ESPN: A Dozen Teams To Keep An Eye On

[HoopsBison]

Bison getting some love in this espn article, as a team to watch out for. Nice to get a little exposure.

http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook/_/pa...0816/best-rest

A six-point loss to South Dakota State in the Summit League tournament title game was the difference between an NCAA tournament slot and an appearance in the CBI. The Bison lost in the first round of the latter. But all five starters from last season return, including Taylor Braun (15.7 PPG). And Nate Wolters is in the NBA now. Denver is in the league now, so there are no title guarantees. But NDSU should be the clear favorite.

[b15on]

NDSU Insider Preview from ESPN
http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-coll...ta-state-bison

For those who don't have insider access, its all posted here:

North Dakota State Bison
With a senior-laden squad, the Bison are favorites to win the Summit
Updated: October 14, 2013, 10:07 AM ET
By Corey Schmidt | ESPN Insider

2013-14 Summit Projected Standings
1. North Dakota State | 2. Denver | 3. South Dakota State | 4. IPFW | 5. Western Illinois | 6. South Dakota | 7. Nebraska-Omaha | 8. IUPUI

North Dakota State Bison
2012-13: 24-10 (12-4)
In-conference offense: 1.13 points per possession (3rd)
In-conference defense: 0.90 points per possession (1st)

On Jan. 17, 2013, North Dakota State was 7-0 in Summit League play and looked like the favorite to win the conference championship and make some noise in March. However, the Bison were heading into a difficult stretch of conference play and also dealing with an injury to star Taylor Braun. That injury ended up sidelining Braun for over a month, dashing the team's hopes of a regular-season championship, but he returned in time for the conference tournament, where the Bison fell by six points in the title game. While the loss was a disappointment for NDSU, the positive news is that every starter and key reserve from that squad is back in 2013-14.

Projected starting lineup
F Marshall Bjorklund Sr.
F TrayVonn Wright Sr.
G Taylor Braun Sr.
G Kory Brown Soph.
G Lawrence Alexander Jr.

North Dakota State's level of success will mainly hinge on the play of seniors Braun, TrayVonn Wright and Marshall Bjorklund. After going through the requisite growing pains early in their careers, they began to hit their zenith last season, particularly on the defensive end. The Bison finished fifth in the nation in defensive rebounding rate and held opponents to just 42 percent shooting inside the arc. Braun, a versatile wing, often guards the opposing team's best player, while Wright and Bjorklund provide solid rim protection using a combination of their shot-blocking ability and strength.

Offensively, Braun will continue to serve as the go-to player for North Dakota State. The 6-foot-7 senior is efficient from anywhere on the court; for his career he has connected on 52 percent of his 2-pointers and 41 percent of his 3s. Braun is also a capable passer, leading the team in assist rate last season. When the ball isn't being handled by Braun, it's likely in the hands of point guard Lawrence Alexander. As a freshman, Alexander posted a 47 percent free throw rate, but that dipped to 36 percent last season at the same time his 3-point attempts increased. As a team, NDSU struggled to get to the line a season ago, and Alexander certainly has the skill to help the Bison improve in that area.

Coach Saul Phillips does not need to do much tweaking to win big with this roster. With so much returning firepower, he has the Bison well positioned to be the best team in the Summit League and perhaps one of the top squads from outside the major conferences in 2013-14.

Projected 2013-14 conference finish: 1st

[Mayville Bison]

NDSU Insider Preview from ESPN
http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-coll...ta-state-bison

For those who don't have insider access, its all posted here:

North Dakota State Bison
With a senior-laden squad, the Bison are favorites to win the Summit
Updated: October 14, 2013, 10:07 AM ET
By Corey Schmidt | ESPN Insider

2013-14 Summit Projected Standings
1. North Dakota State | 2. Denver | 3. South Dakota State | 4. IPFW | 5. Western Illinois | 6. South Dakota | 7. Nebraska-Omaha | 8. IUPUI

North Dakota State Bison
2012-13: 24-10 (12-4)
In-conference offense: 1.13 points per possession (3rd)
In-conference defense: 0.90 points per possession (1st)

On Jan. 17, 2013, North Dakota State was 7-0 in Summit League play and looked like the favorite to win the conference championship and make some noise in March. However, the Bison were heading into a difficult stretch of conference play and also dealing with an injury to star Taylor Braun. That injury ended up sidelining Braun for over a month, dashing the team's hopes of a regular-season championship, but he returned in time for the conference tournament, where the Bison fell by six points in the title game. While the loss was a disappointment for NDSU, the positive news is that every starter and key reserve from that squad is back in 2013-14.

Projected starting lineup
F Marshall Bjorklund Sr.
F TrayVonn Wright Sr.
G Taylor Braun Sr.
G Kory Brown Soph.
G Lawrence Alexander Jr.

North Dakota State's level of success will mainly hinge on the play of seniors Braun, TrayVonn Wright and Marshall Bjorklund. After going through the requisite growing pains early in their careers, they began to hit their zenith last season, particularly on the defensive end. The Bison finished fifth in the nation in defensive rebounding rate and held opponents to just 42 percent shooting inside the arc. Braun, a versatile wing, often guards the opposing team's best player, while Wright and Bjorklund provide solid rim protection using a combination of their shot-blocking ability and strength.

Offensively, Braun will continue to serve as the go-to player for North Dakota State. The 6-foot-7 senior is efficient from anywhere on the court; for his career he has connected on 52 percent of his 2-pointers and 41 percent of his 3s. Braun is also a capable passer, leading the team in assist rate last season. When the ball isn't being handled by Braun, it's likely in the hands of point guard Lawrence Alexander. As a freshman, Alexander posted a 47 percent free throw rate, but that dipped to 36 percent last season at the same time his 3-point attempts increased. As a team, NDSU struggled to get to the line a season ago, and Alexander certainly has the skill to help the Bison improve in that area.

Coach Saul Phillips does not need to do much tweaking to win big with this roster. With so much returning firepower, he has the Bison well positioned to be the best team in the Summit League and perhaps one of the top squads from outside the major conferences in 2013-14.

Projected 2013-14 conference finish: 1st

Thinking that should be field goal rate, right? Good stuff, thanks for sharing!!!

[NDSUstudent]

Always nice to see NDSU on the ESPN CBB front page....

[jub1982]

Projected as the #37 team overall.

[Mayville Bison]

Projected as the #37 team overall.

So is there anyway for them to get an at large bid if they have a great year and (I don't want to finish this sentence) lose in the Conf Champ game?

Let's say they get a 22 win season and beat a Notre Dame or Ohio State. Is that enough or is it all about winning in Sioux Falls?

[DePereBisonFan]

So is there anyway for them to get an at large bid if they have a great year and (I don't want to finish this sentence) lose in the Conf Champ game?

Let's say they get a 22 win season and beat a Notre Dame or Ohio State. Is that enough or is it all about winning in Sioux Falls?

They have to win the tournament. Oral Roberts was left out after a great season a few years back while they were in the Summit. The Summit is a one-bid league. For example, its second best team - us - last year lost in the first round of the CBI (or CIT or whatever it's called). We have to do better than that year in and year out.

[NDSUstudent]

League's don't earn at-large bids, teams do.

But to get an at-large there is pretty much no margin for error.

[ndsubison1]

we would probably have to have no more than 3-4 losses and at least split with osu and notre dame. fat chance

[HoopsBison]

Until the Summit can make an impact in the NCAA Tournament, it will be a one bid team. We need a league rep to win a game at the dance!