SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The North Dakota State men’s basketball team has been picked to finish third in The Summit League this season, according to the annual preseason poll of league head coaches, sports information directors and media.
NDSU senior forward Rocky Kreuser was voted to the preseason All-Summit League second team. Kreuser is NDSU’s top returning scorer, averaging 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last year.
South Dakota State topped the preseason poll with all but three first-place votes, with each of the remaining first-place votes going to the Bison. Oral Roberts came in second, NDSU was third, and Omaha was picked fourth.
South Dakota (5th), North Dakota (6th), Kansas City (7th), Denver (8th) and Western Illinois (9th) rounded out the poll.
Juniors Tyree Eady and Sam Griesel join Kreuser as returning starters from last season’s Bison squad that went 25-8 overall and swept The Summit League’s regular season and tournament championships.
North Dakota State has earned four NCAA Tournament berths in the past seven seasons.
Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank | School (1st Place Votes) | Points |
| 1. | South Dakota State (33) | 608 |
| 2. | Oral Roberts | 514 |
| 3. | North Dakota State (3) | 466 |
| 4. | Omaha | 379 |
| 5 | South Dakota | 354 |
| 6. | North Dakota | 301 |
| 7. | Kansas City | 248 |
| 8. | Denver | 203 |
| 9. | Western Illinois | 167 |
2020-21 Preseason Summit League Player of the Year
Douglas Wilson – South Dakota State
Preseason All-Summit League First Team
- Noah Freidel, SDSU, So., G (12.2 ppg/4.1 rpg/1.6 apg)
- Kevin Obanor, ORU, Jr., F (12.3 ppg/6.9 rpg/0.9 bpg)
- Matt Pile, Omaha, Sr., F (11.6 ppg/10.0 rpg/1.5 bpg)
- Filip Rebraca, UND, Jr., F (14.3 ppg/8.9 rpg/1.0 bpg)
- Stanley Umude, USD, Sr., F (16.7 ppg/6.3 rpg/1.4 bpg)
- Douglas Wilson, SDSU, Sr., F (18.6 ppg/6.4 rpg/0.9 bpg)
Preseason All-Summit League Second Team
- Max Abmas, ORU, So., G (14.5 ppg/2.2 rpg/1.4 apg)
- Matt Dentlinger, SDSU, Jr., F (12.2 ppg/6.0 rpg/1.3 bpg)
- Rocky Kreuser, NDSU, Sr., F (10.0 ppg/6.0 rpg/0.9 bpg)
- Marlon Ruffin, Omaha, Jr., G/F (8.8 ppg/3.3 rpg/1.3 apg)
- Jase Townsend, Denver, Jr., G (16.9 ppg/5.3 rpg/2.2 apg)
*Courtesy NDSU Athletics
