AJS

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-still-very-high-on-freshman-defenseman-brent-johnson This was a very good read. My only two issues the 1st half have been (1) Lack of playing time for Hellsten (2) Lack of playing time for Johnson. This helps alleviate issue #2.

The Emmit Bohle sweepstakes are heating up. Current offers - UND, Montana, Sac State, Illinois State and Samford.

I wouldn’t use the MBB program as an example. Without doing any research I would find it hard to believe that EKU / JMU could be worse than UND. Edit: Guess it's NKU and not EKU. NKU does appear to be awful, so I guess we'll call it a lateral move.

Right, my format must have been confusing and I realize now looking back that it was. Blake (WR), Shugarts (D-Line), Warner (O-Line) were all offers that have committed elsewhere. To my knowledge only two offers that have not committed and I mentioned those earlier.

Blake was the one WR offer I noted.

Is this list correct. Known offers, let me know what I missed. O-line. Offers: 5 Committed: 3 Waiting: 1 WR: Offers: 1 Committed: 0 LB: Offers: 1 Committed: 1 D-Line: Offers: 2 Committed: 0 Waiting: 1 DB: Offers: 1 Committed: 1 The two offers that have either not committed to UND or elsewhere are Chance Main (DL) and Emmit Bohle (OL). This is just what I've picked up through social media. So far, this has been a pretty high hit rate on offers.

Exciting that they’ve added 3 transfers on the O-line (hopefully end up w/ 4). Broken record, but it’s so true. If this team really upgrades that O-line, which I believe they have, the offense should be pretty good next year. After watching the JMU / NDSU game, it really struck me that Tommy wasn’t the issue last year. I don’t think there’s much difference between those two QB’s and Tommy.

You just have to laugh. One of those you actually had to see it to believe it.

I actually feel better about Tommy after watching JMU’s 5th year QB. Don’t feel as bad about UND’s clock management either.

Highest seed.

What can you even say. Not competitive again. Just dominant.

Offensive line. I've been a little confused with the number of offers, so wanted to dig into this a little. 2 Seniors (-2) 2 Transfers (0) 3 New Class (+3) 3 Offers (2 NSU / 1 Other) Then I looked at the number of O-line on the rosters per year. 2017: 16 2018: 16 2019: 18 2020-21: 20 2021: 16 Given there's always an extra guy or two that leaves, ultimately, this helped clear up some confusion. I'm all in on these two Northern State offers.

Midco does a really good job on the UND Signing Day Special. At the end of the program, Tom Miller always does his early predictions for starters. The surprises for me were as follows. Interior OL: Anderson, Carroll, Bryant (Kilty / Ventrelli at OT). Very much be a new look O-Line. If you bring in people that end up being better than returners at that position (2 that played starting rolls at OG that will be back), then that's improvement. No Noah: It appears Larson is not returning for his "5th" year. I'm guessing I'm in the minority here, but I really stick by the thought process that returning everyone at a positional group is not healthy (some exceptions, i.e. QB). Losing that right amount is. This positional group will still be a strength, but will be able to get others involved. Cooper: He has transfer Cooper starting at OLB alongside Navratil. What a huge pickup that'll be if Cooper ends up being better than MVJ / Mullin. Really would solidify that OLB group.

@GoHawks Hembry a Safety or CB? I think he's been playing CB.

According to Seth's twitter bio, 6'5" 285. The 257 is from his Freshman (2020) listed weight on the NDSU roster. He was removed from the 2021 NDSU roster, so I'm not sure what his RS-Freshman weight was listed at. The 257 makes sense as it's the last recorded weight. Is he now 285 as he lists. I guess we'll find out during Spring camp. Tom Miller said he could be in the mix right away, so for that to be even close to true, he currently needs to be a lot closer to 285 than 257.

I agree with this. That's how it's played out in the past. At least when the tournament has been in NA.

This has been without a doubt the weirdest first half of the season I can ever remember. On one hand you had four of the most lopsided losses (both score / appeared talent discrepancy) we've seen in some time along with to this point historically bad goalie save %, but when you look at what matters, you have a Top 4 team in the pairwise, leading the NCHC in points. It's so bizarre. Injuries are part of the game, but between true injuries and sickness, this team has really been hit hard and hit much earlier than normal. If you asked Berry his ideal lineup, has he been able to try that even once in the first half? This break is at a perfect time, give everyone a few weeks to heal up. The second half schedule although difficult, has a nice 5 to 3 home vs away series breakdown. This isn't ideal, but with the turnover / amount of players out the 1st half, I really would like to see some experimenting in January. For me, concentrating on Hellsten / Driscoll, even games to see who plays better. Watching these games, the goals given up haven't been really that egregious, but still, the numbers being what they are, Driscoll hasn't proven that he deserves the % of starts he's gotten. I would like to also see more experimentation with that # 6 spot on defense. Unless you're an uber talent, defense in the NCHC probably over any other position takes that most time to develop. You only get that by playing minutes. I would like to see Bast / Johnson get more and more minutes. I thought Bast looked fine against CC. Really looking forward to the second half. As bizarre of a first half as its been, you get the feeling that this team hasn't even come close to scratching the surface. Overall, great job by Berry and the staff, absolutely, ahead of where I'm guessing everyone thought they'd be.

I'm on the same page as you with @Midwestern Hawk overall attitude, but to his defense, if you're really talking highlights, how many were there really?

Like with Magli, you really wish they wouldn't pick the weekend before signing day to decide to change their minds.

I really hope this will be the case moving forward. Wish Otis well and move on.

Nobody originally, but ultimately Jamernik in the second half of the season.

One of my keys to the year was one of Ness / Budy really needed to take a step forward. To put this as nice as possible, they were underwhelming last year. I think this second half is make it or break it for Ness. Nice to hear some feel he’s starting to turn it on.

You would think having at least four uncommitted recruits on campus the weekend before early signing day would be a huge advantage. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got one or two commitments today.

Really hope this starts the Driscoll / Hellsten each get a night thru at least January.