The Sicatoka

Mentioning Tusculum, this week's Massey Ratings has Tusculum just one place ahead of Mesa State. If UND only plays one half like in the last two games (and maybe more considering Augie and the non-conference game performances), UND is going to be in trouble because they won't be able to come back against the level of defensive play NDSU is at right now. For UND to win I expect they'll have to play textbook defense and give up no plays over 30 yard plus they'll have to be at least +2 in turnovers. And did I mention that the offense can have no more than four "three and out" drives for the game?

Apparently they're late-bloomers. That's worked the last two weeks. It's not going to work this week.

But Sunday's Fargo Forum reports that the game is sold out. You know what that tells me about $27.50 per seat? They could have gotten more.

You're lucky we like you the other 362 days* a year. * Minus one football and two basketball dates.

Welcome to "The Essence of Using One Data Point To Extrapolate an Infinite Result." There's your host, jimdahl.

I know you all faithfully read the October issue of Sioux Illustrated from cover to cover. UND's AD for NCAA Compliance writes "Complaince Corner." This month's subject was "grants-in-aid," the NCAA's fancy way of saying "scholarships." He mentioned that five UND athletics programs are fully funded (max scholarships), but he didn't say which. He'll put the answer out next month. Why not start the guessing game here. Key information (all credit to Sioux Illustrated, Oct. 2003, "Complaince Corner" for the following) that you'll need to make educated guesses:

Yes, Sedevie ended up with the Beavers. Stingers at Beavers USCHO Recap Stingers at Beavers USCHO Box Score It sounds like it got a little rough at the end.

Dear Prof. McKenzie, hasenpfeffer, bison, it's all the same. It's what's for dinner! This will be UND's only night game and it is outdoors. (They only have one outdoor game remaining: at Mankato.) Based on how it looked out my window this morning, I decided to look into the forecast for Brookings, SD.

Oh yeah! Hasenpfeffer!!!

The Beef Bowl?

Based on number thrown and number landed of the big left by Prpich, the statistics lead me to say, "Yes."

It will always be a hockey arena with a basketball-court-pimple in it once in a while to me.

I believe "Get him away from the ice!" would be "Icu iye toki etaha ci caga!" in the Siouxan tongue, but it's been a while.

First one was free. Now you have to subscribe.

I was told that Hennessy made the final cut to be the "Call(er) of the Wild." That tells me that, setting aside his attachment to the program that comes through at times, he's a top calibre play-by-play guy. But we knew that. On a somewhat related note, I read somewhere that "Shoutin'" Ed Schultz was in the final cut for Voice of the Vikes (won by Paul Allen). As much as Schultz can annoy me (and we won't go into all that again), at least he doesn't have a clipboard full of catchy phrases, and trying-to-sound-cutting-edge bunk, that he tries to slip into games all the time. And as hard as this is to believe, PA makes Ed look objective. A little off subject, but, KFGO got rid of Mick Farkas last spring. Any word on who will be doing Sioux mens basketball? (I believe Scott Swygman will still be doing the womens games. He's not too shabby either.) Kind of fun when you think about it: UND has some relatively decent play-by-play folks.

Relax sprig, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Happy Harry's moved to the NE corner of the intersection of US2 (Gateway Drive) and Columbia Road. It's closer now.

For just $15 per year you can have all the key Parise info before it shows up on POI. By knowing it first you'll be the envy of all your POI buddies! Subscribe Now!

Fine. Disagree with me. Like you said, you'll be wrong. From the NCAA rulebook:

Attention all Sioux hockey tailgaters: I will be coming around "Trick or Treating!" on October 31, prior to the Yale at UND game. Please be prepared with suitable quality and quantities of beer, er, I mean "treats." Thank you.

No, they'd say UND is playing the cupcakes of the NHL.

I don't think anyone, not even Hennen, would give up a gig where you get to watch Sioux hockey without paying for admission (and from the press box no less). Thoughts on this PCM? Regarding the player info displays: The observant amongst you would note it is the same format/layout used for football at The Al as well. I expect is is this season's genre for all sports.

You're right. We did have a failure to communicate. You provided a nice opportunity to point out that UND's non-conference schedule, although not spectacular, wasn't the worst to be found. Some UND fans needed to hear it. (I worried that you'd construe it to be a shot at you when it was intended for schedule nay-sayers in general. It was a risk but I went with it anyway. Sorry.) About DII thinking: Sadly, it appears to be prolific across the whole NCAA. Examples? - A 65 team DI basketball tournament that maybe a dozen and a half have a legitmate chance at winning, but you have to let them have their (alleged) shot. - DIII trying to make the DIIIs that play DI in one sport (Colorado College, St. Lawrence, RPI, Union, Clarkson in hockey, Johns Hopkins in lacrosse) not give scholarships to their DI athletes. - All the things you mentioned in DII.

Whew! Touchy. If you look closely, you'll see that is aimed more at UND than even you. And it wasn't aimed at you as much as all the people who complained about UND's non-conference schedule. You just happened to be the one to give me the perfect set-up. Thanks!

Find a copy of Sports Illustrated from March 4, 2002. There's a story with real scientific polling data (Peter Harris Research Group) of the American Indian population. A sample:

How can this be? I thought someone else had that "honor."