2025–26 Summit League men's basketball season

2025–26 Summit League men's basketball season
LeagueNCAA Division I
SportBasketball
Teams9
TV partner(s)Summit League Network, CBS Sports Network
Regular season
Regular season championNorth Dakota State
Season MVPCarson Johnson, Denver
Summit League tournament
ChampionsNorth Dakota State
  Runners-upNorth Dakota
Tournament MVPDamari Wheeler-Thomas, North Dakota State
2025–26 Summit League men's basketball standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
North Dakota State † 14 – 2   .875 27 – 7   .794
St. Thomas 12 – 4   .750 24 – 10   .706
North Dakota 10 – 6   .625 18 – 17   .514
South Dakota 8 – 8   .500 16 – 16   .500
Omaha 8 – 8   .500 16 – 17   .485
Denver 8 – 8   .500 15 – 17   .469
South Dakota State 7 – 9   .438 14 – 18   .438
Oral Roberts 4 – 12   .250 10 – 23   .303
Kansas City 1 – 15   .063 4 – 27   .129
† 2026 Summit League tournament winner
As of March 17, 2026

The 2025–26 Summit League men's basketball season started non-conference play on November 3, 2025, and conference play started on December 31, 2025. The regular season ended on February 28, 2026.

This is the last season in the conference for Denver, as the Pioneers will join the West Coast Conference on July 1, 2026.[1]

The 2026 Summit League men's basketball tournament took place from March 4 to 8, 2026. North Dakota State won the tournament, defeating North Dakota in the tournament final, and advanced to the NCAA tournament.

Head coaches

Coaching changes

Offseason

Denver

On March 20, 2025, fourth-year coach Jeff Wulbrun and the Pioneers parted ways.[2] Then, on April 14, 2025, Tim Bergstraser was announced as the next head coach for the Pioneers.[3] Bergstraser was previously a head coach for NCAA Division II Minnesota State–Moorhead.

Oral Roberts

On March 7, 2025, second-year coach Russell Springmann was let go by the Golden Eagles.[4] Then, on March 28, 2025, Kory Barnett was named the next head coach.[5]

South Dakota State

On March 28, 2025, sixth-year coach Eric Henderson left South Dakota State for the head coaching job at Drake.[6] Then, on March 29, 2025, it was announced that Jackrabbits assistant Bryan Petersen would be the next head coach.[7]

Mid-season

Kansas City

On January 12, 2026, fourth-year coach Marvin Menzies announced his intention to retire from coaching upon the conclusion of the 2025–26 season.[8] Later, on February 1, 2026, Kansas City announced the hiring of Mark Turgeon as the next head coach of the Roos, and he will take over after the season ends.[9]

Coaches

Team Head Coach Previous Job Years At School[a] Record at School[b] Summit League Record Summit League Titles NCAA tournaments[c] NCAA Sweet 16's
Denver Tim Bergstraser Minnesota State–Moorhead 1 0–0[d] 0–0 0 0[e] 0[f]
Kansas City Marvin Menzies Grand Canyon (Associate HC) 4 40–57 21–29 0 5 0
North Dakota Paul Sather Northern State 7 73–115 38–62 0 0 0
North Dakota State David Richman North Dakota State (Assistant) 12 208–142 107–68 3 2 0
Omaha Chris Crutchfield Oregon (Assistant) 4 45–53 24–26 1 1 0
Oral Roberts Kory Barnett West Virginia (Assistant) 1 0–0 0–0 0 0 0
St. Thomas John Tauer St. Thomas (Assistant) 14 290–110[g] 34–34 0 0[h] 0[i]
South Dakota Eric Peterson Utah (Assistant) 4 43–52 21–29 0 0 0
South Dakota State Bryan Petersen South Dakota State (Assistant) 1 0–0 0–0 0 0 0
  1. ^ Year at school includes 2025–26 season.
  2. ^ Overall and Summit League records are from the time at their current school and are through the end of the 2023–24 season.
  3. ^ NCAA tournament appearances are from the time at current school only.
  4. ^ 75 wins and 22 losses at the Division II level
  5. ^ 3 NCAA Division II Tournaments
  6. ^ 1 NCAA Division II Sweet 16
  7. ^ 218 wins and 50 losses at the Division III level
  8. ^ 8 NCAA Division III Tournaments
  9. ^ 4 NCAA Division III Sweet 16s, 2 NCAA Division III Final Fours, and 1 NCAA Division III National Championship

Preseason awards

The preseason Summit League men's basketball polls were released on October 7, 2025.[10]

