AJS

One thing I highlighted after last year was, I thought the roster management was atrocious. What I had hoped changed going into this year was (1) 15 F, 8 D, 3 G (2) That there was a clear cut #15 F, #8 D, 3rd Goalie. That has been the case. Zero surprises on who traveled this weekend.

How about this paragraph? I'm genuinely shocked. Even if it doesn't count towards the scholarship limit, seems like a really bad idea to open it up to all. IMO, you try to keep any starter / key depth in certain positions.

The Athletic's Scott Wheeler just put out his preliminary top 64 for the 2024 NHL Draft #25 - Boisvert #30 - Emery #49 - Zellers HM - Swanson

James. That was a decision that wasn't made until after the season was over.

Might seem premature, but a week from now, we'll have a good idea who will be walking for Senior day and who will be potentially using their Covid bonus year. The first of many dominos that really impact the following years team. I always look at it as balance of classes are important and you cannot leverage a future class / development by bringing everyone back. Turnover is good / healthy, but you can't have too much. It really is delicate. My hope is that for every bonus Senior that returns, you have a current RS Junior who is more of a depth guy that moves on (hopefully with a degree). Senior for a Senior. Here's who I'm hoping comes back. Beach Belquist Fort* Hembry McNaboe Navratil Schuster* Vaughn I believe Fort could get a medical RS for last year and return if he'd like. Schuster is going to be a really tough decision for the Coaching staff. The question being, who gives you the best chance to win next year (Schuster / Feeney)? I don't think Feeney returns if Schuster comes back. You also have to ask yourself is Kaminski ready to take over as a sophomore.

I'm with a lot of this. For me, the #1 issue I see on this team is mental. How much of that is the Coaches vs Captains / Leaders vs Individuals is up for debate. I've heard it about other teams in the past, but never UND. They do seem a bit like frontrunners. Narratives can change, if there's adversity, which there's no doubt there will be on Saturday, going to need someone to step and make a play (see narrative before the NDSU game, which they absolutely did). What an opportunity. Would be so fun to see this team throw it back in the face of all their critics.

Really excited about this one. I like starting out conference play on the road against a quality team. Fair to say Duluth is a bit down compared to what we're used to. Satisfied with a split, but anything more and you're starting to really believe this could be a legitimate Top 5 type of team. Would be nice to get Pehrson back this weekend.

Win and this team has the inside track for a seed with a week remaining. It won't take a perfect game, but it will take most likely their second-best effort of the year to accomplish. Prove (almost) everyone wrong and get this one!

Counts as a win for your record, but it’s not a full win in the PWR, think it’s 66%

These F lines. 18-14-17 26-22–9 13-21-28 8-27-24

Quick thoughts. This team can play with anyone. Impressed with this team defensively & in net. F lines need a shakeup. I’d like to continue to see Montgomery as 15F, Ness as 14F, Kunz as 13F. Emerson needs to play and develop. “Demote” Schmaltz and Jamernik. Roll w/ a 4th line of 8/27/24. Mix up the others. Talent is there at F. 2nd / 3rd line both have extremely low ceiling F guys. Hurts the line. There are guys on this team that can be responsible defensively, but have much better offensive talent. Big game tonight.

Just win. To me it's fairly simple. Just be even on Special Teams and play up to their ability either offensively or defensively. The other can be average. That would be good enough to win. Of course, we all want all solid three phase game. Sell hope that this is a legitimate playoff type of team.

Here's my thought. The NDSU game unfortunately was this teams Super Bowl. That's the only thing that makes sense with the drastic left turn this season has taken. The good news is this team is exactly where many thought it would be at this time. A successful season is still in reach. On both the coaching staff and players to get this thing turned around. Extra emphasis to the Offensive Coordinator.

How much of the offensive issues are solved if Danny gets out of his own way? That was a terribly called game. Defensively, the concern continues to be their inability to actually get to the QB when they bring pressure. Phenomenal last drive / ot performance! Here’s to that being the spark and we see a rejuvenated team the rest of the year!

Listening to the 360 pod on this weekend's game. Good news, they don't think Ziebarth will be out long term (although out this weekend). Bad news sounds like a skeleton crew at RB with Smith potential out as well. Wilson might be out as well.

What feeling does everyone have with Ziebarth's injury. Clearly not playing this week. We thinking more week to week or potentially season ender?

Currently 15/17 in the national polls at 4-3. An important note, the highest 3 loss team in either poll.

It might not feel like it today, but there’s still a realistic chance at a program building season. Starts next week, but realistically break the rest of the season into two sets. (1) Next two (2) Last two. Start with the next two. Two sound wins and assess where you’re at in the conference / national landscape.

Turning it off. Beyond pathetic.

Switch Emerson for Schmaltz. Give Emerson minutes and see what he can do. If he struggles, go back to it next Friday. Put James 2nd / Emerson 3rd / Schmaltz extra. My point is make guys earn spots. Give opportunities to young players. I know it feels like I’m picking on Schmaltz, but he’s not the only one. This year will be better than last (better talent level), but there’s still some guys who are big minute “locks” that are baffeling

I’ll watch my words here. Schmaltz is fine, but I don’t see him as a Top 6/9 forward. Incredibly low offensive ceiling. I don’t understand why he’s a Top 6 / PP fixture.

Win today and you’ll see an ushering in of a new era of UND football. Get this one!

One of my major takeaways from the 360 pod was that defensively they made zero checks against NDSU. Trust the play call, keep it simple, play fast. Tough not to be extremely confident in this group. Momentum of course, but the confidence these players have to have right now. At the beginning of the year you saw these two games and sort of cringed. Didn’t appear to be ideal. I love it now. Gives this program an opportunity to double down on itself. Win and you graduate to the next FCS level.

It is UNI's homecoming game. Not sure if they usually have a large walk-up crowd, but still quite a few tickets available.

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