siouxfan512

Is Jim going to post his Pairwise rankings articles like he has in the past? Always enjoy reading the "what if" scenarios for the upcoming weekends.

UNDs hockey fan base has been around far longer that the REA. Does the REA help? Sure. But the Betry should also help, compared to the Hyslop, and the Alerus should help, compared to memorial. It all comes down to winning. If UND was 5 time national Champs in football, there would be zero question about support or filling seats. If basketball was annual big Sky contenders, and making the dance the crows would be there. We are already seeing improvement on both fronts. Let's not cut the hockey programs success short because of their arena, or because they have the following, which is based on success. The other sports are getting there, which is awesome.

Sure hope so, he has shown his potential in small flashes. Today, not so much. Thursday, he play horrible to start, then came back into the game and played much better. Development and consistency is what he needs, certainly has the size.

haha, maybe, as long as none of this young talent were to leave. Also depends on who we would hire to replace him.

..... and in the last 40 years? UND has been in the frozen four how many times in the last decade? UND football has been in the playoffs how many times in the last decade? Yes, UND had a great Engelstad contribution, but they were successful well before that. Even so, we don't need to argue about that point. I would like to see the stands packed for all sports, but UND is not the only place to have this issue. Schools support successful programs, UND is working to get there for Basketball and Football. It WILL get there. You've seen me on the other thread enough to know, I'm a big supports of more than just hockey. Even so, there is no denying hockey is the big ticket in town. Can't control what people like, can only hope that they expand on what they watch.

I don't think the criticism is totally unwarranted, given Jones's record over 10 years. BUT at this point, he has found a good combination of young talent, and has them played great, on both offense and defense. I would say Jones has certainly quieted the "fire Jones" talk, and earned the right to play out what happens with this group of talent. Especially, if he can make some noise in the Big Sky Tournament and potentially go dancing, he will have really earned the right to shut people up.

Totally, as far as basketball goes, I just want to see these kids keeping rolling. Crandall - Going to be a stud, just needs to be a little more patient. Hooker - Already a stud, can't believe we get the kid for another year. What a leader. Avants - Going to be a horse for this team. Hard work and pure grit. McBuckets - Going to be a sharpshooter for years to come. Bernstine - Great all around player. Going to be a solid leader for this team. Seales - A ton of potential, but looks like a freshman. Going to develop into a great player. Baker - can't wait to see this addition.

No, I agree with you. It goes both ways. Booing people for embracing the name is dumb, just like criticizing people for yelling Sioux is dumb. Either way, you are cheering for the same team, maybe just with a different historical sentiment. Regardless, lets cheer against the opposition, not ourselves.

I understand what you mean, and part of that support will come with winning. Support used to be there, especially for football. It'll be back, but you can't ever expect it to be as big as it is for hockey. In the "hockey world" UND competes on the highest stage and pumps out NHL athletes. UND Football and Basketball don't. Doesn't mean they don't deserve a high following, but also considering the region in which UND competes, some people are just bigger hockey fans than anything else. Nickname politics aside, if UND Football and Basketball wants a high level of support, they need to win. Today was a great example of the potential for that. Huge win, best fan support we have seen in a while. Absolutely love seeing a ton of football players at the game supporting the basketball team, Bubba included. Just awesome to see. I understand wanting more support across the board, just need to be mindful than not everyone like sports outside of hockey ... in this region. UND Hockey has earned the support and attention the get. At most schools Football and Basketball is the money maker; UND is an exception to the rule. We're not the gopher where we play in the BIG football or Basketball. UND is in kind of unique position where our hockey program is bigger than our basketball and football team; not something most schools have to deal with.

ok really, lets move the nickname chatter to the appropriate thread. If you want to talk on here, lets celebrate a huge victory for this basketball team.

Lets not kid our selves, even with football, its not like we're an FBS Alabama either. In Grand Forks, hockey is, and always will be top dog. Doesn't mean there isn't a ton of room for Football and Basketball to flourish. I just think we need to let people use whichever nickname they prefer, without criticizing, as it won't change anything anyway. Trying to convince a hardcore "Sioux" fan to refer to teams as "Hawks" is like trying to convince a hardcore "Republican" to vote "Democrat". To can talk your ears off, but people are going to think what they want. Just let it be. Let Sioux fans use "Sioux", Let Hawk fans use "Hawk". It really doesn't matter, as long as both parties focus on the sports and not the nickname crap. The bickering just makes the fanbase look foolish.

Wow! thats awesome.

Everyone seriously needs to shut the hell up on the nickname crap. Both sides of the argument. If you want to call em hawks, do it. If you want to call em Sioux, do it. Bottom line, und hockey is #2, und football is on the rise and primed for a big season, and UND basketball is young, loaded and looking for its first trip to the big dance. Screw you all if you want to bicker about the name, and that goes for the folks criticizing the use of Sioux, just as much as those criticizing the use of hawks. Pathetic!

Finish strong boys!

He kind of reminds me of Werner from NDSU, not the most graceful guy, but just gets it done.

Just an awful game

Nice half. Got start the second hot. Wbeer is going to want to close that gap fast and early. Weather the storm and keep doing what they are doing. This is a really fun team to watch.

McBuckets!