Preseason Poll

First place votes in parenthesis

  1. St. Thomas (17) – 501
  2. Omaha (13) – 495
  3. South Dakota State (5) – 450
  4. North Dakota State – 358
  5. South Dakota (1) – 342
  6. Kansas City – 187
  7. Denver – 169
  8. North Dakota – 168
  9. Oral Roberts – 165

Preseason honors

Honor Recipient
Preseason Player of the Year Nolan Minessale, St. Thomas
Preseason All-Summit League First Team Carter Bjerke, St. Thomas
Isaac Bruns, South Dakota
Kalen Garry, South Dakota State
Nolan Minessale, St. Thomas
Tony Osburn, Omaha
Jayson Petty, Kansas City
Preseason All-Summit League Second Team Noah Feddersen, North Dakota State
Ja'Sean Glover, Omaha
Carson Johnson, Denver
Eli King, North Dakota
Markhi Strickland, North Dakota State

Regular season

Conference standings

Current as of February 28, 2026[11]

Conference Overall
Rank Team Record Percent Record Percent Tiebreaker
1 North Dakota State 14–2 .875 24–7 .774
2 St. Thomas 12–4 .750 23–8 .742
3 North Dakota 10–6 .625 16–16 .500
4 South Dakota 8–8 .500 16–15 .516 3–1 vs. Omaha, Denver
5 Omaha 8–8 .500 15–16 .484 2–2 vs. South Dakota, Denver
6 Denver 8–8 .500 15–16 .484 1–3 vs. South Dakota, Omaha
7 South Dakota State 7–9 .438 14–17 .452
8 Oral Roberts 4–12 .250 9–22 .290
9 Kansas City 1–15 .063 4–26 .133

Conference matrix

  Denver Kansas City North Dakota North Dakota State Omaha Oral Roberts St. Thomas South Dakota South Dakota State
vs. Denver – 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1
vs. Kansas City 2–0 – 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0
vs. North Dakota 1–1 0–2 – 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1
vs. North Dakota State 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2
vs. Omaha 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 – 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1
vs. Oral Roberts 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 2–0
vs. St. Thomas 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 – 0–2 0–2
vs. South Dakota 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 – 0–2
vs. South Dakota State 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 –
Total 8–8 1–15 10–6 14–2 8–8 4–12 12–4 8–8 7–9

Through February 28, 2026

Players of the Week

Week[12] Player(s) of the Week School
Nov. 11[13] Jeremiah Burke Denver
Nov. 18[14] Nolan Minessale St. Thomas
Nov. 25[15] Nolan Minessale (2) St. Thomas (2)
Dec. 2[16] Isaac Bruns South Dakota
Dec. 9[17] Nolan Minessale (3) St. Thomas (3)
Dec. 16[18] Nolan Minessale (4) St. Thomas (4)
Dec. 23[19] Lance Waddles Omaha
Dec. 30[20] Trevian Carson North Dakota State
Jan. 6[21] Nick Janowski St. Thomas (5)
Jan. 13[22] Treyson Anderson North Dakota State (2)
Jan. 20[23] Carson Johnson Denver (2)
Jan. 27[24] Greyson Uelmen North Dakota
Feb. 3[25] Paul Djobet Omaha (2)
Feb. 10[26] Carson Johnson (2) Denver (3)
Feb. 17[27] Valentino Simon Omaha (3)
Feb. 24[28] Carson Johnson (3) Denver (4)
Mar. 2[29] Ty Harper Oral Roberts

Records against other conferences

As of December 29, 2025:

Major 6 Conferences Record Major 6 Conferences Record
ACC None American 0–4
Big East 0–2 Big Ten 0–4
Big 12 0–7 SEC 0–6
Major 6 Total 0–23
Other Division I Conferences Record Other Division I Conferences Record
Atlantic 10 None ASUN 0–1
America East None Big Sky 10–13
Big South 2–0 Big West 4–7
CAA None Conference USA 2–3
Horizon League 1–1 Ivy League None
Independents None MAAC 1–1
MAC 2–0 MEAC 1–0
MVC 2–4 MWC 2–5
NEC None OVC 3–2
Patriot League 1–0 SoCon None
Southland 1–0 SWAC 1–0
Sun Belt 1–3 WAC 1–4
WCC 1–4
Other Division I Total 36–48
NCAA Division I Total 36–71
NCAA Division II Total 5–0
NCAA Division III Total 4–0
NAIA Total 17–0
NCCAA Total 3–0
Total Non-Conference Record 65–71

Record against ranked non-conference opponents

Summit League records against ranked teams (rankings from AP Poll, Summit teams in Bold):

