Greetings from Soo Foo, SD.

We’re now not even a sunrise away from the quarterfinal openers of the men’s and women’s Summit League Basketball Tournament. This is my second year covering the tourney and, although I’d prefer the warmth that a host like Tulsa would yield, Sioux Falls has been very, very good to the media and fans.

One of the tremendous aspects of our host? The turnout for women’s games. I’ve had the opportunity to cover women’s hoops alongside the boys since ninth grade and I won’t speak for attendance across the country, but typically crowds in Michigan for girls/women’s ball just doesn’t draw like it does for the other gender. Here, it doesn’t hurt that the nearby teams have been successful, but crowds for some of the women’s matchups have rivaled or exceeded men’s games, which is great to see.

Speaking of things to see and that local turnout, here are four quick hits on what I’m watching for in as many days at the tourney:

1. Reggie Hamilton’s Last Dance — You can make a case that the Oakland senior got snubbed as Summit League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, leading the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game. If last year’s conference tourney was any evidence, the guard who transferred from UMKC and now wears the black and gold, will let his play on the court do the talking. In the three games he played in to lead the Golden Grizzlies to the NCAA Tournament last year here, Hamilton averaged 23 ppg and a 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio, a foreshadowing of what was to come this season. If the surrounding cast is clicking, no one will be scoffing at the idea of a three-peat.

2. The Oral Roberts Swan Song — Before they depart for the Southland Conference next season, this will be the last time we’re treated to one of the most successful programs in the conference’s history. I’m willing to bet none of the teams here are eager to let the Golden Eagles capture a title headed out the door. On the other side, Scott Sutton and Jerry Binkbeiner will have their players just as hungry: No four-year senior on either the men’s or women’s ORU teams have been to the NCAA Tournament. The success of the men’s team is well-documented, but if you’re still sleeping on junior Kevi Luper, you’ve been missing something special. The Summit League Women’s Conference Player of the Year will likely here her named called at the WNBA Draft, and teams will try to avoid becoming part of the highlight reel this weekend.

3. The Latest Trends — After getting battered early on in conference play, IUPUI got their groove back by winning six of their last eight contests. Their draw tonight is a rematch of their last game of the season, a loss in Brookings to South Dakota State. Scouts have plenty of reason to be present for the whole tournament, but Alex Young and Nate Wolters will provide a whole lotta star power in that 2 vs. 7 battle. Meanwhile, North Dakota State was the darling of the Summit in non-conference and early league play, but faltered and fell to the No. 5 seed heading into Sunday. Fourth-seeded Western Illinois defeated them both times the teams met this season, so coach Saul Phillips will have to get his young squad up for a memorable third meeting if they’re to advance.

4. Will Home Cooking Continue? — As alluded to earlier, the people here really come out to support the local Dakota teams, and anyone denying that there’s an advantage is simply lying to themselves. Not to take anything away from the South Dakota State women’s teams, but they’ve worn the crown all three years Sioux Falls has played host to the festivities. Entering this weekend as the favorite in seeding as well, dethroning the Jackrabbits is going to take plenty of poise along with the usual ingredients.