EternalOptimist

It will be interesting to see, I don't think they hit the starting lineup, but possibly get some time in the rotation. A redshirt year would actually be the best thing for them, but I'm sure they would disagree. Athletically, they can jump out of the gym. I've seen a lot of dunk highlights and a few 3s, but they are highlights, anyone can put a good highlight reel together. It will really depend on where their heads are at, if they can adjust to the speed of the D1 game, and if they can play defense at all.

Teams with NIL $ may not fall off that much, but there are a lot of lower D1 teams out there that don't have the NIL $ - or they may choose to spend it on a different sports (Hockey/Football). Many of the Summit League teams will fall into this category. Those teams will inevitably loose their best players every year and won't have a shot at the best portal players because they will be leaning towards $$$. Most of the transfers out of UND last year are making over $10k (and several significantly more), and they didn't move to bigtime programs (Eaglestaff is the exception). Heck we lost one to Omaha - who is now getting $30k or so. There will be exceptions of course, but overall those that put the $$ out there will get the higher quality. It's not easy to put out the $$ for all the sports - Hockey, football, Basketball, or any other sport.

I'm going to try and put a little silver in the lining. I think with the advent of NIL and unlimited ability to hop around, the Summit league and most of the lower D1 programs are going to have to understand the talent level is going to diminish from what we are used to. So, it will be interesting to see the product of UND and the rest of the Summit, it may not be as bad as you think? I could be wrong, but I have some hope. That's the good news, the bad news is, any good or even OK player is going to want to leave for $$$. Obviously, the teams that can give NIL $ will be better off than those who don't/can't. Every player on the St Thomas team gets NIL $$ (and it's in the thousands at the lowest). Most do in Omaha, and SDSU. Unfortunately, there is only $$ for a couple players at UND, and it's a very small amount. Tough to keep good players around now days when there isn't any $$. The ones that do stay, may know they can't get it elsewhere and are content with free education.

Sage Hanson? Or Charlie Cane??

This quarterback situation is a really good problem to have - any one of them could have a breakout seasons. It should spur some very healthy competition in practices, which will make everyone better and the cream will rise to the top. When your backups are nipping at the heals of your starters - good things happen for the team.

Gophers vs St Thomas is what the people would like to see, but there is little to no upside for the Gophers, and a huge downside. The new Tommy basketball/hockey arena will be awesome when it opens - I believe they will be playing in it this year. One thing about St Thomas - they have no shortage of $$ or donors willing to give. And when you have the $$ and access to a larger market, good things usually follow. All their men's players are getting some NIL $, which is not the case in the Summit.

I'm hoping for a more enjoyable play style, and I believe it will happen. It may take some time for everything to click, but as long as they play hard and together, they should get better and better. I'm hoping the staff has a good base to start the build process and knows what to do with it, which i think they do.

The Gophers record after the non-conference games should look very good - their pre-season schedule seems pretty soft for a Big10 team.

UND to play the MN Gophers in MN OCt 25th. We'll get to see BJ Omot play once again.

I'm really looking forward to the football season - I'll be pumped for Hockey and basketball as well, but it feels like the kickoff for me is football season. #Lets go Hawks

I agree with that. I was sad to see him leave - crazy athletic ability, and started to show good things last year.

What makes you think he didn't get paid? Just curious

This x100 Same with basketball - you'd think they would have more tall options

Sounds like a solid get