The Sicatoka

It doesn't have to be a huge stretch. It doesn't even have to be logical. It's the NCAA. They do whatever is politically expedient for their benefit.

People, look who set up "Fabi-o's" goals: Erik Fabian (Drew Stafford, Robbie Bina) Erik Fabian (Ryan Hale, Matt Greene) Erik Fabian (Drew Stafford, Matt Greene) Fabian got us through a weekend. Let's see who gets us through a season.

I'm still concerned about the lines (offensive and defensive). I'm hoping spring football clears up who will "lead the way" or "stop the first wave" next fall. If those two groups perform as well as this year's (and 2001's) look out. What's behind them is loaded.

Congratulations to the UND Womens Swimming and Diving Team. Twenty-three conference titles in a row! The UND Mens Swimming and Diving Team had a pretty good weekend (swept all events at conference!), and couple of decades, as well (same link). Congratulations to them all and good luck at Nationals.

Goon made Roger Thomas' and Dr. Kupchella's case for them right here. Should UND fans be dropping F-bombs and other vulgarity toward visitors? Look how even Goon referred to the MSU-M fan that dropped an F-bomb toward Tim Hennessy: "jerk." So, good fans or "jerks." You decide.

Look at what's going on at Michigan, Michigan State, and Maryland (and don't kid yourself, now Oregon and the Pac-10 will be next). To think the NCAA won't try is to not understand the NCAA. Remember: All the actions at all these places started after the 2004 NCAA meetings in Nashville in January. I believe something is afoot from those meetings.

Anyone listening clearly heard what was said. Anyone listening knew that person was making a horrible impression. That's why the efforts of Roger Thomas (and Dr. Kupchella) are important. Are UND fans "that guy" or better than that?

Rumor has it that Al "White Cowboy Hat" Pearson's group (two buses) is staying in the Holiday Inn Downtown. Those folks never have any fun, pre- or post-game.

Stafford is only 18 plus a few months, right? To be drafted this summer, wouldn't he have to opt in and thus lose his collegiate eligibility (like the BU goalie DiPietro (sp) a few years back)? EDIT: Yup, he would. Given the NHL CBA situation, I'm not sure that opting in right now would be a wise move. I hope he waits (but that's me being greedy). He's big and talented. He'll be a high draft pick if he opts in or if he waits for 2005. Plus, it sounds like he'd be OK on the free agent market too.

I was hoping you weren't going to say "Dan Hammer." Hammer left KVLY-TV and is no longer associated with them and now works for Clear Channel ND. The only time I hear KVLY people on KFGO are for a "what's on KVLY-TV news tonight" spot (or the same for sports). I'm not sure if those are "comps" or paid ads. Otherwise, KFGO news/weather/sports is KFGO people.

A green paper, two-sided letter was waiting for me in my cupholder Friday (in the upper deck) as well. It was pretty clearly aimed at fans and fan behavior. Regarding "cupholders": Wasn't there a problem in Season One at REA where some of the cupholders were intentionally damaged by some students (and the act was caught on tape)? Help me out. I seem to recall something along those lines but haven't found anything in a quick web search.

Can you draw a better connection between those two? I missed it.

So did I. Guess what: A season ticket holder could lose their seats too. This isn't "students" issue. This is a "fans" issue in the eyes of Kupchella (who was consistent on that "fans" point on the radio with Scott Hennen) and Roger Thomas and UND and the NCAA.

Not to interrupt a perfectly good rip-Kupchella-fest, but I believe everyone (students and season ticket holders) got a letter from .... Roger Thomas .... on Friday. Roger Thomas does give a rip about what the (not students) fans say in the stands apparently. Commence the rip-Roger-Thomas-fest.

I read somewhere that in the past there was this crazy notion called "unbiased journalism."

I want the audio, the ring, the house lights, and the lasers too.

Some pretty good fan commandments here.

Did I mention the Visitor's Starting Center? Link (That would be "fragile, and no hands." )

Using the Daktronics boards before the game to "preview" the other team's starting roster would be fun. Show this picture with the caption: Visitor's Starting Goalie. Link to picture. Show this picture with the caption: Visitor's Starting Defenseman.

Those aren't real? Whoda thunk?

Let me clarify my point of view on this. The band, the music, the PA announcer: None are supposed to be "doing their thing" when the puck is in play*. With the ability of the referee to "warn" the crowd about hats after a hat trick, are we sure a penalty can't be assessed for not following this part of game protocol? They need to sell the advertisements to make the economic engine go. Should some of the copy be reviewed to ensure it can be read in under 20 seconds? Probably. * The only exception is the PA announcer to report goals and assists.

The band or canned music is not allowed when the puck is in play. Why do I often hear Scott Hennen on the PA, doing something other than reporting goals and assists, during play (for example, live ads that take too long, hint, hint)?

Clearly, no one forced Oien to offer to resign (or else they'd have taken it). Oien offering to resign tells me that he believes he may have done something that may tarnish those he is associated with. Offering his resignation gives them a way to get away from him. SDSU chose not to. As this plays out we'll uncover the wisdom of their decision. PS - What's the Women's Studies department at SDSU think about this? Shouldn't they be in an uproar simply over the accusations and charges?

1234: I won't disagree with the 8 points. What I will say is this: "If UND has an SOS greater than 8.0, playing NDSU and winning would still bring their SOS down." If UND's SOS is 9.00 though 10 games, playing NDSU and winning would still lower it to 8.91. JACKGUY: Tell me about schedules of teams that expect to make the DII playoffs this fall. (Winona lost a huge, critical senior class.)

The formula for FB SOS is posted. You saw it. Tell me how playing a DI-AA would not hurt the SOS if UND won every other game (against all DIIs). Playing a DI-AA last year, with a road loss to a DII, would have hurt UND's SOS. The math is there. It's analytic. As far as basketball opponents, NDSU's schedule isn't out yet. You'd hate to have any of those words come back at you.