The Sicatoka

Ask one of Minnesota's opponents last season: Alabama - Huntsville. All southerners may not care about hockey (other than that Southeast Division of the NHL, or the 'yotes and Kings and Stars), but they do care about basketball and look where Sioux Basketball moves to next season.

I know, I know, me and my crazy-talk.

I'm going to go out on an edge here and say if Dale were to leave .... UND would take the bold and unexpected action of .... hiring a new head football coach. Now, let's ask the corresponding question: What is NDSU prepared to do if Bohl leaves (say to rejoin Solich somewhere)? See how silly it is to speculate?

Let's run through this with the real facilities that matter: Next year's. I'm going to do this in a boxing "ten point must" system. Football FargoDome Vs. Alerus Center FargoDome 10-8. It wins on capacity, but gives points on atmosphere. Basketball Bison Sports Arena Vs. Ralph Engelstad Arena (yes, hoops moves in next year) REA 10-1. The only comparison is that both have courts and roofs. Baseball Newman Outdoor Field Vs. Kraft Field Newman 10-5. But does anyone north of Omaha (without a dome) care about college baseball? Hockey REA vs. None REA 10-0. Wrestling BSA Vs. (with no wrestling program any more, put the old facility here, Hyslop) BSA 10-8. Seating capacity. Volleyball Benson Bunker Fieldhouse Vs. Ralph Engelstad Arena Sport Center. REA-SC 10-1. The Benson-Bunker-Bombshelter?

Yes they are. And in hockey UND is perceived as a peer because of proven performance (in all aspects important to them). If they leave they'll create their own rules about who and when they'd play in their areas of concern. Do we know what they'd decide? We can speculate. I'd speculate their primary concerns would be football and basketball. It is possible to have a non-NCAA program at an NCAA school. There's a school in Utah that the mens soccer program plays in a semi-pro league yet the rest of their athletics is NCAA so there is precedent. Again, you're asking me to speak for superconferences. All I can do is watch how it unfolds.

Are you expecting me to speak for superconferences who have officials that have been heard (and put in print) saying things like (paraphrased): NCAA membership is voluntary. We choose to pay dues. We choose to be a member. All I can do is sit back and watch how it shakes out. Who knows what a reshaped landscape would look like (other than the big dogs keeping a bigger share of the TV money for football and basketball. That I'd bet on.).

Or it'll come down to history repeating itself: A few big dogs will look around and see all the puppies and decide it's time to go to a different porch. Of course, in this case, those big dogs are the ones who "make rain" for the big TV deals for basketball and football. They'll take those with them wherever they decide to go and the puppies will all be left yippin'.

Let? Per NCAA Bylaw 20.4.1.3:

Toughest test of the season thus far. Not much else to say. One by one.

My semi-finals predictions? Two happy teams playing for a national title the following weekend. Two unhappy teams watching and thinking of what may have been. One by one.

We have a little thing called the Fighting Sioux Sports Network. Our arenas have broadcast facilities built in. A couple of local cable systems take the feed directly off the satellite and put it out there. Plus, they've started (pay per view) webcasting of games also. It's select home football and basketball games and all home hockey games. Road games are hit-and-miss based on whether or not that team has broadcasts. PS - I'm pretty sure the Sioux weren't on broadcast TV in the western part of the state recently because of teams in the NAIA playoffs they were covering. This weekend? Don't believe any television schedule until game time. Things like this come through later in the week. The Al: Home to Fighting Sioux Football The Ralph: Home to Fighting Sioux Hockey (and soon basketball)

Well, they didn't disappoint me, but they didn't give me the best thing I could ask for either.

By the way, you'll never guess what's going on in Thief River Falls, MN, tonight. http://www.trftimes.com/archive/112603/pub...date_set_to.htm Unbelievable.

The TV news reported that the SIQ lawyered-up days ago, before he'd talk to any authorities. (I'm comfortable with SIQ because of his Level 3 status and record.) So who's Dru's advocate and where does she file her defense and appeals for whatever may have happened to her?

From the GF Herald And he gets out and is "rehabilitated" and unsupervised! And does something like this again! Outrageous!

Ga-a-a-a-a-a-a! (insert sound of accelerating footsteps toward a window then someone crashing through it and down multiple stories to their death here) Forgive me if FCC Chairman Powell (as in Sec. of State Colin Powell's son) and his organization still refer to commercial AM and FM broadcasting stations as "radiotelephone" operations. I didn't make the rules. I just played the game.

They have their suspect. The SIQ* has no record of lethal force to his victims. Well, I've now heard the third and second best things I could ask for so far. I'm hoping they don't disappoint me at 1100 hours. * SIQ - scumbag in question

It's out on the web so I guess I'm not giving anything away. http://www.fightingsioux.com/files/152.pdf I believe you'll find two-deep depth charts and rosters in there. (Pages 17 and 18.)

Don't blame me. That's what the FCC calls it .... still.

Who'd go to a movie titled "Brainerd"?

What does UND do and what would they prefer to do are two different answers. What they do: Everything from two back, two TEs to five-wide, depending on the situation. When they find what works or is working that day they (normally) stick with it. What they'd prefer (or maybe I'd prefer): Two TEs and a third TE on the wing with 12 handing the ball to 5 as 47 leads him into the A-gap into the secondary, and first down. (Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.) Tell me about UNA's size on the lines (offensive and defensive).

And yet you'd still mention me for the job? PS - I am available and do have my FCC Third Class Radiotelephone Operator Permit. Plus, I'd do hockey color commentary for free!

I'm glad someone else saw that hockey is more than "heard of" in Alabama.

Just send them this list: Michigan State, Denver, Northern Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Boston University, Boston College and this image: and tell them we do pick on Division I teams also. PS - I wonder if they can match up a list of seven to seven banners, or if seven is an alien concept because it's more than the digits on one hand. Then again, it is Alabama and who knows how many digits they may have per hand.

Temple? Isn't that where former NDSU head coach Rocky Hagar landed? That's way too easy.