The Sicatoka

I say this is the game we let Mussman put some things "on the game film" to let the rest of the NCC fret about for the rest of the season. If they work against UNI all the better; if they don't, UND lost to the #3 ranked DI-AA in the country. Seems kind of "no lose" to me.

Why would a school that has a history of winning exhibitions against DI BB teams go DII? Why would they want to guarantee to double their "newbie" pergatory (new DII probation followed by DI transition probation later on)? They'd probably struggle mightily in BSC FB at first, but in MBB they'd be an instant challenger. And let's not mention what they could do in hockey from the start. I'd guess they'd prefer going DI immediately (if a conference slot was available to them).

An extra 3 or 6 points would look a lot better on the board right now.

CRR: If you're going more play-by-play than update, how about "time remaining" too.

We don't want to know what you do with your left hand. Manke's not the starter is he?

What's the expectation? The 2003 (data I had handy) MBB DI average was 5097, but the median was only 3010. (Only 109 of 327 DI schools beat the average.) Going from below to above the median would be a significant first step, wouldn't it? So the BSC has downgraded that quickly (after NDSU is in the MidCon/GWFC) that a first hope/goal for UND shouldn't be the BSC anymore but NDSU's original third option (after BSC and Missouri Valley)?

How 'bout a defensive stop to go with it?

Sir, no Sir!

If you'd keep it tucked in and not stickin' out there all the time (when drinkin' complimentary beverages with various press box celebrities) we wouldn't have a concern.

Given that the world is trying to shift to HDTV formats, the move is away from 4:3 toward 16:9.

Spill, "sudo"-boy.

I wouldn't have normally included "32" or "34", but given Lammy's affirmative gesture toward John Vanbiesbrouck I'm including those two numbers forthwith and heretofore. Nobody'd better ask about "12" or "23".

Are the details available yet? Is there a "buy in" fee up front? Is there a "buy out" in the event of an early departure (within "x" years after entrance)?

Yes, and they also look at academic reputation, undergraduate programs offered, graduate programs offered, professional programs offered, and the demographics (public/private) of the school. Either way, it's a fun ride ahead.

My assumption is that none of the returning players is changing numbers. My list has the following numbers (from 35 and down) available: 1, 3, 5, 11, 13, 15, 18, 19, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35. I have six guys that don't have assigned numbers yet: Bishop, Forney, Genoway, Grieco, VandeVelde, Zajac. Anyone know if any numbers have been assigned to the new guys yet?

And in rides Chief Osceola on Renegade, flaming spear in hand.

Data from USCHO box scores and NCAA.org: 1999-2000 DU Average: 4371 2002-2003 DU Average: 5396 2003-2004 DU Average: 4787 Post-Championship season for DU (2005), UND at DU --> two sellouts Friday, February 24, 2006 at Magness Arena (Att: 6140) Saturday, February 25, 2006 at Magness Arena (Att: 6145) UND at DU in 2003-2004 (avg is 4787) Friday, November 21, 2003 at Magness Arena (Att: 5960) Saturday, November 22, 2003 at Magness Arena (Att: 4916) UND at DU in 2002-2003 (avg is 5396) Friday, February 14, 2003 at Magness Arena (Att: 5312) Saturday, February 15, 2003 at Magness Arena (Att: 6008) Not having the exacts (not available at NCAA.org), but here's UND at DU in 2000-2001 (1999-2000 avg is 4371): Friday, November 03, 2000 at Magness Arena (Att: 4773) Saturday, November 04, 2000 at Magness Arena (Att: 5880) How's that?

The major DI-As run about a $30 MM FB budget. That'd take an endowment of roughly $600 MM. Do I expect someone to plink down that kind of cha-ching? I ain't holdin' my breath. However, is it impossible? (See: "leather seats and granite floors hockey arena in Grand Forks, ND") Would I turn away someone with a big dream and the coin to back it? In 1975 would anyone have dreamed of playing a championship season under a roof in 2001 at UND? In 1985? 1990? Big dreams don't all happen; however, some do. And they all have to start somewhere, as some crazy notion. To me this is a big dream, and today it sounds like a crazy notion, but that's OK because it's a big dream. "From the coaching staff, to everyone at the arena, and the entire school, there is a dedication to strive to be better and that is contagious." -- Andrew Kozek, talking about the University of North Dakota. I'm most happy to see someone is thinking of "where could we go in a best-case" scenarios. If you don't dream big looking ahead you never go anywhere.

DU sold out every game after a championship season. Shocking. Take the longer perspective please. Thank you.

Is this "850" number for the budget for the year that just ended (FY 06), or is this the fiscal year 2007 (FY 07) budget they are currently operating under and the $850k is a projected deficit for FY 07? Which year do the consultants on a long term facilities plan get paid under (FY 06 or FY 07)? Was there a "golden parachute" clause for Rich Glas or was it straight resign and go? What kind of bonus incentives have kicked in for a mens hockey coaching staff that's gone to two straight Frozen Fours? Any? None? What kind of bonus incentives have kicked in for a football coaching staff that's gone to the playoff how many times in a row? Any? None? What kind of bonus incentives have kicked in for a womens BB coaching staff that set a school record for wins at the start of a season? Any None? What's the status of REA's books and when does their fiscal year end*? There's lots of stuff going on. I'd love the details, not just a statistic. * Any REA profits come back to UND.

... unless they had a major "sugar daddy".

Mike Tyson's cellmate? And Mike thinks he has cute ears and would make a good "girlfriend"?

C'mon Jim, thinking that is like thinking UND could be consistently #2 in the nation in average attendance in mens ice hockey and have and fill an 11500 seat rink in Grand Forks. You know we can't do that either.

People, "long term planning". It's better to think big in a long timeframe and have a plan and end up maybe not needing it rather than not planning ahead and getting caught with needs and no plan to meet them at some later date. It's fun to read, but read it for what it is: long-term speculation and musing.

More fun reading on the topic at http://gfheraldcitybeat.blogspot.com/2006/...other-dull.html