Exactly none of the examples you just laid out apply to this situation. UND is in a conference as good as NDSU's and play at the same level as them, and have damn near the same overall funding as them, minus a lag in coaching salaries.
Also, UND hockey is playing at Bemidji State this year and played there last year. Your examples are not apples to apples because UND has the tradition and funding of the top schools but is down at the moment. Won't last.