AJS

This is a tricky situation, where you know the program isn't where it can be if they went another direction. I look at it as a tough love situation. If we are doing hypothetical situations and this year it came down to keeping Jones if they made the title game and lost or going another direction if they lose the semi-final game, then I truly would prefer that they lose the semi-final game. Obviously we wouldn't know the outcome of the Final game, so you'd cheer for them to win the semi-final. This post won't be a like machine, but I've seen enough of Jones coached teams at UND. They Big Sky isn't a great basketball conference and even the years they have performed well, they are barely over .500. The mediocrity needs to end.

I agree with this. Let's take it one step further, what happens if this team finishes Top 3 and makes a run to the Big Sky Title game and loses? Or gets back to another semifinal and loses? I feel the same way as 95% of others do about Jones, but I don't think it's a slam dunk that he'll be fired.

I know Schlossman mentioned Casey as well in his game notes as a person who has really improved throughout the year. Coming into the year, this freshman D-core was definitely the least heralded I can ever remember at UND, from a "hype" or junior accolades position. Having both Poolman and Johnson step up this year is not only crucial to this years success, but also more importantly for years to come. I really like what I've seen from both lately.

I could be wrong, but when it comes to recruiting battles, I'd be surprised if the "size" of Fargo, or its location has anything to do with a recruits final decision. I mean shocked having lived both places. *Not saying GF would have the advantage, but it's a wash. I actually think for college GF is a much better town to live in, imo.

At the end of the season Bubba named 3 positions that had to be better for this team to take the next step. Offensive line: They were atrocious the first 4 games, replacing 4 starters and a TE. They really came together as a solid group by the end of the year. As mentioned before, they have 8 players returning that started games and only lose 1 (very good) player. Along with the 8 players returning, there are glowing reviews from 3 players who will be RS freshman next year. The O-Line will be solid and deep next year. Check Secondary: They gave up too many big plays this year and depth was an issue. They return 2 All-Americans and two CB's that I believe are the real deal in Hunt and Holm, both who played as freshman last year. They'll both get better with a year under their belt. If Arnell is granted a medical RS, they'll return all their starters. Stewart was picked up, which will help depth. Hopefully some of the younger guys like Canady, Randolph and Tucker will be able to push for a 2-deep spot. I really like this group. Check QB: Studsrud was inconsistent last year, looking great at times and bad others. I'll scratch the first four games, since the O-line was really bad in front of him. It's important to note too that when Georges went down, it left him with Stanley being the only returning WR that played the rest of the way. This year they return their top 4 WR's, Mercer came on big at the end of the year and TT / Wanzek were very good as true freshman. He'll have a lot of weapons this year. Zimmerman will need to be a player as a back up, which is still a question. Questionable Along with the three that Bubba mentioned, I also look for big holes that were created due to graduation. The only unit that was hit hard was the Linebacker unit, which will lose 3 starters and another off the 2-deep chart. LB: Return 4 off the two deep chart that played significant minutes last year. Losing 1/2 is pretty significant, so hopefully there's a handful that are ready to step up. There's no question this will be the most hyped team of the D-1 era, they are coming off their best year as a program and return so much. This should also be the first team that I'd say has true depth up and down their roster, with only one group that I'd call a true "work in progress". Can't wait for August.

I want to start off by saying Chambers is a complete loser, always has been. Reading the article I also agree with your "vibe of glee" and single mom comment. Jost has said himself that he wants to get to the NHL as quick as possible, so I'd be surprised if he's back after this year.

Why would they have to "open up the check book for Walthall?" I guess maybe we have different definitions, but I'd imagine anyone would listen to a job offer that would pay them 30 or 40% more per year with minor relocation necessary.

Such a big win to start the 2nd half of the season. 10-6-3 and ranked #9 in the pairwise is respectable with some of the inconsistent play we've seen so far and especially considering Boeser has either been playing hurt or out for the entire 1st half. This is a team that could win it all again in April. Some thing that need to happen. Boeser gets healthy, with Jost and a healthy Boeser you have two of the Top 5 players in the country on one team 2nd line - Need Poganski and Gardner to play like they did yesterday every night. UND should be able to win the 2nd matchup on a nightly basis Scoring depth - Need Hoff, Wilkie and company to start adding a goal a night from the 3rd and 4th lines Special Teams - Simply needs to be better, positive is it can't be worse than it was in the 1st half Defensively, they've built throughout the year. I really liked the line combinations last night. Wolanin wasn't great last night, but we've seen series like SCSU where he was the best Dman on the ice. We know what Cam can do, so no worries at goalie. In general, although they've been on the wrong side of the scoreboard, they've played Duluth and Denver tough. They can play with anyone in the country. Let's watch this team slowly climb up the PWR rankings in the 2nd half. The regional in Fargo is as big of a home ice advantage as there is in the tourney. This will be a fun second half.

