UND-FB-FAN

With the experience UND has returning (and it's not average experience; it's NCAA tourney experience), I would expect UND to make another run at the BSC tourney championship. Nothing is guaranteed, but UND should have the talent and definitely the experience now. If UND made it to the NCAA in 2018, I'd feel fairly good about Geno and the team performing very well and possibly getting a first round win (due to experience and new found composure).

Mental part of shooting free throws is certainly relevant. I would expect UND's continued experience in big games, particularly the game against Arizona in the NCAA tourney, will help UND be more focused at the line in big games to come. The two poor free throw shooting games from 2016-17 that stand out to me were both big, high pressure games: vs NDSU (packed Betty) and vs Arizona (over 16,000 in NCAA tourney). With more experience in big games, the players will be more capable of delivering under pressure.

Then recruit better FT shooting players. All comes back to coaching/recruiting, buddy. With that said, UND won several games this season due to free throw shooting and Jones deserves credit for that as his players obviously improved.

Defense optional. Arizona is going to score over 100 at this pace ... ouch! I knew the two 7 footers would be a challenge but this is far worse than I expected. UND needs to be willing to box out and get rebounds or else the struggles will continue. The Brian Jones' quote they brought up during the broadcast was somewhat disturbing: "Our defense will be fine but I don't know if we can score." Also, free throw shooting needs to improve; can't leave points out on the floor.

I did not.

Hired Utah high school band

I side with president Kennedy (and the majority of this country's DI ADs), but I suppose your understanding of academic and athletic leadership is superior.

I agree. That is UND's best lineup and chance.

Good. He should be displeased. I have a good feeling President Kennedy will move UND DI athletics in a positive direction by better prioritizing football and basketball at a true DI level.

Same old thing for hockey. They should take a backseat this weekend. UND and "ol' time hockey" are the butt of all jokes amongst people who realize football and basketball is where the potential really lies.

This piece of information establishes my point in that apparently others feel FB and MBB should be handled separately. We can argue about staffing specifics all we want, but ultimately UND should strive to expand and/or better prioritize its sports information employees. Thanks for doing the research.

Sure hope so. I like the upgrade to the helmet sign at the Alerus; keep making progress for the brand.

Agree to disagree. If there can be different SIDs for men's and women's hockey, then there should certainly be different SIDs for football and men's basketball. Perhaps Jayson should know where priorities lie among flagship U.S. colleges.

You're clearly focusing on interns as incapable for some reason; these jobs aren't untouchable. There are others within the department that could theoretically handle some different responsibilities, but clearly your opinion of the current untouchable state of UND athletics is impeccable. No need for changes or promotions because apparently a) the department is the class of all departments and b) there are no additional capable persons anywhere. Constructive criticism is meant to spur new ideas and, eventually, improvement; don't be so sensitive over the current state of affairs within the UND athletic department. Bottomline: UND should consider having separate SIDS for the two biggest NCAA sports (football and mbb) and achieving that internally appears to be more achievable.

Through the appropriate process, it happens all the time. It's one of the major draws to interning at an athletic department; also provides a pipeline for the university athletic department. Don't use hyperbole to prove a point - no one expects someone to move to the top after a month of work.

"Big schools" don't promote trainees? C'mon. All in all, Powell does a good job. UND's football signing day coverage and fall camp coverage remains some of the best in all of FCS.

Finances are always a factor, but not always the deciding factor. Dont be naive to the point where you think UND's assistant salary pool is now leading the conference. It isn't. Thus, there is yet plenty of work to do in that area; don't be complacent. Also, losing coaches is one thing but losing coaches to the same position of a conference rival is different. Please don't invest in sugarcoating. I do expect UND football to be fine in the end.

Correct. I never said to hire additional persons. Plenty of interns and assistants that could handle a promotion to be THE football SID or THE basketball SID.

Yes. There is plenty of fat to trim within the athletic department.

This is why the UND athletic dept. was looking forward to a new head mbb coach before the success of this season. Like others have mentioned, one tremendous season doesn't erase all faults.

UND needs an independent football SID and basketball SID. It would allow for greater exposure and growth, too.

I don't like this at all. UND needs to continue to look for ways to improve assistant coach salaries; it's an absolute must. I have a ton of respect for Coach Maurice - real nice guy - but this move within the conference is not real likeable. I hope UND pounds EWU in the Alerus this upcoming season. Go Hawks!

15 UND vs 2 Arizona

Extend Jones, give him a raise, and INCREASE THE PAY FOR HIS ASSISTANTS! Reaching this current feeling of UND pride (NCAA tourney appearance) should be the goal every single season; Jones has now shown he can get us there via the BSC so extend him. We'll eventually see how it goes in the Summit.

Big Sky Tournament Champs!! Time to go dancing! GO UND FIGHTING HAWKS!