If you haven't been watching the Summit League lately, you're basically missing out on one of the weirdest, most competitive mid-major scrambles in recent memory. Seriously. Usually, we have a clear idea of who the big dogs are by mid-January. Not this time. The summit league men's basketball standings look like someone took a snow globe of the Midwest, shook it hard, and let the pieces land wherever they felt like it.
It's chaotic. It's fun. Honestly, it's exactly what college hoops should be.
The Bison and the Tommies are Pulling Away (For Now)
North Dakota State is currently sitting on a mountain. They’ve managed a perfect 5-0 start in conference play, moving their overall record to 15-5. It’s not just that they’re winning; it’s how they’re doing it. They have this defensive grit that just suffocates people. In conference play, they’re holding teams to about 70 points a game. That’s elite for this league.
But then there's St. Thomas.
The Tommies are 4-0 in the league and 15-4 overall. You’ve probably heard about Nick Janowski by now. The kid is a machine. He came over after redshirting at Nebraska, and Johnny Tauer has him playing some of the most efficient basketball in the country. They’re shooting over 52% as a team in conference matchups. That is a stupidly high number. Most teams would kill to shoot 45%.
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A Quick Look at the Top Half
North Dakota State holds the slim lead because they've played one more game, but St. Thomas is breathing right down their neck. Behind them, the "North Dakota" rivalry is getting spicy. The Fighting Hawks are 3-2 in the league. They've been a bit up and down, but they're dangerous because they can score in bunches.
South Dakota and South Dakota State are both sitting at 2-2. Seeing the Jackrabbits at .500 in the league this late is... weird. Usually, SDSU is the one everyone is trying to catch. This year? They're just trying to keep their heads above water. They lost a heartbreaker to NDSU 76-65 on January 14, and you could just feel the shift in power in that gym.
Why the Middle of the Pack is a Total Nightmare
The middle of the summit league men's basketball standings is where dreams go to die this year. Denver is 2-3 in the league. They play this incredibly fast-paced, "hope we outscore you" style. They lead the league in scoring at over 83 points per game, but they also give up nearly 85. It’s track meet basketball.
- Denver Pioneers: 2-3 (9-11 Overall)
- Omaha Mavericks: 1-3 (8-11 Overall)
- Kansas City Roos: 1-4 (4-15 Overall)
- Oral Roberts: 0-4 (5-14 Overall)
Honestly, seeing Oral Roberts at the bottom is the biggest shock of the season. 0-4? In the Summit? This is the same program that was making Sweet 16 runs a few years back. They just can't find a rhythm. They're shooting 41% as a team, which is dead last in the conference. If you can't put the ball in the ocean from the beach, you aren't winning games in this league.
The Statistical Anomalies
Check this out: South Dakota just put up 99 points on Kansas City on January 15. Cameron Fens went absolutely nuclear. 31 points and 15 rebounds. He was 10-for-14 from the floor. When a guy is playing like that, the "standings" don't really matter—you just get out of the way.
Omaha is another weird one. They lead the league in three-pointers made per game (9.0), but they're only 1-3 in the conference. It’s like they’re living and dying by the arc, and lately, there’s been a lot of dying.
Can Anyone Actually Catch NDSU and St. Thomas?
It’s gonna be tough. The gap between the top two and the rest of the field is starting to look like a canyon. But keep an eye on the South Dakota schools. South Dakota (the Coyotes) just looked dominant against Kansas City. If Isaac Bruns and Jordan Crawford keep shooting 40% from deep, they are going to ruin someone’s season in the conference tournament.
The reality of the summit league men's basketball standings is that the tournament in Sioux Falls is the only thing that actually matters. You could go 16-0 in the regular season and if you trip up in March, you're going to the NIT.
- Watch the Schedule: St. Thomas has some brutal road games coming up.
- Health Matters: Keep an eye on the injury reports for South Dakota State; they need their full rotation to make a run.
- Home Court: Denver is much better at home (6-2) than on the road (3-9). If they get a home-heavy stretch, they'll climb fast.
If you’re looking for a safe bet, stick with the Bison or the Tommies. But if you want a dark horse, South Dakota is starting to look like they’ve finally figured out their rotation. They’re fun, they’re fast, and they don't seem to care who they’re playing.
Your Next Move
To stay ahead of the curve, you should be tracking the "Points Against" category. NDSU is winning because they defend. St. Thomas is winning because they don't miss. Everyone else is just trying to find an identity. Check the box scores for the upcoming Saturday slate—that’s where the movement usually happens. Keep a close eye on the shooting percentages of Oral Roberts; if they don't improve their 29.6% three-point clip in league play, they might be looking at a winless January.