UND92,96

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.

Roebuck said the key against SCSU would be to not allow Quigley offensive rebound put-backs, and not to foul her. Basically, make her earn her points. Maffin won't play, which will obviously affect UND's depth, but he is very pleased with the way Bagaason is playing. He also really praised Beck and Jahner. He feels Guinn is a starter, but likes bringing her off the bench because she can play four positions. He said Seay is going to be a great player, but needs to play more instinctive rather than being overly analytical. He said something to the effect that sometimes she's too smart for her own good.

Case in point--a certain Viking receiver drafted 7th overall a couple of years ago.

I agree. Let's also keep in mind that even Dressler wasn't considered to be super-fast until his senior year of track, AFTER he signed with UND. Prior to that, he was still a great football player, and a pretty good 800 meter runner, but not really a sprinter. Maybe Solum will get faster over the next few years (not that he's slow--he qualified for state in the 100 as a soph. and jr.); or maybe he plays faster than his 40 time would suggest. Regardless, I think he was the best skill position player in ND this year, and I'm very pleased that he'll be playing for the Sioux.

I think Dale Lennon and Steve Veldman (Matt's uncle) played four years together at UND. Hopefully Steve enjoyed his time here, and vouches for what a quality individual Dale is.

I believe he was second-team all-metro at tight end and he sounds like a good prospect. I just hope this doesn't mean we won't be getting Veldman.

I don't think so. Even if Quigley gets 30, I don't believe SCSU has enough of a supporting cast to get it done this year. Their point guard last year, Sascha Hansen, was a huge key for them. She's gone, and hasn't been close to being replaced in the lineup. UND has superior depth, and far more balanced scoring. I think the Sioux will win by at least 10 points. IMO, SCSU is on par with--or slightly better than--MSU-Moorhead and Concordia-St. Paul this year. The Sioux didn't have any problem with either of those teams, and I look for a similar result tomorrow.

From Wayne Nelson's article today: SCSU has been to the past two elite 8's, but has only beaten UND once in the past 10 games between the two teams. To me, that's like saying the UND football team has had the upper hand against UNO of late based upon this year's playoff win.