AJS

Couple things that stick out on Wiebe and Livanavage. Weibe is leading his team in scoring by four points. As a defenseman that is really impressive. Tied for the team lead in goals. Captain. Drafted last year by Vegas. Big as well at 6'3", 200lbs. For Livanavage, I like that he's invited to every international (Non-NTDP) tournament. Will be playing (w/ Strathmann) at the upcoming Junior A Challenge.

Boisvert / McInnis are in that group elite group. Very intrigued by Wiebe & Livanavage as well. I will agree, thin at forward next year though big time.

Defense (Next Year) Wiebe (03) - Chilliwack: 6-14-20 (16GP) -- Leads team in scoring by 4 pts. Just outside BCHL Top 20 scorers. Vegas draft pick Strathmann (05) - Youngstown: 1-12-13 (13GP) -- Playing in World Junior A Challenge Livanavage (04) - Chicago: 3-9-12 (16GP) -- Playing in World Junior A Challenge Benoit (02) - Omaha: 1-6-7 (15GP) -- Minnesota draft pick (Future) Jubenvill - (03): Dubuque: 0-6-6 (13GP) McInnis - (06): Waterloo: 1-1-2 (4GP) Ausmus - (04): Madison:

Let's take an updated look. I want to break this into a few categories. Forwards (On track) Perron (05) - Chicago: 8-13-21 (17GP) -- Tied 4th overall in USHL in points Swanson (06) - Fargo: 6-11-17 (15GP) -- Tied 12th overall in USHL in points Croal (03) - Muskegon: 3-8-11 (15GP) Boisvert (06) - Muskegon: 5-4-9 (11GP) Forwards (Need another year, potential) Slipec (05) - Chicago: 0-5-5 (17GP) Klee (05) - Waterloo: 1-1-2 (13GP) Forwards (Concerned) Panzer (04) - 2-1-3 (16GP) Singleton (04) - 0-0-0 (16GP) / Playing for Vernon in BCHL Looking strictly at next year, the issue becomes only Perron is a lock (as far as is eligible and ready). I'd prefer Croal plays another year, but he might be ready. Still need at least one or two Forwards for next year's class. The following years forward class could be special.

Totally. Two goals in his first game and then virtually nothing to note after. At this time of the year Cakebread had 4 goals and 2 assists. Totally normal, not weird comparison.

He’s not 16 playing high school hockey, you realize that right? He’s a PPG at 16 in the USHL. That is rare.

Oliphant would in my mind be the ideal candidate for the transfer portal. He’s not currently part of the 2-Deep, only has one year left. If nobody leaves early, they’ll need to replace only two Seniors on the 2-Deep. One starter. I’m guessing he wants to play.

Wow! Great get by Berry!

Also, I want to be clear. I don't blame Larson for advocating for his school #1 before the rest of the conference. I would think that would only be natural. I assume everyone in that position would do the same. That being said, having someone on the committee whose team is also in the playoff seems like a gigantic issue. Why aren't the commissioners of the league the reps?

Really? You don't see what the issue is?

So, you are telling me that having an AD on the committee isn't a benefit? Doesn't carry any weight? Are all committee members locked in their hotel rooms, no contact before they meet for the selection? At the very least bad optics? Or let me guess, none of the above?

My issue with that is UND is so bad at kickoff return in general, but also deviating away from the norm. If they pooch every kick I'm guessing Weber starts at the 40 every time. Honestly, given the elevation, I'm having UND try to kick it out of the end zone every time. Let's circle back though to elevation. Is there any reason UND couldn't drive the ball into the end zone every time? I'd take my chances over trying to get cute and giving them the ball with excellent field position every time.

Given everything that came out yesterday, I completely agree with this. If you are Youngstown / UND, you want answers from Larson. Given the projections, nobody had NDSU higher than a #4 seed. Then Weber hosts while bidding less $. Youngstown is left out.

To Buckner's defense, isn't learning the safety position at UND pretty challenging? He's been playing more and better as the season goes on as he's learning. I think that's overall, an important thing to note. Buckner / Wilson / Ogbu. These guys have been getting better as the year has progressed. A transfer might have experience and will be more physically mature, but they are still brand new to the team and the systems. Some positional groups would be easier to transition into than others.

Thanks! Clearly understand a PWO type of portal entry, someone who is going to transfer down. We'll see if this is the case with Ledbetter as well. I would have to imagine, as it's tough to move laterally or up with no tape. Well, it's officially hold your breath time. Winning the portal is so important. One could argue almost as important as regular HS recruiting. Guys are going to enter from every team. It's hoping you don't lose any impact or potential impact guys. Guys that are buried on the depth chart.

Are these scholarship or non-scholarship guys?

Wow. Apologies to Chaves, cannot wait to read the Herald article that's coming up on it.

Love and agree with everything @wheelsup and other are saying. What bothers me the most is the thought that UND is always either unlucky or for some reason those making the decisions are always against them for some reason. Good news for Chaves is he works for a university where mediocrity is rewarded. Can't wait to hear his excuse the next bid he loses.

I would say there's a Big Sky ceiling and then a MVFC ceiling and they are different. The way things are now, I would put UND's schedule every year into two groups. (1) FBS, NDSU, SDSU (2) Everyone else. UND is going to have to figure out one of two things. How to consistently get a single win out of group 1 every year or beat everyone in group 2. Otherwise, 7-4 is about as good as one can hope for.

Could just be me, but I really don't like seeing UND fans gloat on this subject when we have no idea what's coming down the pipeline for UND.

Tough, but fair draw given where both teams were most likely slotted in the at large pecking order. This game is massive on multiple fronts. As @Sioux94 mentioned, UND is playing for the Valley and perception of the non-Dakota State schools. I agree that this game could have implications into the MVFCs future playoff selections. Going from a league wide view, to just UND. Still keying in on the word perception. This game will impact where UND starts next year in the polls. There are varying opinions on how important that is, I do think it's important. Moving past perception, onto program momentum. New season with everything on the line. Outside of very select regular season games, the playoffs are where you can really build momentum for your program. Rightfully so, everyone is really down on the defense after what happened against NDSU. Even after last weekend's debacle, I have this mindset that UND can play with anyone except for NDSU in Fargo at the FCS level. I did not watch Weber, but I'll double down on that after watching Sac State / UC Davis / Samford. It should be a competitive game this weekend.

Can’t even do that right.

Here’s my plea. Try to grind this out and take this humiliating loss as is. Bubba / Danny you aren’t winning this game. You probably already played yourself out of the playoffs w/ this performance. Don’t cement it by losing by 35 or more.

Good news is Mercer’s defense is equally as bad. 14-14.

Not what we’re looking for early as Mercer is up 14-7 on Samford. Samford’s defense is awful.