star2city

This can't be just coincidence. The one DI school that is most bravely combating the hypocrisy of the NCAA, the #13 seed Bradley Braves, somehow makes it into the Sweet 16 for the first time in 51 years. Poetic justice does happen.

It is interesting that Riley was able to move on to a DI position, while Herbst has not. That seems quite telling of who was accomplishing what. BTW, I wasn't necessarily defending Herbst or anything, but just re-emphasizing that Glas is responsible for the whole program, not Herbst.

This has already been discussed ad nauseum: http://siouxsports.com/forums/index.php?sh...20entry121020 The French or English usage of the word "Sioux" has never been a perjorative. What is interesting is the word meanings that other Native tribes call the Sioux. Presumably, in those native tongues, the Siouxan people are still referred by those names. Wonder if political correctness will force the Ute, Crow, Arapaho, Shoshone, Comanche, and Yakima languages to be altered to prevent hostile and abusive meanings.

So who has been run out? Roger Thomas? Rob? DISioux? Seems to me that Hak, Lennon, and Roebuck all know a little about Fighting Sioux tradition. Perhaps even Jeff Bowen at the UND Foundation, who presumably was Rob's backup, would know a little about it too. Can understand how changes, especially from outsiders, can be unsettling, but it all can be for good.

Except for recently, seems to me Herbst has produced in terms of recruiting. But no matter, Glas decides who his assistant coaches are, so any blame for the recent ineptitude of the program lies squarely on Glas' shoulders, and not on any assistant coach. The buck stops at Glas, not on Herbst. If Glas goes, Herbst is gone too.

Based on this quote from Ulferts, I am definitely pulling for them.

Wahlin extends family tradition

Rob may have a mess to help clean up when he gets there. Bemidji State's basketball program, as well as several other DI programs may be breaking into the news for the wrong reasons: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9310118

For those interested, here is the annual distribution of DI basketball moneys from the NCAA tournament by conference: Distribution of Basketball-Related Moneys According to Number of Units by Conference So if you are a full member of a conference, the school receives the following $'s: (# of units earned by conference in last six years) x $122.8 million (total # units in last six years) x (# of teams in conference) Gain an NCAA Invitation -> earn one unit Win an NCAA Game -> earn one unit Annually, MidCon schools each received $101,000, while Big Sky schools each receive $133,000. By adding UNC and having lost in the first round for the last five years, BSC school's payout will likely drop to $101,000. If the BSC went to 12 schools, each schools payout could drop as low as $76,000. The presence of Gonzaga in the WCC earns the other seven schools in that conference an extra $250,000 above its otherwise minimum payment. "The basketball fund provides for moneys to be distributed to Division I conferences based on their performance in the Division I Men's Basketball Championship over a six-year rolling period (for the period 2000-2005 for the 2005-06 distribution). Independent institutions receive a full unit share based on its tournament participation over the same rolling six-year period. The basketball fund payments are sent to conferences and independent institutions in mid-April each year. One unit is awarded to each institution participating in each game, except the championship game. In 2004-05, each basketball unit was approximately $152,000 for a total $113.7 million distribution. In 2005-06, each basketball unit will be approximately $164,000 for a total $122.8 million distribution." http://www1.ncaa.org/finance/revenue_distribution_plan

As a DI independent, the answer is "definitely not." In a DI league like the Mid-Con with generally negative perceptions, the answer is "no". In a Big Sky Conference that would provide positive branding of a school, the answer is probably "yes." If an upset over a top 25 team can be pulled off every year - the answer is "yes." The bigger issue is valuing how much DI athletics is worth as a quality of life issue. For a city like Fargo, a DI athletics program has a potential to enhance its quality of life, relative to cities like Sioux Falls, Rapid City, or Bismarck. If DI is truly important to Fargo's (or Grand Forks) Chamber of Commerce, perhaps they should directly subsidize it, as arguably, they benefit more than the University does.

Today's Herald had this blurb: Obviously, someone thinks GF presents a decent springtime indoor sports opportunity. Why not UND lacrosse?

UND wasn't the only #1 seed to fall tonight. Unbeaten Washburn, as well as Drury, Delta State, and So. Conn. St. also all lost. Congratulations to St. Cloud St. Sascha Hansen and Erica Quigley must have shown a lot of heart tonight.

