AJS

Was tonight a pairwise killer? Yes. Do I think the season is lost? I do. Does this team lack top end offensive talent? Definitely. Even so, I still can't fully wrap my head around how they are this awful offensively. This isn't a small sample size, we know they are, but I'm just not sure how. I'm not saying they have enough talent to be an offensive juggernaut, but they should be able to at least be respectable. There are a lot of guys on this team that put up pretty good numbers in juniors, how can none of them contribute consistently? UND's power play is never good, but how is it possible to go 0-20(?) going back to the UAA series? I just don't get it.

They won't.

Pairwise killer / Season over. It's sad that I'm not surprised at all, in fact, would have been surprised if this game played out any other way. That's a huge problem.

I do love following recruiting, by far from an expert, so the following list is just a way to pass some time. I thought I'd put together a ranking of how I see UND's Top 12 recruits. These are guys that will be here in the next couple years (excluded anyone who hasn't played Juniors). For the most part, this will be guys who will be in either the 2019 or 2020 freshman classes. 1. Halliday (F) (02') (2020) - Former #1 USHL pick, stepped in right away and has produced as a 16 year old. Averaging .82 PPG in his first half of Junior hockey. Has the potential to dominate in his draft year, potential 1st / 2nd round pick. Will come in as a True Freshman. 2. Kleven (D) (02') (2020) - From all accounts, the best US Dman prospect from his age. Potential 1st rounder. Will come in as a True Freshman. 3. Bowen (F) (02') (2020) - Would have been a Top 5 WHL pick if it wasn't for his NCAA commitment. Already has 16 goals, .70 PPG in his first true half of Junior hockey. Would expect him to be a Top 5 guy in the BCHL next year in his draft year, high round draft pick. Will come in as a True Freshman. 4. Blaisdell (F) (01') (2019) - He's my #1 recruit for UND next year, having a great year in his second true year of Juniors. Tied 3rd in BCHL in goals. Phenomenal World Junior A tournament this past month. Projected 2nd / 3rd round pick in this upcoming draft. 5. Miller (D) (01') (2020) - Checks every box when it comes to Select teams, has made ever US Development team (Playing Top D-Pair), was just on World Junior A roster. I think he's going to be an outstanding college hockey player. 6. Sanderson (D) ('02') (2021) - One of the best '02 defenseman in the country, leading the U17's in scoring from the backend. Potential 1st round pick. Late Bday, so he wouldn't be eligible until 2021. 7. Pinto (F) (00') (2019) - Was a recruit nobody knew anything about when he committed. Having a great 1st year in the USHL, World Junior A participant. Currently projected as a 2nd / 3rd round pick in this upcoming draft. Has good size, great scoring ability. Carrying his USHL team in scoring. 8. Rizzo (F) (01') (2019) - Has had injury problems that last couple years, including missing about half of the start this year. Incredibly talented, holding his own at just over a PPG, but isn't producing as much as most would have thought. Still, can easy turn that around in the second half. Potential 3rd / 4th round pick currently. 9. Rowe (G) (01') ('19 or '20) - Playing for USNTDP, ok numbers (which is normal for that team playing the schedule they do). Potential 2nd/3rd round pick in this upcoming draft. 10. Caulfield (F) (01') ('19) - Power forward playing with the USNTDP, putting up solid numbers. Would be a great 3rd line type guy in college (kind of 3rd line UND needs). Potential 2nd / 3rd round pick in this upcoming draft. 11. Frisch (D) ('00) ('19) - From all accounts having a great first year in the USHL, member of the World Junior A roster. Should be drafted. 12. Bast (D) ('00) ('19) - Highly skilled offensive D-man, puts up good numbers in the AJHL, member of the World Junior A roster. Should be drafted. Overall, this is an incredibly talented pool of recruits UND has lined up. 2019 - Sure fire Top 5 class in the NCAA. Rizzo was the potential cornerstone guy heading into this year, but that's kind of wait and see. They lack the true "big name", but that being said, the depth of talent is absolutely incredible. The 6 guys I have slotted coming in will all be true freshman, all potential to be drafted (at least 3 going in the 2nd / 3rd rounds). Instant shot of talent to the roster. 2020 - Sure fire Top 3 class in the NCAA. What the 2019 lacks in the cornerstone guy (which is rare), this class currently has the potential for 3. They'll have two at the forward spot and possible the best D-man class in the country (Kleven, Miller, Reid). Also, guys like Mancinelli, Randklev and Gaber will be fun to track at forward.

