Oh boy! We're getting close to the beginning! The Summit kicks us off with the first preseason poll I've seen!
Summit League Release:
Here
As usual, the rivals from Vermillion and Brookings dominate the preseason Summit League poll, accounting for 7 of the 11 players on the first and second teams.
The
Coyotes of South Dakota are coming off their best season since joining D-I in 2011. They went 29-2, their only losses coming to South Carolina and Missouri State, ran the table in the Summit League, and finished at #17 in the AP poll. They lost 3 starters to graduation, including Ciara Duffy, but they seem to be in good hands with returners Hannah Sjerven (tabbed as preseason Summit POY), Chloe Lamb, Monica Arens and Taylor Frederick, each of whom averaged 9-12 ppg last season.
The
Jackrabbits of South Dakota State had a relatively disappointing 2019-20 season that began with high expectations but was marred by injuries to key players. SDSU finished 23-10 (13-3 in conference) and lost a close game to USD in the Summit final. Myah Selland was sidelined in December by a foot injury; she has since received a medical hardship waiver to restore her junior year of eligibility. Paiton Burckhard, Tori Nelson (2019 Summit Freshman of the Year) and Tylee Irwin bring back plenty of experience as well.
USD and SDSU are among the programs most adversely affected by the shortened nonconference season and canceled holiday tournaments. Hopefully they can both find at least a few "opportunity" games in late November and December.
In any event, I'm looking forward to another season of intense battles between these two midmajor gems.