Tommies tabbed as Summit League favorites

(Sioux Falls, SD/Minnesota News Network) — The St. Thomas men’s basketball team has been tabbed the favorite to win the Summit League crown for the upcoming season. The Tommies received 17 of the 36 first-place votes in a survey of the league head coaches, sports communications staffs, and media members who cover the league. Omaha earned 13 first-place votes and was chosen to finish second, followed by South Dakota State, which had five first-place tallies. North Dakota State was selected to finish fourth, followed by South Dakota, Kansas City, Denver, North Dakota, and Oral Roberts. St. Thomas sophomore Nolan Minessale was chosen the Summit League Preseason Player of the Year. He was joined on the preseason First-Team by teammate Carter Bjerke. The Tommies finished second in the league last year with a 12-4 conference mark. St. Thomas is eligible to make the N-C-A-A Tournament for the first time as a Division I member.