Play worse Wolanin

He did have an Air Force offer prior, but I'm with you that no other FBS offers come in the next month.

Then this year will be resounding success. Like with Mussman you see a point with a program where it's broken beyond repair. It's been this way with Jones for as long as I can remember. Get a young coach that has something to prove and see what he can do.

PATHETIC! I didn't know 2 for 10 from the line was even possible, so at least I saw that tonight. Hell of a start to another mediocre conference season

Pull Crandell if you want to have a shot, he's been absolutely brutal

What has to happen for Jones to get fired? Whatever that is, that's what I'm cheering for this year.

Pathetic

This is on par with what they've been saying all along. His last comment really says it all, that they'll keep a close eye on the situation. There are so many details to be ironed out, but I can guarantee if it ends up happening and the G5 breaks off and forms a truly new division with a playoff system, NDSU will be there. I hope Faison and UND are doing exactly what NDSU is doing, because if the time actually comes where this is a reality, they better be making the jump too.

The AD and the University need to figure out that with a school this size, basketball can make the biggest splash on a national stage and invest the money it takes into the program to make it happen.

Obviously winning the conference tournament and making the NCAA's is always the most important goal, but what you said has been more frustrating than any of the Big Sky tournament losses. UND has never put themselves to be anymore than one of the 4 first round games if they did make it, because of their terrible non-conference record every single year. Add that to what is always a mediocre Big Sky record and you have a team a couple games above .500 with an awful RPI entering the Big Sky tourney. They need to figure out a way to beat average mid-major teams (like North Florida and Wright State) and then get a signature win to put themselves in a decent position. That has never happened. Just once I'd like to enter the Big Sky tourney knowing that if they do pull it off, that they won't just get one of the 4 play in games.

Really excited about Gibson, he has the size, speed and hands. He'll be able to cover a lot of ground in the secondary.

Right, "____ Up" is there right alongside "Roll ____" and "____ Nation" as phrases almost every school uses. They are about as unoriginal as it gets (unless you are Alabama and actually created it).

Question for anyone who knows the ins and outs of recruiting. UND currently has 16 commitments with 28 offers still on the table. Using defensive backs as the example, the last two commitments were from players recruited as CBs. They still have offers out to 7 defensive backs. You only have a need for X amount of players for each group in each class. Are the coaches in constant contact with the other 7 who have offers, letting them know let's say they only have one scholarship left at that position? Once it's filled do they pull the scholarship offers from all the others?

Nick Deluca was granted his medical hardship waiver today, wonder when we'll hear about Georges and Arnell?

Based on SS's wiki, these appear to be the most highly sought after recruits that have offers from UND. Hoping they land one or two of them. TE Devin Wilson, 6'6“, 250, Talladega (Central), AL Has offers from Jacksonville State & NDSU (plus two others) Eric Rousemiller, 6'4“, 290, 5.3, Lakeville (South), MN (2 Star - 247) Has PWO offer from UM OT Matt Henningsen, 6'5”, 265, 5.2, Menomonee Falls (Menomonee Falls), WI Has offers from IL St, USD & WIU DE James Jackson, 6'3”, 220, 4.8, St. Paul (Cretin Hall Durham), MN (2 Star - 247 & Scout) Has offers from SDSU, Youngstown St, WIU, UNI & WY DE Boye Mafe, 6'5, 220, Minnetonka (Hopkins), MN (3 Star - Scout & 247) Has offers from SDSU, UM, UNI & WY LB Noah Harvey, 6'4”, 205, 4.5, Hartland (Arrowhead), WI Has offers from Buffalo, SDSU & WIU LB Grant McDonald, 6'3“, 225, 4.8, Delta (South), BC Has offers from Maine & Buffalo LB Zeke Vandenburgh, 6'3”, 215, LB Freeport (Freeport), IL Has offers from SDSU, SIU, NDSU, USD, IL St & WIU S Matt Anderson, 6'3', 185, 4.6, Fort Wayne (Homestead), IN (1 Star - 247) Has offers from IL St, IN St, Army, Air Force & Yale

This is turning into quite the class on paper. As mentioned above Blubaugh had offers from Wyoming and UNC, 13th best prospect by 247 in the state of Colorado. 1st team all Colorado running back after rushing for over 1900 yards (9 YPC). Listed at 6'0" 182lbs, projects at CB per SFI. The last two Colorado commits have both had offers from FBS programs. Really amazing what this coaching staff is doing.

Lame move by Baldwin, but was it really enough to walk off without shaking hands?