It's obvious to anyone that hockey is number one at UND, but to think SI is correct that hockey is the most followed sport or has the most fan support in the state would be incorrect IMO. If the people of the state were asked, I would bet far more follow some type of football or football team. Almost all small towns in ND don't have hockey nor do they care about it. That isn't saying that NDSU football is followed by more people than UND hockey, because I think the tradition UND hockey has, and it is the closest thing the state has to a professional sports team. UND hockey does have a huge following, probably bigger than what the SI stats say, but I would say more people in the state follow football than hockey and basketball might even sneak in someplace.
I hope UND football continues the success they have had the last 10 years or so and wins a few more National Championships. If that happens I bet NDSU football would not even be #2 on the same survey.
How could Jim Leclair not make the list of ND's greatest athletes? IMO he should be on the list ahead of several others.