Curious that UNO's Culhane has actually spoke of the NCC expanding to the north and east. That can only mean Northern Michigan and Mich Tech are actually serious about joinging the NCC from the GLIAC. There was also talk of Wisconsin-Parkside moving from the GLVC. The distance to the U.P. of Mich would naturally repel UNO. If UNO moves to the MIAA, look for Kearney to go with them. The NCC would then be The NEW NCC Mich Tech N. Michigan Wis-Parkside (non-football) UM-Duluth MSU-Mankato SCSU Augie USD UND (to DI ?) WWash (football only) CWash (football only) 9 conference fb games (8 w/o UND) 16 conference BB (14 w/o UND)

Puck Swami: Thanks for an outside opinion. A few more questions: How well do think UND could draw per match? Are most of the lacrosse fans ex-HS players? How well does DU's women's team draw? Also, understand that the Great Western Lacrosse league is adding Bellarmine of Louisville to its ranks. Would that hurt UND's chances of getting into this league?

Hate to think of the media impact if Forum Communications took over the Herald. The Valley needs two separate newspapers with editorial staffs totally independent of each other. If the Forum went after the Herald, that might create a backlash in the northern valley due to the Forum's Cass-centric view of issues of statewide importance. Could definitely see The Forum would likely go after the Aberdeen paper or even Duluth's. Other chains that might go after the Herald would be the Bismarck Tribune's owner: Lee Newspapers or the Minot Daily New's: Odgen Newspapers

Winning pair: UNI's McDermott, Jacobson share unique bond

Would agree that the DI issue is a major factor in the timing of a coaching change. If UND announces DI intentions in May, the pool of candidates may be much larger. DI assistants or established DII coaches that never would have considered UND otherwise may now be interested. It would still be a tough position, as few prospective coaches relish the possibility of going through the transition, especially if no conference is available. If UND went DI, it would also be very unusual to hire a coach directly from the NAIA or JC ranks. Even DII coaches get few opportunities to jump to the even mid-level DI ranks unless they have previously been DI assistants or showed unusual ability at a high DII level (i.e. McDermott, Giacoletti). Even Miles wasn't able to move directly from NAIA D2 Mayville St to a then high DII level NDSU - he had to first put a stint in at SW Minn St. Still, wouldn't mind having Craig Smith at UND, especially considering what he's done at Mayville St, which is now in the Elite Eight.

Nice article in Pueblo paper (The Chieftain ) Sioux fans recognize effort of T-Wolves' Westerman

CSTV: D-II Women's NCAA Tournament Preview Washburn has makings of improbable basketball dynasty

This was in the Bismarck Tribune: Ledger jumps to college with ease

Interesting. On USCHO, a number of UM women's hockey fans have been rather constructively critical of UND's coaching capabilities and would probably agree with your gameplan execution issues. So what greener pastures will the Lamoureux sister's moving on to? They're only be juniors at Shattuck next year, right?

Seems success is in the eye's of the beholder. So these are successful seasons Take out the wins against NAIA, DIII, and DII teams, and these three teams may be collectively have a winning Pct. of 0.125. Women

The phrases "the shots just didn't fall", "So-and-so just didn't hit his shots", and "we just couldn't get the shots to fall" seem to be 90% of Glas' statements during any interview. From other coaches I often hear statements like "we didn't make the proper adjustments" that downplay bad-luck and deflect away criticism from the players and direct it on to the coaching staff. Glas ' seemingly respectful but really manipulative way of assigning blame elsewhere has finally irritated me enough with the men's program so that I will choose to not follow them now with him as the coach. Contrasting Glas statements after a BB loss with Lennon's statements after a football loss really speaks volumes in the difference in basic coaching philosophy.

With as young as the Bison men's team is, they far exceeded any reasonable expectations. Can't imagine the Bison women getting back on track for a number of years, though. In recruiting, their facilities are a black mark against them, girls BB'ers don't care as much about the DI label, they have no real conference title to work for, the travel is horrendous, and now, they can't tout a winning program. And this was going to be a flagship program for NDSU? But cheer up Amy, at least you're not in charge of the Bison volleyball program! Will Lynn Dorn and company even be capable of fielding a volleyball team next year? That program is in major turmoil. Let's just enjoy the next month!!

Sign of things to come? http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/2006022...IVES01/60226003