The Sicatoka

Pure speculation, but I wonder if as long as there's women's hockey there's a "hockey beat" and everything else. No women's hockey and Brad has to pick up some other load.

My guess (pure guess): Studsrud (Sr) to this new Zimmerman (incoming transfer Soph) fellow to the HS recruit from Edina Brock Boltmann. That's what it looks like to this casual observer's eye. The wildcard is how is Heidlebaugh progressing.

Nothing gets by Abe Vigoda.

Let me ponder that again ... UND is cutting administrative, VP level, positions.

That's the number. It's in here: http://blogs.und.edu/und-today/2017/02/starting-from-the-top/ It's about at the bottom in the bullet points. Now, knowing "12%" is the working number (most common) in that document, it tells me UND had done work already because the number heard from Bismarck (and from Bresciani at NDSU recently) is "20%". Or thinking of this further, $1.3 million is 12% of $10.8 million. But UND's Athletics budget is more like $22 to $24 million. That says some serious work was already done in there to make only $1.3 necessary now to reach the final goals.

A university cutting out administrative positions? < faints >

I need to see the official %gobc meeting minutes to believe it or it's all hokum.

Last I read they don't have all their financing in order yet. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2016/06/17/state-awards-12-million-toward-coralville-arena/86033032/

This is why I'd see UNO being ahead of UMD (if this all happens and it's not UND).

farce, I see UMD or UNO as noise, leverage, pressure, on UND should an offer come. --> "Take it or we'll ... " I just don't see a "hyphen" (UM-D or UN-O) getting in with Big Brother.

Pro tip! Danke!

Is that NCAA tourney/Frozen Four distribution money? Aren't those dollars are normally distributed by conference, not school.

You know, that's a good point. UND risks getting kicked to the curb later on. That's not good. So, I'm adding it to my list of things to negotiate should the opportunity arise. - UND conf home games must be Fri/Sat nights with current game times unless UND (and UND alone) changes it - media rights - "ejection" fee --> UND should have to pay < number > if they choose to leave; however, UND should say you owe us < number > if you try to eject us - NCHC exit fees - revenue sharing

Shoot. I was hoping WDAY'Z Extra or BEK-TV was covering the games. It'd be something to have on the other monitor while hacking away.

"Understaffed" is being polite.

I know the perception of the BSC is "five-wide". I'd say the problem of defending in the BSC is "diversity of offense". You have EWU chuckin' the pigskin; you have Poly running power Wing-T; you have Montana's and MSU 11 and 12 sets. What does UND have to do to be ready for the MVFC? Strengthen (deepen) the offensive line and defensive front, but that's the plan already. Wasn't it the NDSU fans here saying not that long ago if UND played "midwest" football in the BSC we'd be fine? Well, UND plays "midwest" football (stout defense, run based offense) and won the BSC this season. I don't see how that'll be a problem going to the MVFC.

The other aspect of the B1G is their Big Ten Academic Alliance (formerly the CIC). That group, as a group, lobbies Congress for research dollars and collaborates on research. I suspect a former MN Congressman (The Honorable Mark R. Kennedy) has probably been lobbied by them at some point in his career. And knowing how Congressmen work, he probably still has all, ALL, the names and phone numbers, including presidents. I'm not saying UND would be any part of that; however, it's always good to know people who know people.

I do believe it's possible for UND and NDSU to be the top two in FCS at the same time and for an era. I base this on UND and NDSU being the top two in DII WBB for a long time. Right now, both are top 12. That says each team is a couple players away from it.

The BTN needs Sunday afternoon filler programming.

The other question that just rattled in my head -- women's hockey at B1G members: UMn, UW, OSU, PSU.

Shhhhhhh!!!!!! Don't give it away!

Current BTHC (6): UMn, UW, UMi, MiSU, OSU, PSU. Soon to be BTHC (7): UMn, UW, UMi, MiSU, OSU, PSU, Notre Dame. Seven is not a great, workable number. Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State got Notre Dame in (affiliate) to put butts into (hockey rink) seats. Minnesota and Wisconsin went along, but what are they going to get in exchange? I really could see BTHC looking to add an eighth team to make scheduling and post-season conference play easier.

That I believe. Schloss probably doesn't have anyone that 'inside' unless he and Happy (of USCHO fame) are really behind-the-scene pals. (Doubt it.)

UND has school colors turf and end zones before it was cool and trendy.