biff

Why would DU be interested in the Big Sky? The Big Sky's interest in DU is obvious, but I don't think DU think's it's in the same class as those "redneck" schools in Montana or enen UNC. That's like NDSU thinking they're going to get in to the Big Sky anytime soon with out any membership changes out west. Baseball and Softball are tough sports to excel at this far north, since you don't have the facilities, lacrosse is potentially a good niche sport.

This is a complete bull$h!t statment. How do you know this? You have nothing to back this other than your assumptions. At least in this part of the country student athletes are held to a higher standard and required to get good grades. That's not always the case at larger BCS schools (according to folks I know at a SEC school). Sometimes their students even go to class. This is a stupid argument.

So if UND doesn't declare DI this month, nothing changes. Even if they stay D2, the discussion doesn't go away. There will still be recruits lost to SU. If the SU's go Mid-Con, there will be talk of UND going to the Big Sky in October or in the spring (possibly as a travel partner for UNC?). I say the debate lasts at least another year.

Adding just NDSU wouldn't be the worst thing for UND and SDSU long term. If/when expansion happens again in the BSC, you'll have another school voting in favor of SDSU or UND.

Indeed. An offer would definatly be welcome if it includes UND (ok, except for some Bison fans). Many of you have continued to slam NDSU for moving up without a conference against the consultant's recommendation and the school's administration felt they knew better and went anyway. Obviously the transition has gone well so far for many sports and given the opportunity again, they'd make the same decision even with the pains of being independant. Having UND on the schedule only helps the bottom line as stadiums would be packed with the renewed rivalry.

Just curious, do you guys know what your bball head coach gets paid?

Outmanuvered??? Had the SU's not gone DI do you really think UND would be looking at it? No way. I'm all for UND getting into the BSC with the SU's, but without the head start in DI by the SU's (they'll be tourney eligible sooner) UND wouldn't have a chance of getting an invite.

I can't beleive a coach would say something that stupid!! I mean really? Wanting his team to be 'the' sport in the state? Why can't these guys figure it out and strive for eternal mediocrity?

Who's incoherent? I wasn't arguing against anything. Just surprised they didn't try to raise a little more $ and add a few more seats for the home court advantage that comes from not switching arenas.

Hey guys (and girls?), rivalry aside, it's good to know most ND people support a team from NORTH DAKOTA no matter where they went to school. We need all the publicity we can get.

I've been in Hyslop when it was packed, didn't it hold a few more people than the Betty? Why did they decide to make the new arena smaller, funding? What's happening at the old Ralph these days? Sounds like it's easy to see some of the Betty's short comings, but having that many facilities isn't a bad problem to have.

The whole thing is like two siblings who don't get along. This thread has turned into bickering. Leave out hockey, wrestling, and swimming and they're two programs that are very similar in terms of support, sucess and athletes. A former Sioux FB player told me that the only difference between a Bison and Sioux FB player is the color of their jersey. On that note, I think the Bison won't play the Sioux for the same reasons the Sioux wouldn't play the Bison a few years ago, playoff consideration and spite. Bison need to be voted in for playoffs and strength of schedule is important. Doesn't mean there can't be games in other sports though. I can understand NDSU not wanting to get burned again, but I think they should have taken the high road, sucked it up, and put a few games on some schedules.

UND could do fairly well and knock off some big names, but don't expect to do it every week and be in the top 10 right away. The players NDSU and UND recruit in ND, MN and the area make up the core of the team, but you need speed, depth and impact players to hang with top 10 teams every week. UND doesn't have many and NDSU needs a few more or they won't be ranked much higher than they were this year. UND would do well, but top 10 team right away, not a chance.