Reigning tournament champion South Dakota State has been picked as the favorite to capture the 2016-17 Summit League Women's Basketball Championship, according to the annual preseason poll of league coaches, sports information directors, and media.

The Jackrabbits collected 30-of-34 first place votes to finish ahead of IUPUI in the balloting. Defending WNIT champion, South Dakota, is picked third. The Coyotes grabbed three first place votes.

SDSU opens the season October 27, in Brookings, with an exhibition against Minnesota - Crookston. USD, under new head coach Dawn Plitzuweit, opens with Southern Illinois - Edwardsville, at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, November 11,

SUMMIT LEAGUE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 2016-17 PRE-SEASON POLL

  1. South Dakota State
  2. IUPUI
  3. South Dakota
  4. Oral Roberts
  5. Omaha
  6. Western Illinois
  7. North Dakota State
  8. Denver
  9. Fort Wayne

Jackrabbits junior guard Macy Miller is the Summit League's Preseason Player of the Year. Last season's Tournament MVP and a first team all-league selection, Miller averaged 16 points, five rebounds and three assists a year ago.

Two other SDSU players, center Clarissa Ober and forward Ellie Thompson, are also on the first team.

PRE-SEASON ALL SUMMIT LEAGUE FIRST TEAM

  • G- Danielle Lawrence (IUPUI) - Junior
  • G - Macy Miller (SDSU) - Junior
  • C- Clarissa Ober (SDSU) - Senior
  • C - Mikale Rogers (IUPUI) - Senior
  • C - Mikaela Shaw (Omaha) - Senior
  • F - Ellie Thompson (SDSU) - Junior
  • Preseason Player of the Year: Macy Miller (SDSU)

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