UND92,96

I remember Ferguson, but I guess I didn't realize he'd done anything once he got to Wesleyan. They've kind of fallen off since their probation, I think.

I can't disagree regarding the track records of recent Mon-Dak players, at least from schools other than NDSCS. Hunter Berg is the last really good one I can think of from Williston, Bismarck or Lake Region.

Thanks. Do you know whether UND is recruiting Matt Goodwin from Williston State? He's a 6'1" guard, a high school teammate of Mike Gutter, and is averaging something like 27 ppg.

Good article. Thanks. I wonder if the Empire could perhaps fill a niche that the independent theater in Helena (mentioned in the article) fills?

I agree. I don't care much for the Carmike 10. Just a question to anybody who might know: why didn't the movie "Good Night and Good Luck" ever make it to Grand Forks? Or did it and I just missed it? Did Carmike even try to get it?

Does anybody know whether there's any scholarship money left to bring in players for next year? I have to think there's a big need for some immediate impact players, since nearly half of the scoring--for a team which struggles to score as it is--will be leaving after this year. Considering Koenig's uncertain health status, I would think it's imperative to find another player who can be a scoring threat in the post. I think there may be a player at Lake Region who may be able to help there, and I've also heard Dryburgh's name mentioned from NDSCS. Also, I think there's a need for a guard who can penetrate and create his own shot. But perhaps Bledsoe can fill that need.

I think you'd have to say that this was a pretty good year for North Dakota high school talent, judging by the number of signees thus far. UND signed eight; NDSU four; other NCC schools signed three; and so far, eight more have signed with NSIC schools (Mary hasn't announced yet). Bubba signed two (Zack Winkler from North Border and Jamie Sigl from Bismarck); while Wahpeton's Cole Zarak signed with Augie. I don't know to what extent, if any, UND recruited Winkler, Sigl or Zarak.

If Tibesar was responsible for Wisconsin (I thought somebody said he was but I'm not sure), then it really seems as though his departure may have had an impact. We got far fewer Wisconsin signees than the past two seasons. I am pleased with our linebacker signees. I believe Cochran, Dublanko and Kasowski all run very well, and German is very solid on the inside. They should nicely complement last year's outstanding group of Stroup, Miller, Dombrovski, etc.

I was looking at it from a worst-case scenario: 1. Beatty is done after this year for sure; 2. Strouth may or may not come back for a 6th year, which would mean he could also be done after this season; 3. Sundby's health is an unknown to me (bad injury a couple of years ago); 4. so that leaves Brady, Armentrout and Chappell (who may possibly play some at receiver, a la Dressler). I know the coaches did try recruit some backs, and I have no problem with not signing any if the top 3-4 guys all decided to go elsewhere. Better to wait rather than simply signing guys for the sake of signing backs if they are not projected to be likely contributors down the road. Running back would seem to be a position where you can fill in with a transfer, either juco or division I, if necessary.

Here's the list of recruits. I have to wonder if perhaps there are more to come? If not, this would be the smallest recruiting class in several years. I'm also extremely surprised that no running backs (Kasowski and Schwenzfeier will almost certainly play defense) or receivers were signed. That's very unusual.

UND is expected to sign another North Dakota quarterback today: link. I'll be very interested to see whether Travis Mertens signs with anybody today. If not, I guess he's going to concentrate on basketball in college. I had heard before Christmas that he may try both at UND, but a lot may have changed since then. I think he's the biggest uncommitted North Dakota prospect out there.

I think UND may have gotten a good recruit in Rion Rayfield. He's averaging about 20 ppg so far this year.

Two days away from what should be the best home game of the year so far. I really hope we can fill the Betty for this one.

I'm hoping for some pleasant surprises tomorrow. No running back or receiver commitments have found their way into the media, and generally you want to sign skill position players every year due to the inevitable injuries and/or attrition. I would also expect at least one more linebacker will sign.

Playing Upper Iowa (men) and Mary (women) in February isn't ideal, but then again, neither is NDSU's January/February home schedule (men): Utah Valley St. (RPI 295) SDSU (RPI 230, but at least a familiar opponent) UMKC (RPI 264) Idaho (RPI 312) IPFW (RPI 269) Jamestown College Mayville St. Mary Whether playing AT Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado St. and Kansas St. is worth having those home games during what is normally the meat of a schedule is debatable.

verbals so far: Paul German, lb, Fargo South Ian Henderson, ol, Winnipeg Creighton Schroyer, ol, Pipestone Ross Cochran, lb, Kenosha Adam Ward, dl, Maple Grove Joel Schwenzfeier, db, Kittson Central Ryan Kasowski, lb, Grand Forks Central Jake Landry, qb, Grand Forks Central Kyle Krusenstjerna, dl, Eastview (MN) Carl Hanson, db, Oak Creek (WI) Matt Bakke, dl, Grand Forks Central Peter Gibbs, dl/olb, Grand Forks Central Steve Kalwasinski, te, Rochester Ty Boyle, dl, International Falls Dylan Glaser, ol, Bismarck High transfer: Taylor Murray, ol, SDSU

UND gets a couple of good commitments today: Ty Boyle, a lineman from International Falls who was 2nd team A.P. all state on offense, and Dylan Glaser, a 6'3", 270 lineman from Bismarck who was a two-time all stater.

All I can tell you is what I've heard regarding the reported figures for bball attendance at the Ralph. As for the Betty, if anything, it seems to be under-reported, at least that's my perspective using the supposed capacity minus the approximate number of empty seats. If there were really only 2500 people for the women's game last night, I'd be shocked.

To give credit where credit is due, the full front lobby at the Betty was utilized last night, so congestion wasn't bad at all. Now if they could just find someplace else to have the Fighting Sioux Club function (Olympic arena perhaps?) so that the entire area behind the north (?) bleachers didn't have to be blocked off... With that said, I really like dakotadan's suggestion more and more regarding a different set-up for basketball in the Ralph.

It's kind of an apples to oranges comparison using last year's numbers. I believe the suites artificially inflate the basketball attendance figures at the Ralph, since my understanding is that those people are counted whether they show up or not--and most don't. On the other hand, I do not believe that the Betty counting is necessarily 100% accurate, either. As I said, if there were 2700 for the UNO game, I really think there were over 3000 last night.

I don't know if I just can't judge the size of the crowd at the Betty yet, or if there was some problems with the count, but I could have sworn there were 3000 or more there last night. The "official" number was only a little over 2500, though.

Fitzner was a walk-on UND player for a year or two, and then transferred to Wayne State when Mac got the job there. He's from Valley City.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was thinking of festivus when the phrase "feats of strength" was mentioned.

I think you have a good idea, but the issues with scheduling around home hockey series and concerns about how the ice would be affected would be challenges. On the other hand, other schools/facilities seem to make it work so it's not impossible.