Matt

I do believe UND has better talent this year, but NDSU wouldn't be just some NCC also ran if they were D-2. Again, they are not 90's caliber, but losing in overtime in the title game in 2000, and losing to the Sioux by one point in the 2004 regional would be, for plenty of programs, enough to ensure your job. However, even if these teams play next year, I stand by my statement of a series split with the rubber match to UND. I won't become more of a statistician than I already have, but there have been many times in this series when one team seemed to have the upper hand, only to stumble. Basketball rivalries in which there are usually 2-3 games per season tend to shake down like that. Hence, 21-23.

Schwan cup Gold division consolation championship: AA #1 Moorhead def AA #5 Roseville 4-1. Spuds outshot the Raiders 42-19.

I also think UND is in a good position for success in their transition. However, I'm not as cavalier about NDSU's program as some here seem to be. While they are not where they were in 1990, it certainly isn't 1975 either. When these teams play each other regularly again, I fully expect a series split, with a rubber match going either way if there is one (no I'm not taking into account any possible conference conflicts). As good as both these team have been since Gene took over in '87 he is 21-23 vs Ruley, and just as 7>5 in hockey championships, so too is 5>3 in basketball. A dose of healthy respect could do us good, if the bad blood surrounding the Bison move up hasn't poisoned us all.

Do you think Bison fans expected the women's program to struggle the way they have in comparison to FB and MBB? If so, why? If not, how would UND be immune to such growing pains?

Schwan Cup Update: Gold division 3rd place-Hill-Murray, ranked #6 in AA, defeated unranked White Bear Lake, 3- 2. This game actually has broader implications than third place. It is a big rivalry game with these teams, and has implications on the Section 3 AA seedings come playoff time, which makes a big difference when there is also 2004 state champion Centennial and #5 Roseville to get through to even qualify for the big show at the X.

Some interesting interstate matchups in the next two days. Tonight Roseau, #4 in MN Class AA vs Grand Forks Central; Friday Warroad, #6 in MN Class A vs. Grafton/Park River. Warroad beat Fargo North on Wed 7-1, and GPR beat unranked Osseo/Marantha Christian 7-2. I'm not sure what to think of these games. I believe Central will surprise some people and give Roseau all they want. Given Roseau lost at home to Moorhead 4-1 this year, and then had a very tight game against a Bemidji team that Moorhead beat 12-0, I'm wondering if Roseau isn't a bit overrated this year. As for the Warroad/GPR game, I see the same scenario. Warroad's best win this year would be their home win vs class A #12 Orono 6-5, and they did beat Grand Forks Central 4-1 on the road. However, they got smoked at Class A #5 Hibbing 5-1. I see Warroad in a close one, only because they are at home.

Well, since UND and the rest of the WCHA make a living on MN High School players, I figured a thread is in order.

Agreed. But I also think we are in agreement that to earn a full scholarship at a I-AA right out of high school, vs earning one by your Jr or Sr year of college, you need better speed than Solum has right now. Solum is in a tough spot. He doesn't have the size to be a 25-30 carry/game back, but doesn't have Dressler speed either. That limits his D-1 possibilities. The difficult decision becomes: Do you look for a full ride at a D-2 school, or accept a partial/walk on at a D-1 and earn a ride in a couple years? That of course is totally aside from any acedemic criteria that can change the equation.

Solum would be a good D-2 player, today, right now. However, is he a top I-AA recruit? In contrast, Dressler's speed alone makes him a valuable I-AA player, but as you wrote, Solum doesn't have that type of speed. By the time Solum is a junior or senior he may work himself into a solid position on a I-AA roster, but is he a guy you go after hard and offer a full ride to as a Frosh? If I had the money and need, I'd offer a partial, nothing more, IMHO.

I always love that one.

Contact their legislators? And tell them to do what exactly? Make them put UND on the U sports schedule? If we want a public backlash, lets see what happens when the MN house reconvenes and Pogemiller says some boosters are wasting his time trying to change a policy he wholeheartedly agrees with, concerning a nickname he finds offensive, all the while he is trying to fund healthcare for uninsured MN children. Don't think that SoB wouldn't do it either. That's just the state reps, God knows what the Federal reps would say about it. Don't make this political. Lest we forget, Minnesota is snuggled right between California and Massachussetts on the political spectrum. It's not like in ND. Either persuade the advisory comittee, or wait out the clock on Maturi. I think that's the best shot at success.

Well, when the day of the dance came up Sue (pun intended) decided to sit this one out, the options were limited. But I see NDSU's willingness to try to stick with the bunnies. They left the comfort zone and gambled together. "Success rightly goes to those who are willing to take the risk."

That's too much credit. How much smarts does it take to figure that out? He said all the right things about scheduling the SU's as well. Look at the past attendance for I-AA games. He can't fill the dome with Illinois State. He wants the gate that playing these regional teams bring.

I'm trying to figure out under what circumstances the gophers change this policy. A troubling aspect of this is how the "advisory" comittee seems to want more than an advisory role. I get the feeling they are prepared to make a lot more trouble on campus if Maturi didn't act on their wishes. So, who thinks a game can ultimately get scheduled, and when?

I tend to agree. Pandoras box is open. You don't take a stance against the nickname and then change your mind when the nickname hasn't changed. How can we force any team to schedule someone they don't want to, regardless of whether the lawsuit is won? This pendulum isn't swining back.

One of the reasons I will be surprised if the NSIC takes all the NCC survivors. They aren't hurting for numbers now, and their current teams are in favorable playoff position (not just football).

I always love that one

Not more coveted, just much harder to attain. Simply makingthe state tourney in MN is something most players in MN will never achieve.

It is beyond dispute this team is not good this year, but those are absolutely unrealistic expectations. Particularly courageous from someone who isn't putting on the jersey or lacing the skates every day to post they hold someone else to such a standard. The thing about goal setting is they must be...realistic...achievable...measureable. When you don't have those first two, the last doesn't matter. No program at any level wins every game they play and contends for a championship every year. Those expectations reflect more on you than it does the Sioux administration, coaches, or players for not delivering those goods.

I keep hearing on the radio how they just don't get bounces or breaks. Shouldn't it be Tech that needs bounces and breaks to win? Let alone a sweep. On the road?

Have any ND high school players given any D-1 verbals this year?

If anyone wants a preview of South's Dec 21 opponent-Moorhead-they play Grand Rapids on FSN @7:45.

I really like what I reading here, but I have to ask. Who felt this way when the SU's left?