South Dakota State, the reigning tournament champion, was selected as the favorite to capture the 2016-17 Summit League Women’s Basketball Championship in the annual preseason poll of league coaches, SIDs and media.
The Jackrabbits collected 30-of-34 first place votes and totaled 542 points in the polling.
IUPUI was second with 438 points while two-time defending regular season champion South Dakota edged out Oral Roberts for third place with 393 points and three first-place votes. The Golden Eagles accumulated 391 points and the final first-place tally.
| SUMMIT LEAGUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2016-17 PRESEASON POLL | ||
| Place | Team | Points (1st) |
| 1. | South Dakota State | 542 (30) |
| 2. | IUPUI | 438 |
| 3. | South Dakota | 393 (3) |
| 4. | Oral Roberts | 391 (1) |
| 5. | Omaha | 325 |
| 6. | Western Illinois | 250 |
| 7. | North Dakota State | 156 |
| 8. | Denver | 150 |
| 9. | Fort Wayne | 80 |