The Sicatoka

I don't know if you heard correctly, but if you did that'd be a big ol' orange middle finger aimed at Myles Brand (on national TV no less).

What do I think? 1. I think the gap from the top of DII to the top of DI-AA isn't as big as some would have us believe. 2. I think the Gophers laid a serious smack, on the road, on a MAC team earlier this season. 3. I think the Gophers will be reminded of Montana State over Colorado and New Hampshire over Northwestern many times in the week before that game v. NDSU. 4. I think UND will be reminded of Montana State's flop after beating Colorado many times this week. 5. I think NDSU had better worry about 230-ish pound defensive ends against 330-ish pound tackles for Northeastern. (Rocky would love nothing better than .... ) PS - I hear Northeastern runs a 3-4 defense.

Agreed.

Original. (The Feds use lethal injection, not the electric chair.)

Dear RT, Dude, Duluth and Augie don't have the "bling." And the Mid-Con wouldn't look at adding up to four (UND, SCSU, MSU-Mankato, USD) schools to make 16; they'd add that many if there was a mass Mid-Con exodus first. But in that scenario the Mid-Con could be short the key prize: the MBB autobid.

I can't disagree with that; however, ... What are the goals of Sac St and Northern Arizona, and I'll toss Portland State into the mix also? If it's to expand their base in Canada there's a nice option for them. If it's to move to a Pacific time zone or west coast only conference there are other options (which most likely don't align with the rest of the BSC). What are their goals? Again, "we shall see".

We all agree that the BSC is a tough "read" as to what their goals are. Now, let me ask a simple question: What are their goals? If it was to spread into the Dakotas, yes, the SU "2-for-1" would be perfectly logical. Apparently, based on actions (or is it inactions?) that's not the goal. If it was to add large metro TV markets there are other solutions. If it was to expand their audience (and credibility, and recruiting base) to the north, meaning Canada, there are solutions for that. Like PCM posted in another thread: "Anybody can say anything. Nobody knows everything." What are the goals of the BSC? "We shall see" is the safest statement.

Did you know that just recently Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) received a grant to improve customer services and to lure in an airline with a western hub. A most amazing coincidence I'd say.

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?