It's the question area college basketball fans have been asking: just how good will defending Summit League champs South Dakota State be without Nate Wolters this season?

One early answer? Not as good.

The 2013-14 Sporting News College Basketball Yearbook is the first to hit newsstands, and in his breakdown of the Summit League, John Akers of the Basketball Times, has the Jackrabbits slipping to third place behind North Dakota State and conference newcomer Denver.

South Dakota is picked sixth.

The Sporting News Projections:

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

SDSU is not only the defending regular season champs in the Summit, they have won the conference tournament each of the last two years.

Jordan Dykstra, South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Robby Gallagher/South Dakota State University
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The Sporting News does have senior Jordan Dykstra on the pre-season All-Summit League team.  Dykstra started all 35 games last season, averaging 13 points and 8 rebounds.  He has started 61 straight games for the Jackrabbits.
The Sporting News Pre-Season All-Summit League Team:

Jordan Dykstra, South Dakota State
Marshall Bjorklund, North Dakota State
Taylor Braun, North Dakota State
Justin Simmons, Omaha
Chris Udofia, Denver
Top Player: Chris Udofia, Denver
Top Newcomer: Ja’Rob McCallum, IUPUI
Top Coach: Jim Molinari, Western Illinois

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