Summit League Conference Tournament Preview: Prediction, Bracket, Odds and Standings

The Summit League produced the best Cinderella in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, as Oral Roberts made a run as a No. 15 seed, and it will be looking to get back in the tournament this season. 

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are heavily favored in this conference, but there’s always room for an upset in postseason college basketball. 

Let’s get into the odds via WynnBET for the Summit League Conference Tournament and a pick as well: 

Summit League Conference Tournament Odds

• South Dakota State: -225
• North Dakota State: +650
• Oral Roberts: +700
• Western Illinois: +1500
• UMKC: +1800
• South Dakota: +2000
• Denver: +10000
• Nebraska Omaha: +30000

Summit League Conference Tournament Bracket and Standings

Here’s a look at the Summit League Conference Tournament Bracket: 

South Dakota State and North Dakota State earned the top two seeds while last year’s darling, Oral Roberts, is the No. 3 seed this season. All of these teams will play in the quarterfinal round as they look to win an auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament. 

Summit League Conference Tournament Schedule (Dates, Times, Channel)

The Summit League Conference Tournament will begin on March 5 and run through March 8 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. 

All four quarterfinals and both semifinals will be televised on Midco Sports and streamed on Midco Sports Plus and ESPN+. The championship game is set for 9 p.m. EST and will be televised live on ESPN2.

Summit League Conference Tournament Prediction and Pick

South Dakota State is a heavy favorite, and for good reason, as it went 18-0 in conference play this season. However, there is very little value in taking a -225 favorite in the futures market. 

While the Jackrabbits likely run away with this thing, Oral Robets has the second-highest adjusted efficiency margin (how much it would outscore the average opponent by) in the conference. 

Oral Roberts can shoot the ball with the best of them, ranking No. 2 in effective field goal percentage and offensive efficiency in the Summit League. If South Dakota State stumbles, the Golden Eagles could make the tourney for a second straight season. 

Summit League Conference Tournament Dark Horse

If you’re looking for a really deep pick, don’t be shocked if South Dakota (+2000) makes a run in this tournament. 

The Coyotes have two things that I really love about a dark horse team, a solid defense (ranking top five in several key defensive metrics) and a strong shooting offense, as they are No. 3 in the Summit League in effective field goal percentage and No. 2 in 3-point shooting. 

It’s going to be hard to knock off the Jackrabbits in the second round, but if the Coyotes do, they would face a much easier matchup in the championship game.