UND-FB-FAN

If appreciable TV revenue becomes a part of the deal, then the MAC (FBS) would be a step up from the MVFC and UND should pursue. The relationship already in place with some of the schools via hockey should be entertained. Otherwise, from an on the field perspective, I agree; the MAC is essentially the same if not worse than the MVFC.

Paying over $4 million for the same setup (but marketed better resolution) is pretty generic and lazy in my opinion. If Daktronics or LucentHD, or whoever, gets the contract, they *should* be working with the city and Alerus Center staff (and UND) to enhance the atmosphere, not replicate it. Ribbon boards above the suites and/or covering more of the tin with video boards is a great start. Daktronics or LucentHD won’t be able to change the lack of natural light issue, but a contractor that can address that would be priceless. More natural light in the Alerus Center would be phenomenal for the atmosphere in my opinion …

Correct

Okay, some blame to go around (as has happened in the past with Alerus Center), but will this contract cancellation and open bid process really change the outcome in any meaningful positive way? Unfortunately, likely only will affect it in a negative way, but that is now the path we’re going down… and sure, laws are laws, albeit some ambiguity here. Hopefully the process is expedited and Daktronics is still appropriately awarded the contract and the opportunity to actually improve the situation inside the Alerus Center …

This is atrocious. I recommend writing to the Alerus Center and City of Grand Forks citing these concerns with hopes to still expedite the process for football season. Again, this is ridiculous. Yes, Alerus Center is city-owned, but it is also important we don’t relegate ourselves to elementary levels by employing only local businesses. We deserve top-notch state of the art technology, especially if trying to enhance our game-day atmosphere. Go with Daktronics. Get this done, do it right. As for LucentHD, strive to simply be better, maybe you’ll get offered in the future, and stop complaining. When it comes down to it, the City of Grand Forks and Alerus Center need to balance out fiscal and legal responsibility while actually enhancing the quality of the product (video boards and associated technology) being asked for.

Third time the charm? Often can be

Wouldn’t even make the top 100 for what the NDSU bozos do… Chuck will be fine. good kid and will make a huge impact in 2026.

Financially it will never make sense for an FBS to visit a FCS school. Fargo and the big heads would never agree to play in Grand Forks again anyways. Game will be only in Fargo or be on hold again for X number of years until UND goes FBS, which does need to happen in 3-5 years. In the meantime, start to (and need to) dominate the FCS.

No doubt many left for more money. But as we’ve seen around the country and even here at UND in other sports (hockey and football), players will stay despite $$ offers if you have the right plan and fit for them here. Tradition, culture and fit still matters some. The coach is very important in that plan. And having an NIL that is at least in the ballpark is also important. UND basketball doesn’t even have a trace of NIL right now and that needs to change or 3rd in the conference is the best we can all hope for … oh, and the coaching ….

Everyone knows about Treysen, but the other guys he’s lost didn’t go out and get big time dollars. There was also apparently a component of just wanting something different. I’ll admit, because it is true, that Sather is definitely not the only issue with UND basketball. The program needs way more support for the 1000th time. Lack of NIL for basketball is hurting as much as coaching, if not more.

Some of the lack of retention issues are due to Sather. So yes, Sather will remain, and so will mass departures after the players get to know their coach. I’d guess most if not all of the major contributors leave and UND MBB is once again starting over for 2026-2027…

You’re correct, unfortunately for UND MBB… but that doesn’t mean you settle for mediocrity and just hand out extensions like candy try find a diamond in the rough, up and comer young coach who will be the next superstar … who knows what happens doing this Chaves extension thing doesn’t look quite as good now as it did a couple weeks ago, and it didn’t look great then either

If you actually care about winning in this day and age, then yes, it is one of many head coaching responsibilities. Many coaches are getting out of the profession as such but it is in fact now one of the responsibilities if you want to be successful.

Ha!! one of the most accurate depictions on this site in recent memory good work @gfhockey

He needs more support, in terms of facilities, assistants, NIL (having better players always helps), but of course paying him more won’t make him a better coach. It’s a convenient excuse though for those who are buddy buddy with him … Results matter in this business. We went through the same issue with football and the inevitable outcome happened we all knew needed to happen 3+ years in advance. This feels like the same damn thing but now with basketball … good work, Chaves, you tool

You’ve eliminated results from a result-orientated line of work (as most work should be). That doesn’t allow for an accurate assessment. I appreciate the sentiment, but it is exactly the type of thinking that keeps programs mediocre and away from excellence. The UND men’s basketball (MBB) program needs more support ($), no question, but that additional support doesn’t change the characteristics of the individual. If you don’t change the culture up front, the culture will change you. It’s too far gone for Coach Sather - he’s a shell of himself. He got the money, but he won’t find major success at UND MBB, and UND MBB is locked into mediocrity for another 2-3 years. Wake me in 2028-2029 and maybe we can talk excitement with UND hoops then. In the meantime, I recommend you turn your attention to UND hockey and UND football. They’ve got the support and leaders you need to have a chance.

yup … only one … poor us someone please continue to provide the pity

With this logic you could have a 5-year-old on the bench coaching the guys …

It’s f**king awful this is unforgivable

honestly, there’s really only one way for UND to handle all of this: start kickin’ some ass Anyone. Anywhere. Anytime.

Fair predictions but I don’t agree. UND beats Nebraska and thus owns the FCS in ‘26. I’ve seen this story before. Ya’ll better get ready to go.

Choke job … ouch

Here’s to hoping Coach Sather takes the next step here at UND. I’m thinking he will … but he will require more support from UND administration and donors.

Ahh yes … good players and good coaching … and the title of this thread is … reality is in this day and age funds and facilities (mostly funds) drive acquisition of said players and coaches. Little different era now in college athletics than the D2 days of the Hyslop

Winning, environment, facilities all bring butts to the seats, not the other way around … hockey gets the butts because of the Ralph and winning (mostly the Ralph). Pure and Simple. Betty is underwhelming. Need new facility and wins to get the butts you speak of funding and facilities are hot topics for und basketball and need to be to help take und athletics to the next level Ag college of nd took und to the cleaners this year in both mens and women’s basketball … sad