I understand the "making the tournament" argument because it means UND has a chance ever year. However, at what point does simply making the Top 8 or Top 4 become not enough for a program that is Top 3 in "advantages" (facilities, support, history). Honestly, who has more built-in advantages than UND? Minnesota, BC, Michigan?
What I have seen is Hakstol is only as good as his recruiting. When he has Toews, Oshie, Duncan, etc. than his teams were pretty good. When he doesn't have one or two of the best players in the country his teams are pretty good (5-10 range). Has a UND team ever overachieved and went to the FF when they weren't supposed to or won it all?