Oral Roberts, a team looking to play spoiler after a tough season. The Jackrabbits will need to maintain their recent form to avoid an early upset and keep their NCAA hopes alive.

3 Seed: Denver Pioneers (17-12, 11-7) vs. 6 Seed: North Dakota State Bison (15-14, 10-8)

The Denver Pioneers have had a strong season, finishing third in the conference standings. While they’re not one of the user-controlled teams, their consistent play has made them a team to watch in the tournament. Denver’s balanced attack and solid defense will be tested against the North Dakota State Bison, a team that’s proven to be unpredictable throughout the season. The Bison, who finished 9-9 in the conference, are a gritty team capable of making a deep run, but they’ll have to be at their best to advance against a well-rounded Denver squad.

4 Seed: Western Illinois Leathernecks (17-12, 11-7) vs. 5 Seed: North Dakota Fighting Hawks (12-17, 10-8)

This 4 vs. 5 matchup between Western Illinois and North Dakota could be the most evenly matched game of the tournament. Both teams finished with identical 10-8 conference records, and this game could go either way. Western Illinois has been a steady performer all year, while North Dakota has been up and down. Both teams know that one win here could give them the momentum to go all the way. Neither team will want to leave the door open for the other in what should be a tightly contested battle.

The Stakes: NCAA Tournament or Bust

For these eight teams, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Summit League has no safety net of at-large bids for its teams. Only the tournament champion will earn a spot in the Big Dance. That means each team faces the very real possibility that their next loss will be the end of their season.

All eyes will be on Kansas City, the top seed, to see if their all-Australian roster can deliver a conference title. However, South Dakota State, riding the wave of their recent hot streak, will certainly be in the mix. Denver, as the third seed, is no slouch, and both Western Illinois and North Dakota can’t be counted out. Meanwhile, St. Thomas is looking to pull off a Cinderella run, hoping to shock the conference as the lowest seed.

In a tournament where every game matters, these teams will lay it all on the line for a shot at March Madness glory. Let the games begin!