bincitysioux

Yep, CaBisonFan.

You've made your point perfectly clear on countless occasions, Dave.

CaBisonFan ?

Congrats and best of luck to the Bison and the Jacks!

That could very well be. I was just assuming that the mere fact that Mesa St. is appearing on the UND schedule again was probably because the A.D.'s worked something out to move the 2006 game that UND owed MSC to 2007 in order for UND to play UNI last season.

Washburn also has an opening "the first week" (Aug. 25). They'd also be a pretty good team to play, although I hate opening the season that early. If we're going to do a return game in 2008 (first year of DI), it better be against a solid DII program i.e. North Alabama, Catawba. I'm assuming the Mesa St. game is on the road, probably Sept. 8. If we need a home game on September 1, does that mean they are simply trying to fill out a 10 game schedule (5 home, 5 away) ? Or have they signed another game with an FCS school that they haven't announced yet, like Southern Utah? If only trying to fill out a 10 game schedule, it wouldn't have to be on September 1st.

Who has control over the start times, the NCAA or the host, UND? Assuming we win on Friday night, I'd like to catch the game on Saturday as I'll be in GF for the hockey game. I hope UND plays at 4:00 on Saturday. Nothing like looking ahead/past opponents!

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For the longest time, Montana and Montana St. have been viewed as the biggest flight risks from the Big Sky. It is ironic that at this point in time the two biggest dissidents to eastward expansion (Portland St. and Sac St.) are the ones that get talked about most about fleeing the Sky.

89,789

A while back, while discussing the pros and cons of the Big Sky and Mid-Con, some of us were discussing where UND's alumni is dispersed across the country. I finally came across a map for UND's alumni similar to the one for NDSU that Hansel provided for us. I'm not able to scan it and upload it, but here are the states that have over 1,000 alumni. (It'll take way too long to list for all 50 states! ) North Dakota: 26,022 Minnesota: 21,313 California: 4,789 Colorado: 3,264 Arizona: 2,963 Washington: 2,740 Texas: 2,708 Wisconsin: 2,212 Florida: 1,824 Illinois: 1,607 South Dakota: 1,551 Montana: 1,500 Oregon: 1,216 Virginia: 1,150 Iowa: 1,072

That's what I was trying to get at.

Take it easy MplsBison. Taylor did in fact say something to that effect. What he said was that he's received numerous e-mails on the subject and he would estimate that they were 50-50 for and against the game. That's what he said. Hardly a scientific poll, since the type of person who takes the time to e-mail an A.D. of a university on such a subject is likely the same type of person who peruses 10 separate internet message boards throughout the day proclaiming their passion or disdain for a given university (just like me! ). Considering this, how many of the total season ticket holders or boosters of either university do we really think feel this way?

With all of the hoopla going on at the football boards both here and at Bisonville, I wonder why there is not more discussion about first renewing the rivalry with NDSU in basketball instead of football. This would make more sense to me, as far as easing back into the games between the schools for all sports. Obviously, there are alot more basketball games to schedule than football games. Besides NDSU's game with Kansas St. this year, both programs are currently hurting for intriguing home games. The last Sioux-Bison game in GF drew nearly 8,000 and the last one in Fargo drew upwards of 6,000. NDSU's big "rivalry" game with SDSU in Fargo this year only mustered ~4,000. That "big meanie" Rich Glas is gone, so NDSU can't complain about him anymore, as is Roger Thomas. This summer when PA and Dubay asked Tim Miles about UND moving to DI his answer was "bring em on!". We all know about the attendance struggles that NDSU women's basketball has been suffering. So with an open-minded Tim Miles, A.D. Tom Buning, and a new coach in Brian Jones, why not send UND basketball teams to Fargo in 2007 (while they are still looking for non-conference games) and hopefully have them return the favor in 2008 when UND will really need games?

Actually, as much as it pains me, I have to agree with Bison Dan here. Sicatoka is right that the reason the conversation is taking place now is because NDSU is currently in the hurt bag as far as a home schedule goes for 2007. It is nearly March, and what, probably a minimum of 85% of FCS schools have their schedules set by now? But lets also remember that Buning was on the job for about 60 days when he first offered to play NDSU at a neutral site such as the Metrodome. The reason is obviously not because UND needs the game. UND could certainly get on the schedule of many prominent FCS programs, just like they did last year with UNI. They could also pay a guarantee to a number of willing DII opponents and reap the benefits of an extra home game. But, he wants it because he is removed from the past history, and even moreso because he actually understands the importance of the rivalry and that the fans and alumni of both schools want it. I stated in my original post in this thread that I was worried that Buning would come off as "begging" for a game. Clearly that is not the case. However, I feel that Buning and UND want this game in Fargo more than NDSU does. But I also think that the reason Taylor is not receptive to it is because A) he is being vindictive (and has hurt feelings because big mean old RT was mean to him), or B) because he is not a good business administrator. As far as the potenetial 2007 game in Fargo goes, UND has very little benefit. NDSU on the other hand has the opportunity to make a s*it-pile of money, have a sell-out home game, be on state-wide TV (plus certainly be on the FSSN which reaches 3 states and many more), and (in the mind of many bitter Bison fans) come out as the bigger person. I have had alot of respect for the way the Gene Taylor has led NDSU into their transition to DI, but currently, if I were a "Teammaker", I would really be scratching my head. Personally, I would like to see that game in 2007 because I miss the rivalry. But at the same time, I know that UND could do better from both a playoff standpoint and a fiscal standpoint by either taking a larger guarantee from a different FCS opponent or from bringing in a NW region opponent for a home game. Either way, the games are sure to continue at somepoint in the near future, I have no problem waiting a few years, but since both schools have common open dates for 2007, what is the point?

