Irish

Couldn't agree more about the defense - however last year I felt like some high end talent up front could have put us over the hump and I think the same about this year's squad. We could really use another Oshie, Toews, or Parise. Not sure if this is a change in philosophy after the past couple of championships or what.

No, actually we won them back then - averaging about once every 5 years for the 25 years previous to Hak.

Please tell us how it works and why it is suddenly so hard to win a title.

Because this is a fan forum - it is designed for "couch coaches" as you call them to express their opinions. If comparing a current coach to his two immediate predecessors is now out of bounds it isn't much of a fan forum. The real tragedy will occur when Sioux hockey fans stop demanding championships and settle for just being a "good" team.

Can't there be a topic that is not Fire Hak, but "Come On Hak, Get It Done"? - How you view the frozen 4 determines how you feel about Hak. If you think it is just a random crapshoot with each team having roughly a 1/4 chance of winning and Hak just having 1-6 bad luck then you think Hak is one of the greatest coaches ever for getting there often. If you think that something else seperates winners - the type of prep, the game strategy for your opponent, the will to win, in game adjustments, motivation, or just winning athletes playing their best when the pressure is on, then you have to be a little frustrated with our 1-6 record in the frozen 4. It pains me greatly to say it, but by God, when the Bison needed a touchdown and had to the length of the field to do it in under 2 minutes, they found a way to get it done (and have for 4 years). I hope Hak grows as a coach and figures it out because I am getting frustrated. Our best overachieving frozen four was marred by a .6 goal. We used to do that to the other guys. Time to get it done.

I'm not saying that Blais didn't have the expectation to restore us to the glory days that were Gino's heyday, but he took over a team that had 3 losing seasons in a row with a record of 23-48-2 in the last two - one that was playing to a half empty Old Ralph. It took him 3 years to win a championship. Hak took over a team that was 30-8 in its previous season - one that had recently moved into a new state of the art 100 million dollar facility. Like I said, clear and obvious who took over in worse circumstances.

It's not like either took over Alabama Huntsville, but if the question is "who took over under better circumstances - Blais or Hak", the answer is clear and obvious.

I guess it all comes down to the question - is there an intangible that winning coaches and teams have that help them win championships or are we just on the bad end of a 1-6 dice streak?

The problem is that if a few influential pin heads speak on the floor in favor of the bill it could sway more votes than the committee recommendation. We seem to have a couple of idiots in positions of power down there.

Actually, all bills make it out of committee - the committee just attaches a pass or do not pass on to the rest of the house or senate

Sioux fans are incredibly tolerent of mediocrity - that's why we wandered in the wilderness for 6 years under the Muss plan. Every program is in need of a competative upgrade. The problems start with the leadership. However, in the same way that we don't demand on the field excellence, we grumble a bit but don't put any pressure on Kelly or Faison. I agree with your financial assessment, but who wants to give Faison a big (or small) extra donation in hopes we will field better teams. We need some leadership and a plan. I for one am so tired of hearing from the school down south. Absolutely no reason we can't win some championships too. In a way, we are getting the kind of programs we have demanded. I'm pretty frustrated with the state of affairs right now.

Two tickets just came open - 113 - row 3 seats 1 and 2 - $60 for both text 701 740 1607 SOLD

I think you mean unirregardless

This is it in a nutshell - It isn't the won-lost as much as the frustrating play. Many gave him a pass on team discipline the last couple of years under the theory that in order to bring in some talent he had to give in to their selfish play and maybe get some kids that weren't so coachable. However, to see us start a new cycle of not boxing out drives me nuts. To any fan of good fundamental basketball the Sioux are almost unwatchable.

Why is everyone surprised that Jones's team plays like ...... well, a Jones coached team. Who knows, maybe rebounding by standing and hoping the ball bounces to you may pay off some game.

If the mods are too busy they should step aside - this is beyond ridiculous

Glad for the win and nice comeback, but I saw a couple of the worst shifts I have ever seen in the Ralph in the first. This team needs the lesson pounded in - no matter how good you are - stand around and you are worse than average.

Hak loves grinding in the corners. I wish he were a bit more flexible. Good analysis.

Much of my frustration with Coach Jones comes from watching his teams the past 4 years. I know that he had to work with the players he had, but the not boxing out, the 1 on 3 offense, the at times lazy, selfish play year after year was really frustrating to me. I grew up watching the Gunther years, so this type of basketball drives me nuts - much more so that the won-lost record. Starting with this year, I hope we see a different brand of basketball.

Seven degrees of Bama

Why does that have to be my choice?

I think Hak has done some things really well and I am in no way saying fire him, but hearing that the National Title will come in time year after year is getting really old. Time to get it done.

Snooze you lose

Agreed that we are not currently in a basketball hotbed - however, here's my frustration with Jones: - The group that just graduated was probably the most talented team we have ever had. Many started for 4 years. However, during their careers, Jones showed absolutely no ability to either coach them on some of the most basic basketball skills such as boxing out or passing. They were more than content to go 1 on 3 and play playground basketball. In addition, they turtled every time they went on the road. He could not add any significant talent to the group. Now they are gone and after all this time it seems like we are starting from scratch. I have not seen through his tenure a solid foundation that we can build on.