Shanks to the bench is probably a good thing

I posted the below info back in December on our first few games. It was a slow day at work, haha. Ok, I got tired of moping about the fact that we were completely snubbed from the playoffs, so I decided to take a look at our non-conference schedule for next season. A lot to be determined before then, and there will certainly be some new faces in the mix for UND as well as our opponents, but here it is. I see UND starting out 2-1 in the non-conference schedule, but if the 2015 season taught us anything, surprises can happen. So maybe with a grade A performance, we can pick up another (and this time quality) FBS win. Feel free to pick this apart and comment, but hopefully it makes a good read for those of us who need some football material to read in lieu of missing the playoffs. Stony Brook (5-5)(3-5 conf.) Finished 10th in the Colonial Athletic Conference Last meeting was 2014 in Grand Forks; UND won 13-3 Key Win: Beat New Hampshire 31-6 (giving them more wins against playoff teams than E. Illinois J ) Key Departures: QB Conor Bednarski DL Victor Ochi (12 solo sacks, 2 assisted sacks, 14 solo TFL, 5 assisted TFL) Rankings within CAA Scoring - 7th - 17.3 PPG Rushing – 7th – 152.7 YPG Passing – 9th – 148.1 YPG Scoring D – 1st – 15.7 PPG Rushing D – 1st – 104.6 YPG (Stony Brook, meet John Santiago) Passing D – 1st – 145.5 YPG This really shouldn’t be much of a contest. Stony Brook’s strength is their defense, but if our offense can emerge like we did late this season, then UND should roll by halftime. Hopefully that is the case, because if you lose a game like this, you are already a long to make the playoffs. SB will probably stop some drives, but it looks like their offense continues to be anemic. UND needs to open up a heavy lead, and then start trying some different things to prep for the following week. Bowling Green (9-3) (7-1 conf.) Finished 1st in the Mid-American Conference – East (Plays N Illinois this weekend for conference championship) Won 2 games vs Big 10 (Maryland and Purdue) Key Departures: QB Matt Johnson (4465 Yds, 41 TDs, RB Travis Greene (1036 Yds, 12 TDs) DB Dernard Turner (4 int, 1 TD) Key Returning Players: WR Gehrig Dieter (82 Rec, 882 Yds, 9 TDs) WR Roger Lewis (76 Rec, 1401 Yds, 14 TDs) (Hi Roger, I’d like you to meet Cole Reyes J ) WR Ronnie Moore (62 Rec, 818 Yds, 5 TDs) DB Alfonso Mack (5 int) Rankings withing MAC Scoring – 1st – 44.2 PPG Rushing – 5th – 178.2 YPG Passing – 1st – 387.8 YPG Scoring D – 8th – 27.8 PPG Rushing D – 7th – 166.2 YPG Passing D – 11th – 255.2 YPG This will be a much bigger test than playing Wyoming. Fortunately, BGSU will be losing a monster of a QB, as well as their senior RB. Unfortunately, BGSU will likely start James Knapke (6-2, 237) at QB, and he will have several dangerous receivers still on the roster. Knapke took over for an injured Matt Johnson in 2014, and threw for 3173 yards and 15 TDs. It is also worth noting that while BGSU loses starting RB Travis Green, they will still have Fred Coppet who still rushed for just over 700 yards 4 TDs. His average per carry was actually slightly better than Greene, and without Will Ratelle on the field, our linebackers will need to step up (Hopefully Taj Rich comes back really strong). I don’t think BGSU will be as good next year as they were this year, but they will still be a very strong team. Probably not a game you expect to win, but definitely need to be competitive, and if the defense plays well, and our offense is clicking, then who knows. Santiago can always be a game changer and Oliveira will only get better. If Keaton starts next season where he left off, then there is certainly potential in this matchup. Needless to say, this would be UNDs biggest win at the D1 level if they could pull it off. South Dakota (5-6) (3-5 conf.) Finished 7th in the dreaded MVFC and somehow was not included in the 2015 FCS Playoffs (Rumor is next year all MVFC teams will get an auto bid) Key Wins: Beat NDSU in Fargo 24-21 Key Departures: Coach Joe Glenn WR Eric Shufford (45 Rec, 470 Yds, 2 TDs) LB Keyen Lage (50 solo tackles, 34 assisted, 10 solo TFL, 1 assisted TFL) Key Returning Players: QB Ryan Saeger (1984 yds, 12 TDs) WR B Van Roekel (33 Rec, 518 Yds, 6TDs) A Van Ginkel (9 solo sacks, 17 solo TFL, 2 assisted TFL) Rankings within MVFC Scoring – 9th – 21 PPG Rushing – 7th – 165.7 YPG Passing – 7th – 183.7 YPG Scoring D – 6th – 25.5 PPG Rushing D – 4th – 159.8 YPG Passing D – 3rd – 184.7 YPG My first inclination is that regardless of score, or how many points UND can rack up, the win (and an automatic playoff spot) should go to USD, purely for having the grapes to be a part of the amazing MVFC (sense the sarcasm). In reality, this is a very winnable game for UND, especially at home. Though USD has certainly shown they can play spoiler, go ask about it on bisonville, I dare you. This game is winnable, but will be a good measuring stick. While USD is not a top team right now, they are very capable, and they do play in a tough conference. I still take UND at home.

I've never been a big Brian Jones fan, but I have to give credit where credit is due. He has done a nice job of putting a quality team on the floor this year. Good young players, actually playing defense, putting some convincing wins on their record. Lots to be excited about here.

This is just absurd. So much young talent on this team. I'd really like to see a little more out of Seales, but it'll come. Biggest surprise to me (not that I'm a great basketball mind at all) is McBuckets. Last night was ridiculous, but he has been getting better and better all season. Excited to see him nailing the Big 3s for the next few years.

A win over Weber would be huge! It would really give these guys some confidence heading into the last few weeks of the season. Beat Weber and you know you have a legitimate chance to win the Big Sky. Would be great to see this young talented team go to the big dance.

It might be better if shanks just fouls out early. Lookin kind of rough at both ends.

Tougher than most decisions I had to make in college. Which cup do I aim for, without overthrowing the ping pong ball? Bud Light or Miller Light? .... I guess I can only afford Busch Do I pop my collar tonight? heck no, I'm not a Sigma Chi .... jk