The Sicatoka

C'mon @stoneySIOUX, you promised me you'd never re-air that outtake of us. And I still don't like that brown suit with that gold tie on you.

Let's use this years KRACH and the 3 v 14 (a regional 1 v 4) game that did happen: WMU and NE'n NE'n: 198.8 WMU: 470.6 WMU should win 70.3% of the time, NE'n 29.7%. That was a 3v14. The 1v16 and 2v15 should have stronger favorite win percentages. The 4v13 a little less. Call it "expect 30%" based on WMU/NE'n. Overall the actual 37% is stronger than the about 30% KRACH (WMU/NE'n) would have me expect. I'd say the regional 4s are getting a touch of help (37 > 30) in empty rinks.

I had no idea what an "AthleticDirectorU" is so I read their About page: I'm currently OD'd on buzzwords. Please pass the Narcan. But I am stealing "pragmatic ideation".

The specter haunting Mel Pearson and Michigan: https://www.michigandaily.com/ice-hockey/michigan-hockey-under-investigation/

Mel Pearson might not be long for Michigan. Schloss tweeted he's not at the NCAA coaches meetings in Naples. Big trouble in Ann Arbor? That's a shame.

But if you're a college hockey coach worried about keeping your position, apparently you can be.

This year in my plan would've been: AIC @ Michigan Harv @ MSU-M NE'n @ WMU Lowell @ DU MTU @ UMD UMass @ UMn SCSU @ UND <-- you might convince me to not allow intraconference first round games Notre Dame @ Q'piac ------- I'll assume 2022 winners won (with exception of the two games that didn't happen) Notre Dame @ Mich Q'piac @ MSU-M UMn @ WMU UMD @ DU ------------- Frozen Four

Go to an unregionalized 16 team field based on current process of team selection and seeded by final regular season PWR. Round of 16: The 8 higher seeds host best of 3 series at home sites. Round of 8: After reseeding the winners (again using final regular season PWR, not updated after Round of 16), best of 3 at higher seed sites. Round of 4: Frozen Four at predetermined site.

NCAA FCS (football) uses home sites up to the final two.

Heck of Twitter chat (battle?) going between Schloss, Milewski, and Woden. Woden's saying "hate to break it to you again - but there's zero impetus to make any change like this" <-- basically the small schools don't want to have to play in big, full rinks in front of ... < gasp > ... people! https://twitter.com/SchlossmanGF

The empty regionals barns will be a topic in the coaches meetings: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/commentary-its-time-to-revisit-the-idea-of-home-regionals-at-the-ncaa-mens-hockey-tournament How would you reformat the tourney to make for better environments?

And 18 total but divisible scholarships is a hard number no matter roster size <-- known fixed expense. As you say, as roster grows you have a significant variable expense.

Looks like Cavanaugh at UConn used BC's interest in him to leverage a new deal with UConn. Speculation is BC will go after Greg Brown (former York assistant, currently USHL Dubuque) next.

If you're a numbers geek, or are bored during a weekend of blizzards or thunderstorms, there's a great database on the budgets of college athletics at: https://knightnewhousedata.org/ The sorts and comparison and graphing features are really good.

I see where you're coming from. What I wonder is what impact does carrying 29 (vs 26 or 27) on a roster have on overall athletics department Title IX equity and proportionality numbers?

That needed highlighting. If there's attitudinal problems which affect team morale the formula changes.

Not exactly. McKay's problem happened before the figurative speeding ticket. He knows a car has to have current tabs, but he chose to rent an unlicensed vehicle (not-NSF-approved supplement).

Is that definite? I've seen the claim both ways: - must have new team by May 1 - must be in the portal by May1 <-- pretty sure it's this for hockey based on ... http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Transfer/OneTime_Transfer.pdf Either way, compliance folks are gonna have a busy week or so.

Dryden McKay admitted he knew to be careful of what he as an athlete consumes and yet by his own admission he decided to take a non-NSF-approved supplement. If he had not done that the manufacturer's actions are of no consequence. He knew better. He made the choice. The cops don't stop all the speeders on Demers. But if you speed, it might be you. Don't want the ticket? Don't run the risk.

Well then, to Nabokov I say heartily ...

How? There's no predictions there, just observations of events. And I'd like to see a couple more "they're back" tweets. Then again, I haven't stretched yet today and that right hip is barking.

... or maybe they are ...

If I'm envious of NDSU FB on one thing it's this: Their ability to grind out a 15 play, 70 yard, six and a half minute touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to ice a game, and smash the other team's will to dust. There. I said it.

Interesting claim. When it was known that UND would be putting out an RFP for media rights it was March 15, 2022 and noted that " ... UND will send out a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the coming weeks." Knowing UND's administrative velocity (somewhere between slow and turtle) the RFPs maybe got out April 1. And an RFP normally has a 30, 60, or 90 day window. You're claiming someone has responded already and you know details. Really. Seems I gotta get out to the truck stop for biscuits and gravy more often.

Savage.