UND92,96

I don't believe the first regional poll comes out until next week, but this is how I believe the teams would probably be ranked right now: 1. UND (20-1) 2. Augustana (19-2) 3. Metro St. (12-3) 4. Nebraska-Kearney (11-3) 5. South Dakota (13-3) 6. Northern St. (13-4) 7. MSU-Moorhead (12-4) 8. Regis (11-4)

The biggest disappointment in the NCC so far has to be SCSU. They're now 12-6 overall (1-3 in the NCC), and have apparently lost their starting point guard (the one who all but guaranteed the Huskies would beat the Sioux in St. Cloud) to a probable season-ending knee injury. In other words, their questionable depth just got worse. Given the fact that they're likely only the fourth-best team in the NCC, and that the way they're going they'll likely have at least 10 losses by the end of the regular season, it's questionable whether they'll even make it back to the national tournament this year.

I haven't seen SDSU play at all since they left the NCC, but from what I've read, they feel like they're better than they were during their best dII years. Whether or not that's true, I don't know. They have beaten a number of "name" dI teams, so for that they should be commended. They probably don't have any single win as big as NDSU's men have (Wisconsin and Marquette), but overall I think they have done the best of the four SU basketball teams in terms of having a high number of quality wins over teams from major conferences. I would like to think UND's women will have similar success, but much of that will depend on the recruiting over the next few years. I don't necessarily think the recruiting has to be any better than it's been, but it can't fall off, either.

Kimbrough continues her exceptional play with 26 points and 11 boards. UND shot just 43%, but dominated the boards with a 54-29 rebounding advantage.

While I'd love for UND to get Wahlin, I won't be overly disappointed if she chooses a major conference school like Minnesota or Iowa State. I'd be disappointed if she chooses NDSU, as UND simply hasn't lost out to NDSU for a really good northwestern Minnesota player in awhile. In any event, all the more reason to keep an eye on Privatsky. I think she's very good.

Great win! USD is much improved this year, and the Sioux have traditionally struggled in the dome. This will probably be the second-toughest conference road game for UND, with Augie being the toughest.

The answer is "yes." link.

I'm very curious as to whether UND is seriously recruiting Devils Lake's Ashley Privatsky? She's a 5'8" junior point guard who is currently leading the EDC in points, assists and steals, each by a pretty wide margin. With all the hype surrounding Kamille Wahlin (and justifiably so), Privatsky may be flying under the radar to an extent, since she is in the same grade, plays the same position and is the same size. Particularly if Wahlin chooses Minnesota or some other school besides UND, Privatsky would appear to be somebody to keep an eye on.

I also have heard that a defensive player from Hibbing CC has committed, although I don't know his name or position. I believe Hibbing is coached by ex-UND player Kurt Zuidmulder.

The bottom line to me is that it's part of a coach's job--even an interim one--to provide reasonable access to the media when so asked. The women's hockey program has enough problems without adding to them. Miller's apparent aloofness with the media isn't helping matters, IMO. I suppose things have changed to an extent with the advent of blogging, but I can't recall anybody from the Herald ever being critical of a UND coach before.

Miller still isn't making any friends in the local media. link. Strange, to say the least. At this point, you would assume Buning has told him to start making himself available for interviews.

Kolpack weighs in with the unofficial NDSU response. So I guess it makes sense in Taylor's eyes to "punish" UND based on the alleged actions of ex-a.d. Roger Thomas? Even if one were to take Kolpack's accusations as being true--and I don't know the whole story--how much sense does it really make to engage in petty revenge? Frankly, I'm fine with not playing NDSU. I'm fine with playing NDSU. I just would like to see the schools' administrators bury the proverbial hatchet already.

Kevin Fee had a blog entry yesterday on the Lamoureux twins' decision. link. The most interesting thing is in the "comments" section. Fee says he thinks UND would have had a good chance of landing the Lamoureux's had Shantel Rivard been let go after last season and a new coach hired for this season.

I think the statement in question was made by then-Viking Keith Millard after being pulled over for something in the late 80's or early 90's.

There's no question that the addition of UNC has been a complete and utter disaster so far for the Big Sky. The awful men's basketball program should have been anticipated. The currently awful football program was probably more difficult to have anticipated. The legal problems? Sadly, that shouldn't have come as a huge surprise, either. Anybody remember Steve Cutlip?

Congrats to Emmanuel Little for being named NCC player of the week. link.

According to Kevin Fee, Miller isn't exactly going out of his way to accommodate the media. link.

The key against USD is to defend the 3. That's pretty much the majority of their offense. The probem is that their "center", Robinette, is a good 3-point shooter, and Lavin tends to have her bring the ball up the court against UND. That forces Langen to defend her 25 feet away from the basket, which is asking a lot of Ashley. If Robinette isn't shooting well, then much of the problem is solved. If she is, then it probably becomes necessary to defend her with a smaller and quicker player. Since there probably won't be anybody else on the floor for USD who is a better matchup for Langen to defend, it's creates something of a dilemma for Roebuck.

Offensively, UND is extremely good. About the only criticism I have is that they don't make (or even take) many 3's. I think Emmanuel Little may very well be the best player in the conference right now. Anderson and Dreas will, of course, make more 3's, and probably have a little higher scoring average, but I wouldn't take either over Little. Unfortunately, defensively the Sioux just aren't there yet. I don't fault the effort, but the results just aren't very good.

You are correct. It never ceases to amaze me that people continue to play the "what if" game with regard to a dI NCC. It was never going to be a long-term solution, unless a four or five team "conference" with no autobid is appealing.

I'm sure some people are going to attack me for this, but in my opinion, against USD and some other teams without a true post, the Sioux really should consider going to a smaller starting lineup of Kimbrough, Guinn, Bagaason (or Maffin), Beck and Jahner. I am a Langen fan, but I just don't want to watch her try to guard a 5'11" player out on the perimeter, because that's what has happened in the past, and almost certainly will happen again. Kimbrough is not a great defender, but at least she's a lot more mobile than is Ashley. The point is, against some smaller, quicker NCC frontcourts, I don't believe you can play Kimbrough and Langen together and still play effective man-to-man defense. The thing I can't figure out about Langen is what has happened to her shooting--both from the field and from the free throw line. Through her first two years, she shot .614 from the field, and .831 from the free throw line. This year, those numbers have dropped dramatically--.489 from the field, and .694 from the line.

That was a pretty stupid thing to say, especially by a player who shoots 31% from the floor on the season, and who went 0-5 last night. I'm guessing Ulferts isn't too happy with her right now.

It was a very exciting game to watch. I just wish Koenig had made that layup. The kid just can't catch a break.

If I understood Roebuck correctly, it sounded like she was out for sure tonight; probably out for Mankato; and probably will be back by USD.