It’s week three of the Summit League basketball schedule and already things are starting to take shape in the standings.

On the men’s side, two teams, Western Illinois and North Dakota State, have already opened up a two game cushion on the rest of the field.  The Leathernecks and Bison are each 5-0 heading into today’s action; Western Illinois is at Omaha, North Dakota State hosts Oakland.

The Leathernecks are doing it with defense, the third best in the nation, allowing just 51 points per game.  The Bison are in the top 20 in scoring defense, but they have the nation’s best shooter on offense in Marshall Bjorklund.  In 16 games this season, the 6’8” junior is 87-of-125 (69.6%), and at one point hit on 24 consecutive shots.

South Dakota State and South Dakota are in that group that’s two games back.  The Jackrabbits put a 24 game home winning streak on the line today when they host Ft. Wayne.  SDSU is led by senior point guard Nate Wolters, who’s 21 points per game is 12th best in the country.  The Coyotes play 1-4 Kansas City at the DakotaDome tonight.  USD newcomer, Juevol Myles, is fifth in the Summit League in scoring at 15 points per game.  The former Kansas State guard is even better at home this season, averaging 21 points a game in Vermillion.

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