With Costello there was really no step back he could have made, he only had 12 points total last year (56 games). It's true he is slightly behind that "pace", but he just hasn't been able to produce at the USHL level. Mancinelli on the other hand had what I would have considered the best '01 year out of all the recruits (Blaisdell, Caulfield, Rizzo) that played juniors at 16. Not surprisingly, he started slow last year, but was almost a PPG player the second half of the season. He parlayed that into a strong US Development camp and made the Ivan Hlinka team this year. I'm definitely surprised by his production so far, but he's also just a Senior (maybe Junior?) in HS, so we'll see how he develops over the second half / next year. Stratton also surprised that he's slightly off his mark for last year, would have thought he'd tear up the BCHL this year.

First half stats: USHL Pinto - '00 (F): 14-11-25 (22GP) Gaber - '99 (F): 10-13-23 (29GP) Halliday - '02 (F): 6-12-17 (22GP) Mancinelli - '01 (F): 5-6-11 (27GP) Randklev - '99 (F): 3-8-11 (21GP) Frisch - '00 (D): 2-7-9 (23GP) Miller - 01' (D): 2-5-7 (23GP) Schmaltz - 01' (F): 2-4-6 (24GP) Reid - 01' (D): 0-5-5 (26GP) Costello - 00' (F): 1-3-4 (24GP) NTDP U18 Caulfield - 01' (F): 6-16-22 (30GP) Rowe - 01' (G): 3.59 GAA / .879 SV% NTDP U17 Sanderson -02' (D): 1-13-14 (27GP) Kleven -02' (D): 2-5-7 (24GP) AJHL Bast - 00' (D): 5-15-20 (23GP) BCHL Blaisdell - 01' (F): 23-18-41 (32GP) Stratton - 99' (F): 6-26-32 (37GP) Bowen -02' (F) 16-10-26 (37GP) Rizzo - 01' (F): 4-14-18 (17GP) Other Kunz -02' (F): 5-3-8 (7GP) -- SSM Prep Montgomery - 02' (F): 4-7-11 (9GP) -- Sioux Falls U16 / 1-1-2 (5GP) Waterloo (USHL)

I hope this doesn't come off as over dramatic, but is Seales the worst basketball player in history (at any level) when it comes to handling the ball on a fast break?

I always like to hear everyone's overall feel for the class. My initial couple thoughts. The closing weeks this staff has had are the strongest on the D-1 era. That's taking into account losing Case. Fort, London (Transfer) and Skokna from all accounts are top end FCS recruits. These three are guys that went to the top of the class. I do look at other offers as one of the main signs, what I also liked to see overall is after the original recruits committed (all local ND / MN), every recruit from then on out seemed to have at least one competitive offer. As we all know, just because a player committed with no other offers, doesn't mean they didn't receive any after. What are the thoughts on this recruiting class? Stronger / Weaker than recent years?

Let's start taking a look at different positional groups. Offensively as we all know, it starts on the O-Line. Every positional group is clearly important, but this is the one that has the biggest trajectory on the success of either unit. Couple questions: How would you grade their performance last year? What are the realistic expectations for next year? My take: They were the #1 concern coming into last year and I think it's safe to say they exceeded expectations. My overall grade would be a C+. They dominated against weaker competition, seemed to falter like the rest of the offense at the end of the year. I don't know how much of that can be attributed to (1) Terrible QB play (2) Play calling - tough to look good when teams can stack the box. Anyways... 2019: Tackle: They return 3 players who are "starters". Mortel (JR): Only played two games, because of injuries, but was their #1 Tackle starting the year. When healthy, he's a rock solid LT. Helgren (JR): Started every game but one at RT, first year starter. Waletzko (SO): Started 5 games as a True Freshman, first year starter. Others: Russo (JR), played in a few games. Who are some others to watch? I feel good about the 3 guys who started last year, is Russo ready to take the next step? The tackle position was young last year, no upperclassman. They have a solid core coming back, if those three can improve and you get another player or two in the mix, this could be a talented, deep group. Guards: Lose one Senior, return 2 players who are "starters" Tobin (JR): Two year starter, solid LG Nguon (JR): Although he was used mostly as a tackle, he can play all positions and will be used as a Guard this upcoming year. Others: Hergel (RFR), Who are some others to watch? Center: Rooney (SR): Started every game last year. UND has 6 Offensive lineman returning that either played or have played (Mortel) enough reps that we know what to expect. It's a solid nucleus and given their age (5 of the 6 underclassman last year), there is a lot of room for growth. Is this the first year of the D1 era that they can have what I would "true depth". That would mean 4 players who aren't true returners to fill the depth chart (2 G's, 1 T, 1 C), who are ready to step in when injuries happen and they can hold their own. My expectation is for this group to take a step forward. They should grade out at a minimum of a B after next year.