Date Visitor Home Site Score Conference record Reference
November 3 North Dakota No. 15 Alabama Coleman Coliseum
Tuscaloosa, AL		 L 62–91 0–1 [30]
November 24 Denver No. 2 Arizona McKale Center
Tucson, AZ		 L 73–103 0–2 [31]
December 21 North Dakota No. 15 Nebraska Pinnacle Bank Arena
Lincoln, NE		 L 55–78 0–3 [32]
December 29 South Dakota State No. 1 Arizona McKale Center
Tucson, AZ		 L 71–99 0–4 [33]

Points scored

Team For Against Difference
Denver 2583 2567 +16
Kansas City 2087 2516 –429
North Dakota 2468 2502 –34
North Dakota State 2525 2189 +336
Omaha 2381 2386 –5
Oral Roberts 2271 2420 –149
St. Thomas 2582 2232 +350
South Dakota 2485 2490 –5
South Dakota State 2346 2251 +95

Through February 28, 2026[34]

Home attendance

Team Arena Capacity Total Games Average Attendance Attendance High Total Attendance % of Capacity
Denver Hamilton Gymnasium 2,500 14 1,019 1,839
Jan 22 vs. North Dakota St 		14,275 40.8%
Kansas City Swinney Recreation Center 1,500 14 701 1,114
Feb 28 vs. Oral Roberts 		9,827 46.8%
North Dakota Betty Engelstad Sioux Center 3,300 16 1,753 2,918
Feb 14 vs. North Dakota St 		28,058 53.1%
North Dakota State Scheels Center 5,460 14 1,980 5,426
Feb 28 vs. North Dakota 		27,728 36.3%
Omaha Baxter Arena 7,898 14 2,872 3,669
Jan 10 vs. North Dakota St 		40,212 36.3%
Oral Roberts Mabee Center 10,154 14 3,288 5,467
Nov 12 vs. Tulsa 		46,038 32.4%
St. Thomas Lee and Penny Anderson Arena 5,300 14 2,883 5,325
Nov 8 vs. Army
Dec 11 vs. St. John's (MN) 		40,370 54.4%
South Dakota Sanford Coyote Sports Center 6,000 16 1,561 3,569
Feb 28 vs. South Dakota St 		24,991 26.0%
South Dakota State First Bank and Trust Arena 6,500 13 2,808 4,451
Jan 18 vs. Kansas City 		36,507 43.2%

Bold - Exceed capacity
As of February 28, 2026
Does not include exhibition games

National Television Games

Any games that league members will play on National Television, including the Summit League's media contract with CBS Sports Network, are listed here.[35]

Summit League members in bold

Date
Time (CT) 		Road Team Home team Final Score Network
November 24, 2025
9:30 PM 		Denver No. 2 Arizona L 73–103 CBSSN
January 3, 2026
3 PM 		Oral Roberts North Dakota State NDSU 79–772OT CBSSN
February 1, 2026
1 PM 		Kansas City St. Thomas UST 99–64 CBSSN
February 4, 2026
6 PM 		St. Thomas South Dakota State UST 77–62 CBSSN
February 7, 2026
5 PM 		South Dakota South Dakota State USD 68–67 CBSSN
February 14, 2026
1 PM 		North Dakota State North Dakota NDSU 83–66 CBSSN
February 15, 2026
12 PM 		Denver Omaha UNO 83–76 CBSSN
February 25, 2026
6 PM 		Omaha South Dakota USD 89–72 CBSSN

All–League Awards

Honor Recipient
Player of the Year Carson Johnson, Denver
Defensive Player of the Year Eli King, North Dakota
Sixth Man of the Year Noah Feddersen, North Dakota State
Freshman of the Year Nick Janowski, St. Thomas
Coach of the Year David Richman, North Dakota State
All-Summit League First Team Trevian Carson, North Dakota State
Paul Djobet, Omaha,
Cameron Fens, South Dakota
Nick Janowski, St. Thomas
Carson Johnson, Denver
Nolan Minessale, St. Thomas
All-Summit League Second Team Jordan Crawford, South Dakota
Eli King, North Dakota
Ty Harper, Oral Roberts
Greyson Uelmen, North Dakota
Damari Wheeler-Thomas, North Dakota State
All-Summit League Honorable Mention Carter Bjerke, St. Thomas
Jeremiah Burke, Denver
Joe Sayler, South Dakota State
Andy Stefonowicz, North Dakota State
Damon Wilkinson, South Dakota State
All-Defensive Team Trevian Carson, North Dakota State
Cameron Fens, South Dakota
Ja'Sean Glover, Omaha
Eli King, North Dakota
Nolan Minessale, St. Thomas
All-Newcomer Team Trevian Carson, North Dakota State
Paul Djobet, Omaha
Nick Janowski, St. Thomas
Carter Johnson, Denver
Greyson Uelmen, North Dakota

Source:[36]

Postseason

Conference tournament

Main article: 2026 Summit League men's basketball tournament

All 9 teams qualified for the 2026 Summit League men's basketball tournament. The tournament was held at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from March 4 to 8, 2026.

