The Sicatoka

Show 'em the money; show 'em a conference; you'll be amazed how quickly a tune change.

That'd be a gimme on being able to "poo-poo" the data away. I don't see that happening. However, having the study would answer that definitely.

Reading the two different Herald articles today here are some take-aways that caught my eye: The NDSU market survey didn't ask that question, but it asked two similar: "Survey respondents were asked if they believe that moving to Division I could increase the perceived value of an NDSU degree." Students 26%, Faculty/staff 23% " ... respondents strongly agree or agree that Division I would havea positive impact on the (general) image of NDSU" Students 64%, Faculty/staff 51% That aligns with what TeamMakers said in NDSU's survey (using their $500 or $250 annually numbers). That aligns with what TeamMakers said they'd do as well in the cases of MBB and WBB. Their response was even stronger for football (obviously). Why not? Isn't that key data? Oh well, spilled milk. The fence group at UND seems to want to know "conference" (and "cost"). Given what has been observed at the SUs so far that seems fair to want to know. The number tossed around yesterday was "$10 million". If that's 84% that means the average DI budget is $11.9 million. Considering Ohio State's is nearly eight times that there must be some really tiny budgets out there at some places. That's a gimme.

I keep coming across this theme in various postings from our non-UND contingent on the board. I'm not sure why however.

I'll agree. Right now there's too much outside of the realm of either UND's or NDSU's control and it's rather scary for both. The recent activity in the Mid-Con (Chicago State departure) may be the spur that someone like Fullerton could use to say to the leaders, "Act now or get stuck with second choices, or worse, no autobid later."

UND is doing good things but they sure don't promote them very well. Here's a classic example: http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/14538866.htm

Litigate, live with it, or change. http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/14533225.htm

From NDSU Market and Revenue Potential survey: NDSU respondents wanted "the known" (the NCC foes) over the options. I see that theme, give me a "known" (a conference), playing out in the UND results as well.

Heck, I say answer one of the two and more than half of the problem goes away. (Yeah, the math doesn't work, but conference solves part of money, and money solves almost everything.)

How to be better at getting other folks' money? No, wait, ...

That's an assumption. Kupchella's response to the NCAA August surprised me. I never thought he'd surprise me. I'll wait to see what comes this time. That's honesty. I appreciate that.

Yo, "MplsBison", you asked that question other ways and places. Try this and see: " .... MplsBison, just out of curiousity, would you be angry if NDSU anounced that some of the resources that would've gone to football will now go to help the volleyball and baseball teams with the transition?" I think you'll find yourself giving the same answers that PCM gave.

The flip side of these results is if a group showed up with the money and a conference option opened up it's all out there on the table: The DI supporters could show they've met the criteria of the majority of folks.

Going with the "echo chamber" thought, again, will all of the data be put out there for review? I want to compare what I've seen with those results (to re-adjust all the mental filters). I say that because the underlined portions below make no sense. Where's this "favoring raising $1.5 million more yearly" phrase coming from? Either we need the context of the question (and group questioned), or someone at the Herald needs to re-write that to be more understandable.

Two key take-aways from the Herald: Like I've said, it comes down to: Cost Conference

Dude, you have to admit an offer and pull-back is out there. I'll say you turned out to be correct, but I didn't assault you as a source (I questioned something even you first called a "rumor") so I don't believe an apology is in order. How could this occur? Who all was direct witness to it? I'd expect better from Buning. (If an apology is in order it may be from Buning to the Army for forgetting what they taught him about professionalism.)

Is the Herald going to be putting all of the questions and results out there?

That "90% ... conference" thing is even stronger than past GF Herald polls (not that you should ever trust on-line polls all that much). http://forums.grandforks.com/n/mb/message....sg=23.1&ctx=256 http://forums.grandforks.com/n/mb/message....g=112.1&ctx=256 Those two were fairly consistent in: About 1/3 yes, about 1/3 "if conference", and about 1/3 no. "90%" is a mammoth number in any survey.

OK, I'm somewhere between very stunned and very shocked. I'd expect more from an Army man. (Context of the sequence of events would be very useful.)

Where's that guy that always says: Follow the Benjamins. All will become clear. Meanwhile, last night on Fox News at 9 out of Fargo, I see Governor Hoeven talking about how the NCAA has overreached and how he long expected it to go to court and that he expects UND to win.

Nooooooooooo ..... Show him The Betty and The Ralph!

Forgive me, but I don't see a former Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army being as unprofessional as that, and I say that out of respect for the US Army as much at Mr. Buning. I'd chalk that up as less than rumor, maybe even wishful thinking by some at best.

http://www.pointstreak.com/framedc/players...playerid=558815

Isn't there some quote about "cows" and "free milk" that'd fit in here somewhere? Indiana? Isn't that where our beloved Myles Brand was president (and where he fired some hack hoop coach named Knight from)?

Joe Chapman -- Press release! Charles Kupchella -- No press release. Seems accurate.