Feature: Jacks ready for Summit League Tournament

By Shaquille Davis
South Dakota State University

BROOKINGS, S.D. – It is that time of the year again where South Dakota State heads for the Summit League Men's Basketball Tournament in Sioux Falls. The Jackrabbits have had a history of success at the Denny Sanford Premier Center, taking an impressive five titles at this event since 2012 and winning the last three tournaments.

This year, the objective is no different: bring another conference title back to Brookings.

The first test for the Jacks is Western Illinois.

Ironically, it is a rematch of the regular season finale that saw the Jackrabbits beat the Leathernecks, 86-66. This matchup on a neutral court could be a little different, though, according to All-American and three-time Summit League Player of the Year, Mike Daum.

"We definitely know that they are going to try and switch something up," said Daum. "We know that they are going to have a bunch of motivation to come out against us, but I also feel like we've had two weeks to prepare for them.

"For us, it's just going to be making sure that we take shots away from certain guys and our defense funnels them into taking the shots we want them to take. This ultimately will lead us into transition, but I think it will be a good game and I'm excited for it."

Daum cemented his legacy in the NCAA history books by becoming the 10th-ever player to tally over 3,000 career points, surpassing the mark in a hard-fought victory over South Dakota this season. Even with his tremendous scoring prowess, he isn't taking any team lightly and feels that any game can be a challenge.

"I think everyone is," Daum said, when asked on his opinion of the most dangerous team in the Summit League Tournament. "I feel the Summit League is filled with team's this year that can win on any given night. It's just about who will come out and play the hardest."

Skyler Flatten would agree with this sentiment, stressing that previous success does not correlate into continued dominance, focusing instead of one selfless goal.

"I just want to win, honestly," Flatten said. "It's tough to win down there."

"Two years ago, we had to come back from about 13 or 14 down with like five minutes left in our first two [Summit League Tournament] games. Every single game, they are going to give their best shot at us. You just have to be prepared and play as hard as we can because it's not easy to play down there."

Flatten is coming off a tremendous season where he had career-highs all across the board. The All-Summit League Second Team performer averaged 15.8 points per game while shooting 3-pointers at a 45.1 percent clip with an overall field goal percentage of 52.2 percent.

Daum, Flatten and sophomore scoring sensation David Jenkins give Jackrabbit fans a reason for optimism headed into the tournament, but an x-factor could be SDSU's senior point guard, Tevin King.

King doesn't average as much as the aforementioned three scoring leaders, but at 51.8 percent is efficient and effective when an opportunity to score arises. Instead, he has led the way all season in other areas. He's averaging 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game with a bulldog mentality on the defensive end that gives Summit League guards nightmares.

He's what college basketball personality Dick Vitale likes to call a "stat sheet stuffer."

The Chicago native doesn't say much; he'd prefer to let his game do the talking.

A slight chuckle and an abrupt "No" was his rebuttal when asked if there is any pressure on being the No. 1 overall seed again in this competition.

He feels no pressure because he's been here before and loves this stage. Fans love the showcase even more, recalling devastating chase-down blocks and one-handed breakaway slams with glee.

King is an artist and the Summit League Tournament is his canvas.

No one knows that better than the man who has a front seat to direct the action: head coach T.J. Otzelberger.

Otzelberger is in his third season leading the Jackrabbits and brings an eclectic group into Sioux Falls.

Three experienced seniors, a sophomore star, four redshirt freshmen who had a glimpse of the limelight a year ago, and three true freshman experiencing the PREMIER Center for the first time.

Oh, and a junior walk-on known for leading a highlight-worthy bench-mob.

"We have some freshmen in those roles that are playing major factors for us," Otzelberger said, when asked about the difference in this tournament then years past. "I think that is a little bit different than what we have had in the past couple years. We've had a lot older, more experienced guys but we trust those guys. We know they can do the job."

The freshmen have played a key role this season as the Jackrabbits finished the regular season at 24-7, and will be asked to live up to those standards if they want to enjoy a Tuesday court storming.

Still, it's one game at a time for the Jackrabbits, who won't think of Tuesday until the time comes.

"Whether it's in our tournament here or moving forward, we are going to try and take every possession and treat it like the last," Otzelberger said.

The journey begins Saturday at 6 p.m.

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Shaquille Davis is a South Dakota State junior providing additional, independent coverage of Jackrabbit basketball throughout the postseason for GoJacks.com.

-GoJacks.com-

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Players Mentioned

Mike Daum

Skyler Flatten

David Jenkins

Tevin King

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