Ole in MSP

True enough, this program has not had a signature victory since beating UNI in 2006. Comparable to NDSU and USD victories and SDSU's almost victory over Minnesota, NOT! This program in my mind is behind schedule and I am not sure the weak schedule this coming Fall will tell us if very much has changed.

Agree, the UND site is the best of the bunch and probably staffed by students. The rest of the area journalistic types are out to lunch or out hunting or something. In order to be a "big time" program someone up there needs to eat, sleep, and live UND FB and it is not happening so far.

I think that part of the problem at UND with FB attendance is the coverage that the team gets. Maybe I am wrong, but I do not think that the Herald, Sioux Insider, or UND athletic site are anywhere near ready for a DI situation. I went to the UND FB site and got a spring update on the team. It had some gal interviewing Emmitt Lynch about his ballroom dance teaching. There are some videos in there about various position groups etc. and there are a few articles here and there about the QB competition, but they are not easy to find as weblinks and in general the coverage of the major D1 sport other than hockey just plain is terrible, at least from my point of view and with my internet resources. Other opinions?

The board of regents at Minnesota is "God". Other than the state legislature they have absolute authority over the U of Minn. for decision making.

I did not see the DAZ thing and do not know how extensive the undercurrent is with midwest schools. On a positlve note, the new UM prez is an ex Stoney Brook guy and very sports oriented so we may have a little history that will turn positive once he is in place. Maturi recognizes the $ value of games against UND especially in MSP, but when he approaches the Regents he gets turned down. Of course he may not be long in the job either the way things are over on campus with the athletic non achievement.

Say what you want about Kelley and Faison, but it is VERY true that Maturi at UM cannot schedule UND in FB because the Board of Regents will not let him as long as the Sioux name stands. I do not know details of Iowa or UW, but suspect the same. As was stated, it would be wonderful to travel 30 minutes for MSP alums to watch UND play UM, 4 hours to Madison, or 4 hours to Iowa City. UND men BB did play in Madison this past year and I was there and it was fun though they got hammered. I think it was scheduled, as was the SB games recently because the 3 year waiting period to change the name had not passed. Once that date passes I think Faison is not going to get that benefit. There is strong sentiment among many Minnesotans that the NCAA is a bunch of crap, but as long as the university administrations in midwest states hold the PC position Faison has a problem and it surely affects those fans and local alumni who would like to see UND play up to some of these major schools as well as hurting recruiting the midwest.

Best seat in the house, the bench in the Big 10.

After 4 days to recover from this devastating, disappointing, loss, I have to throw out my two cents worth. The coaches put together a great team, won consistently, had the number 1 or 2 ranking pretty much all year and won the league title, playoff title, and regional title. They outplayed one of the best teams in the country, but did not get any luck whatsoever in the title game. Michigan played a smart, upset minded game and lest people forget also beat CC, UNO, and almost beat UMD, teams that during the year gave the Sioux all they wanted in most games. The Sioux probably would win against UM most of the time, but not last Thursday in spite of playing a great game. They did not lose because of a refs bad call, a fluke goal, or anything else out of the ordinary. They just plain lost because they could not get the puck in the net. No complaints on my part even though it is gut wrenching to lose when you are expected to win. You cannot coach quickness around the net. If there was a deficiency for this team it was that one half step extra needed to get open in traffic. Hopefully with Grimaldi and Miller and some healthy returnees that can be remedied next year. Go Sioux! Great season and thanks very much for the entertainment.

Hope you are right about Comes and Bradley OR one of the incumbent QB's plays well this year. Since you are so much younger than I, you can wait for this program to "arrive". Me, I have been patient, but it is wearing thin.

You know, I hope I am wrong. I wish all the best to the QB corps we have. I would love to see one or two of them step up and be an All American QB. Based on last year, I do not see it happening. I was just hoping beyond hope that Demler, Comes, or Bradley would come to the fore and be a great QB. Do you have any eligibility left? The QB's from USD and SFU have made our QB's look like statues with cement shoes the last two years. Last year at Idaho Landry looked like a deer in the headlights and that was better than Goska looked later in the season. Hendrickson, well.............enough said. Freund may make a difference, but this program is too important to not find a couple of kids that are of big time quality. Got any other wise comments?

Melrose does not know one ND from another. Thinks ND in this game in North Dakota. The guy is a hak.

These are great. Don't anyone bother reading the Pioneer Press though, their coverage of the Frozen Four is between terrible and non existent. An article today dwelling on Frattin's past and one the other day on some Australian fans coming to cheer for UMD. I am cancelling my subscription.