Here are the brackets for the the NCC tourney, both men and women. Bracket

Here are the brackets for the the NCC tourney, both men and women. Bracket

IMO, yes. I've said all along that they should have kept playing. I just have maintained that the reason he gave, in football anyways, was warranted: because it hurts playoff chances at the time. Same reason that Taylor doesn't want to play in 2008 which is a solid reason that I agree with. Now, explain to me why he doesn't want to play in 2007? Stupid is as stupid does.

Well there you have it then, I would be concerned if the leader of my university's athletic department felt netting $90,000 is better than netting $200,000. I wasn't a business major, but I know stupid when I see it.

Oh yeah, the best quote of the interview by far was when Gene Taylor said, "it is not a matter of if the rivalry will resume, but when." That ought to really set off Lakesbison!

Here are my thoughts on today's interview: As always, Bunning was a class act and represented UND extremely well. When asked by Big Ed what it will take to resume the rivalry as early as 2007, Bunning replied, "I'm ready". Also, I was a little worried that Buning may come off as "begging" NDSU for a game. Obviously, this is not the case as UND football for the last 4-5 years has experience all-time highs in attendance and televison covereage. He did great job to point out that both A.D.s, know the importance of a rivalry as Buning came from Army, and Taylor came from Navy. As already reported, Taylor had reservations, saying yes, it would probably make sense for 2007 with the scheduling situations at both schools, but he was reluctant to schedule for 2007 because with NDSU being playoff eligible in 2008 there was no way that he would consider a non-counter on the schedule in 2008, so he felt it would be unfair to players, coaches, and fans, to play the game for one year, and then have to discontinue it for a indeterminable amount of time. He also threw out that it would be unfair to play only in football to other coaches and not in the other sports. I had to chuckle to myself the way that Gene Taylor mentioned that Roger Thomas basically put a stop to the rivalry and the reason was because in 2004 the playoff implications were a serious factor for a DII (UND) playing a DI (NDSU). He said that since Buning came to UND, they have had open converstions about the games. But now, when the shoe is on the other foot, he doesn't want to play UND because it will potentially hurt NDSU's playoff chances in 2008. I completely understand that philosophy, just as I did in 2003 when UND decided not to play NDSU in the 2004 season...........................why, because it would have hurt their playoff chances. I personally see alot less benefit for NDSU playing UND in 2008 than in 2007. Had UND moved up first and was at the same point in transition that NDSU currently is, I would absolutely feel the same way. However, it appears to me that apparently Gene Taylor may have learned something about being an A.D. form Roger Thomas. As I try to examine the situation from an objective point of view (as objective as a die-hard Sioux fan can, that is ) , I gathered this: If I were an NDSU booster/alumni/fan I would be very upset. To claim that NDSU has a significant amount of schools willing to come to Fargo that would generate the same amount of interest as a UND football game in Fargo is laughable. The reason I would be upset is because I know that college athletics is many things, but first and foremost, it is a business. And, IMHO, it is bad business to assume that it would be good business to turn down a sure sell-out crowd on my home field. To add to that, it would be a game that would provide statewide network TV exposure, along with cable TV coverage in the tri-state area. If I had a vested interest in NDSU athletics, I don't see how paying a guarantee of $30,000-50,000 to get a DII or a willing (likely low-interest) FCS school which would probably draw around 12,000-13,000 fans would be more desireable/beneficial/profitable to NDSU than having a team that offers a sure sell-out come to Fargo for apparently free. Economics 101, people, do they offer that course anywhere in Fargo?

I know funny, and that is funny! I know just exactly what you are referring to PCM, and that too is a funny comment!

Chief Illiniwek will perform his final dance at halftime of tonights basketball game. There is about 2:00 left in the first half and it is on ESPNU.

Uugggghhh!!!! Having listening to and watching virtually every game this season, and attending as many in person as I could, it is very frustrating to me know that this team is probably going to finish dead last in the NCC this season. They are so athletic and have so much potential it is very disappointing. Even going into this past weekend, we still had an outside chance at fourth place and getting a home NCC Tourney game. Ain't gonna happen now, and it ticks me off because this team which is 3-8 in the NCC could just as easily be 10-1. That's right, the only game that we've been out of was the one down in Vermillion. Now, it looks like we're gonna see the Coyotes for a third time this season as they'll most likely be hosting us in the first round of the tournament. So here is what we need to do. We need to take care of business this week in Duluth. What is sad is that I feel that UMD is by far the weakest team in the leauge, yet they still beat us on our home court. If we can head into the tourney, most likely at South Dakota, on a winning note (hopefully a convincing winning note) then I still feel a slight glimmer of hope that the way these kids have played this year that they can maybe make a little noise in the tourney. It is a long shot, but they've shown potential all year. It would be nice to see them cultivate that potential into success.

Well then, Doug Collins, Del Harris, and Kurt Rambis would have loved to have been Forrest Gump's coaching staff. I say congratulations to Phil Jackson. Whether you like his politics or not, it is wonderful to see a native of North Dakota make the acheivements he has and now be recognized for it. At the very least, now the Sioux coaching staff can not only say that UND has had more players and coaches go on to the NBA than any other school in North Dakota, but now they can say that we have had more NBA hall-of-famers than any other school in the state of North Dakota.