That's the shot of optimism I needed going into next year @geaux_sioux @UND-FB-FAN. Even with the wheels coming completely off at the end of the year, the offense showed me enough throughout the year that with the right coaching / game plan they could be a pretty solid unit going forward.

Their execution is close to flawless. Their O-line is so dominant it makes it dare I say easy to be a positional player. You can't be one dimensional at the college level, but it's so important to get a QB that is multi-dimensional. I would take Stick and his legs, even if he can't make all the throws over a pocket passer who isn't mobile. A guy like Stick doesn't grow on trees, but as we've all noticed, the QBs that continually give everyone (as we've seen with UND) the most problems are guys that can evade the rush and run the ball. UND needs to recruit those type of guys at the QB position.

Preliminary round has completed at the World Junior A tournament (4 games). Canada West plays the USA in the second semi-final game tomorrow. Blaisdell: 4G 1A 5 points (Tied tourney lead in goals, tied 3rd in points) Bast: 1G 2A 3 points Pinto: 1G 1A 2 points Rizzo: 1A 1 point Frisch: 1A 1 point Miller: No points

There's reason for some excitement in the future, of next years potential freshman class, you have the following: This is under the assumption that the four forwards who we know signed NLI's come in and they bring in two defenseman (Frisch / Bast) 5 of the 6 taking part in the World Junior A tournament (other being member of the NTDP who aren't eligible) All 6 are expected to be drafted (looking like 4 of the 6 in the first four rounds) All 6 True Freshman (5 with 2 years of junior experience, Frisch with one) 3 of the 4 freshman averaging over PPG currently as Seniors in HS (Caulfied is just off that pace, but playing for NTDP)

Not that it wouldn't be a good idea, but does anyone know if that's a realistic option? I'm really excited to watch him develop.

I don't know how this train ever stops, it really does defy all logic. As long as they are an FCS Program they'll win Championships at least 4 out of every 5 years. We are really in uncharted territory, since this isn't how sports (at least at a relatively high collegiate level) work. They'll never drop off and nobody at the FCS level has a chance to catch them. Side note: I would have called this post preposterous a couple years ago, since like I mentioned, nobody stays on the top forever...until now.

Do we know how many Seniors are on their O-line?

Damn, so close.

The big question is can NDSU go 100% on 3rd downs / score every possession in the 2nd half?

Jump Around going into the 4th? They are original.

Everyone knew this was coming, nobody was stopping this team. What’s going to be really fun is fast forwarding to next when they replace 24 Seniors and we’re watching them boat racing whoever they play in the semis next year.

Hell of a job by SDSU's defense to step up after the TD.

I cannot wrap my head around what SDSU was doing on that Shepard play, incredibly bad defense.

With London in the mix, that should shore up the RB situation. It'll take a step back, given who they lose, but should still be a strong unit next year. The way I look at it, there's two huge holes that need to be addressed before next season. (1) QB Position - Yes, they return all 4 QBs on the roster, but 8's play down the stretch has me concerned. I just don't think he can be the guy next year. They are going to need one of the others to step up, my hope is Boltmann shows he can be the guy. (2) Nose guard - I hope this coaching staff's #1 goal this off season is bringing in at a minimum one guy, hopefully two.

I was thinking about this today, can someone explain to me what happened to the offense the last two weeks of the year? They went from a serviceable unit at worst, sometimes looking pretty good for large portions of the game for the majority of the season, to possibly the worst offense in the FCS the last two weeks. How does that happen?

Most NDSU playoff games are over before they begin. Games like this, where the opponent has a puncher's chance, they need to catch the breaks in the game. The kick catch interference was a bad call, which like you'll see time and time again will never go against NDSU. That was a potential game changing play. Instead NDSU gets the ball at the 30 and it's light out from there. It's gotten a lot less frustrating over the years, now these games are just a given. You have to be able to make plays to beat them, since they'll never have an off night in the playoffs, no team in FCS is capable of it (one team was, one year). Can't wait to watch Lance Moore eclipse Easton Sticks play over the next four years!