A New Schedule for a Revamped League
The Summit League unveiled its 2026‑27 men’s and women’s basketball slate this week, laying out a schedule that will see South Dakota State and South Dakota meet twice in the upcoming Interstate Series on Jan. 16 and Feb. 13, 2027.
Under the new format, each of the league’s eight full‑time members will engage in a home‑and‑home series against every other opponent, a structure designed to maximize conference play while preserving regional rivalries.
Tournament Details and Recent Performance
The conference tournament is slated for March 4‑7 at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, where the top teams will battle for automatic bids to the NCAA tournament.
Recent results add intrigue: the Jackrabbits’ women’s squad captured its fourth straight Summit League championship in 2025‑26, while the men’s team posted a 14‑18 record, marking their first losing season since 2009‑10. Meanwhile, South Dakota’s women improved dramatically from 11‑20 to 26‑10, earning a Fab Four berth in the WNIT.
Implications of Conference Realignment
The schedule announcement follows the departure of Denver from the league, leaving the Summit League with a refreshed roster of eight institutions, including North Dakota State, the University of North Dakota, and the University of Utah, among others. This realignment promises heightened competition and increased visibility for the participating schools, many of which are leveraging strong community ties and growing athletic programs to bolster recruitment and fan engagement across the Upper Midwest.