This position absolutely scares me to death. If Demler feels he can not ever play here, what was Muss doing recruiting him? He has two real stiffs ahead of him from last year, a contemporary in Comes, and a juco transfer that apparently so far is mildly impressive. This position killed us last year even with the holdover DII recruit Landry. If this program is to succeed, QB play has to be an absolute top priority. With the weak schedule for 2011 we might survive, but looking beyond that unless Bradley or Comes are really top quality players this program is in trouble. As you note, I have no confidence in either Hendrickson or Goska doing anything special for this team.

I heard there was another sport taking preference for another week or so. Any ideas what that is?

Other than 2 more FCS home games via the BSC alliance, what makes you think the home schedule is going to get better? If you strive for mediocrity, that is what you will achieve. There is no apparent reason that UND is not as attractive to playing "up" teams as USD, NDSU, and SDSU are here in the midwest. I have been against playing NDSU every other year, but in view of some of the "home" games we have the next two years I would gladly play the Bison in FARGO as often as they are willing rather than continue to "play down"! C'mon, am I going to go to the D1 capable kid next door here in St Paul and say if you go to UND you can play against Montana Western and Black Hills State or even Drake. He will think I am nuts.

Keep scheduling SDSM, Black Hills State, Montana Western etc. and they can play the games at Valley Middle School field.

USD is also playing at Wisconsin in 2011 after playing Minnesota in 2010. USD is being more aggressive or at least more successful in scheduling midwest big schools. Is the reason because of the Sioux name or is Faison sleeping through the phone ringing? I am really getting tired of seeing the other Dakota schools gain more regional exposure when UND kicked their ass for many years on the field. Faison are you awake?

I probably forgot a lot of good places in St Paul. There is no need to go all the way over to MPLS to find great food etc.

After reading some of the posts on here it is obvious most of you are not familiar with St Paul or the restaurant scene here. After 42 years here I would like to offer some options that are cost effective, close by, and good quality. Most if not all within a mile or so of the Xcel. Do not bother eating in Minneapolis unless you have a specific reason to do so. Here are just a sampling of what St Paul has to offer. Joseph's Grill just across river from downtown, breakfast, lunch, dinner, not fancy Mancini's char house just west of Xcel about a mile, great steaks, not fancy Savoy Pizza east of downtown, not if you are in a hurry though Yarusso's previously mentioned Downtowner Woodfire grill just west of Xcel Mo' s Burgers same Forepaugh's (upscale French just west & south of the Xcel, expensive and you will need resv and time) St Paul Grill on Rice park, pricey, but great, resv and time Pazzaluna, upscale Italian downtown walk to Xcel McGoverns Pub The Liffey Tom Reid's Several places around Mears park on downtown east side, but area is torn up for the light rail On Grand Ave west of downtown are: La Cucharacha, Mexican Dixies on Grand, Cajun and southern D'amico and sons, Italian Lexington, upscale supper club Everest, Indian and Tibetan food Salut, plus others On Selby near Cathedral Fabulous Fern's Moscow on the Hill W A Frost plus others

You wouldn't even think about it if not for the hockey part of this! Get real!

I agree, this could be the lowest attended season since moving indoors. I am more likely to attend an away game at UNC or in California etc. than come to GF to see the crap on this year's schedule. You do not attract a crowd with second rate performance in any entertainment media.

Whoops! Just realized I had the wrong school in saying Black Hills, meant to say SD Tech. Even worse, mostly engineers playing FB for a distraction. Come Brian, get to work, find some decent competition.

I do not have a problem with the D2 game, but would have rather played USD if available or a D2 from the area that could draw some fans i.e. UMD, SCSU, Augustana, or Mankato that would have some rivalry fan interest to it. Black Hills is not going to be a draw.

If these two guys turn out to be the 1 and 2 QB's after spring ball I can wait. I might also throw up.

Well said and I agree. I too have communicated with Maturi and he is pretty adamant that the name be retired. Playing Minnesota is not the end all be all of the sporting scene for UND, BUT it would surely help recruiting in the MSP area for all sports if the kids knew they were going to play at TCF, Williams Arena etc. in front of their families and friends. The MSP area is a hotbed for D1 BB players and UND has not been at all successful recruiting here. I truly love the Sioux name and have been a Sioux fan for over 60 years, but it is time to let it go for the benefit of the institution and move on. I do not know the details, but Faison was wrong in speaking as he did about the issue. He would have been better to have stayed quiet and let the thing play out. He should be a neutral party. Scheduling is a problem as evidenced by the FB schedule for the Fall and it is continually frustrating to see schools like USD, SDSU, and NDSU play regional Big 10 schools while UND spins their wheels. UND played the Gophers in the early 70's twice with a number of players from the MSP area starting most memorably on the O line. Joining the Big Sky is a big step, but the MSP area still needs a UND exposure for students and athletes.