First Round
March 4
MidcoSN/SLN 		Quarterfinals
March 5 & 6
MidcoSN/SLN 		Semifinals
March 7
CBSSN 		Championship
March 8
CBSSN
1 North Dakota State 76
8 Oral Roberts 84 8 Oral Roberts 65
9 Kansas City 62 1 North Dakota State 74
5 Omaha 50
4 South Dakota 62
5 Omaha 76
1 North Dakota State 70
3 North Dakota 62
2 St. Thomas 80
7 South Dakota State 67
2 St. Thomas 66
3 North Dakota 67
3 North Dakota 83
6 Denver 67

NCAA tournament

Main article: 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
Seed Region School First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four Championship
No. 14 East North Dakota State vs No. 3 Michigan State — — — —
1 Bid W-L (%): 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) TOTAL: 0–0 (–)

NIT

Main article: 2026 National Invitation Tournament
Region School First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Championship
Auburn Region St. Thomas at No. 4 Seattle — — —
1 Bid W-L (%): 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–) TOTAL: 0–0 (–)

References

  1. ^ "West Coast Conference Expands Footprint With Addition of the University of Denver" (Press release). West Coast Conference. October 31, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  2. ^ "Denver Athletics and Wulbrun Mutually Agree to Part Ways". denverpioneers.com. Denver Pioneers. March 20, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  3. ^ "Denver Hires Proven Winner in Bergstraser as Men's Basketball Coach". denverpioneers.com. Denver Pioneers. April 14, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  4. ^ "ORU Athletics Announces Change in Leadership of Men's Basketball Program". oruathletics.com. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. March 7, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  5. ^ "ORU Athletics Announces Kory Barnett as New Head Men's Basketball Coach". oruathletics.com. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. March 28, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  6. ^ "Henderson resigns to assume head role at Drake". gojacks.com. South Dakota State Jackrabbits. March 28, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  7. ^ "Bryan Petersen selected as next SDSU Head Coach". gojacks.com. South Dakota State Jackrabbits. March 29, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  8. ^ "Men's Basketball Program to Undergo Leadership Change in 2026-27". kcroos.com. Kansas City Roos. January 12, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  9. ^ "Mark Turgeon To Bring Big Vision, Stellar Track Record to Kansas City Men's Basketball". kcroos.com. Kansas City Roos. February 1, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  10. ^ "Tommies Top #SummitMBB Preseason Poll For First Time". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. October 7, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  11. ^ "2025-26 Men's Basketball Standings". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  12. ^ "2025-26 Men's Basketball Peak Performers of the Week". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  13. ^ "DU's Burke snags first Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. November 11, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  14. ^ "UST's Minessale claims Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. November 18, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  15. ^ "UST's Minessale garners back-to-back Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honors". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. November 25, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "USD's Bruns claims Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honors". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  17. ^ "UST's Minessale garners third Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honors". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  18. ^ "UST's Minessale repeats as Kwik Star #SummitMBB Peak Performer of the Week". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. December 16, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  19. ^ "OMA's Waddles nets Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. December 23, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  20. ^ "NDSU's Carson claims Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. December 30, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  21. ^ "UST's Janowski garners Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. January 6, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  22. ^ "NDSU's Anderson secures #SummitMBB Kwik Star weekly award". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  23. ^ "DU's Johnson corrals Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  24. ^ "UND's Uelmen nets Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. January 27, 2026. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  25. ^ "Omaha's Djobet garners Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  26. ^ "DU's Johnson claims Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  27. ^ "OMA's Simon snags Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. February 17, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  28. ^ "DU's Johnson corrals third Kwik Star #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. February 24, 2026. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  29. ^ "ORU's Harper claims final #SummitMBB weekly honor". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  30. ^ "North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs. Alabama Crimson Tide". ESPN. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  31. ^ "Denver Pioneers vs. Arizona Wildcats". ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  32. ^ "North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers". ESPN. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  33. ^ "South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. Arizona Wildcats". ESPN. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  34. ^ "2025-2026 Men's Basketball Overall Statistics". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  35. ^ "Summit League sets 2025-26 national basketball television schedule". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. October 20, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  36. ^ "DU's Johnson nets #SummitMBB Player and Newcomer of the Year Honors". thesummitleague.org. The Summit League. March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
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