>Summit League result dissapoints but may offer best opportunity

Let me first say that I am not happy with the outcome of the Summit League tournament title game. I have never been a fan of North Dakota State and never even pretended to like conference Player of the Year Ben Woodside.

On the other end of the spectrum, you could call me somewhat of an Oakland fan (I know Dane, you don’t have to say anything.)

I think Oakland was the perfect team when it comes to the conference. They have a terrific, experienced coach in Greg Kampe, a stellar quick point man in Jonathan Jones, a lights out shooter in Eric Kangas, a high energy post in Keith Benson and the intangible guy in Will Hudson. Around ALL of that, they also have stellar freshman Drew Maynard and a defensive juggernaut in frosh Blake Cushingberry. Not to mention senior Dan Waterstradt, who was out of this world in the opening round against IPFW.

That to me is the perfect prototype for a Mid-Major and I, as a fan of basketball, would have been proud to have that team represent the Summit League in this year’s field of 65. But I also know the conference’s best chance at winning a tournament game comes in the form of NDSU.

This Bison team is everything that Cinderella could hope to be. They are from a smaller conference, in their first full year of NCAA Division I eligibility. But at the same, with a record of 26-5, they are not exactly too far off the radar. After winning the conference tournament, NDSU had a chance to win a game in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

That is something that neither Oakland or even defending league champion Oral Roberts would do.

So I feel bad for Oakland, but know that sans-Kangas and Waterstradt, they will all be back to power through the conference next year. Not to mention, their best player Derrick Nelson didn’t even play this year.

And for NDSU, they may not be the team I wanted to see advance, but they are the Summit’s best chance. Even before the field of 65 was announced this past Sunday, people all around college basketball were calling on the Bison to be the potential upset special this post-season. That seemed to die down some when they drew defending National Champions Kansas.
But I don’t see why.

Kansas as an opponent does not change all of the good things that NDSU brings to the table and to me, they will still be the ‘Cinderella’ team when all is said and done. More importantly, even a single win by them will given instant credibility to the league.

Hope the Bison don’t let down.