UND-FB-FAN

Everything you say consists of pessimism. First it was Brian Jones is a great coach that isn't going anywhere. Then it was Brian Jones may get fired, but it won't be until the end of the season if he does. Now, you're implying Jones may get the axe but you're also saying UND is a lowly destination that won't be able to hire any quality replacements because of low RPI and a low projected salary. Quite frankly, with that track record, I don't think UND men's basketball fans have to worry too much about what you're saying.

My train of thought is simple: UND is coming off a 7-4 season (3-game winning streak) with most of that team returning (save for the interior offensive line and Will Ratelle, he will be missed); UND should expect to win every game they play in because of who UND has returning and, also, the relatively average level of competition on the schedule. Lastly, UND should be confident and play to win the Big Sky Conference in 2016 and every season after that; fortunately, that is the mindset that Bubba has begun to establish for UND football.

I expect UND to start the season 3-0, although a loss at Bowling Green and starting 2-1 wouldn't hurt the Big Sky Conference championship aspirations that the 2016 squad should have. Let's remember, Bowling Green is in the MAC, not the Big 10 or PAC 12; I expect UND to at least play them close if not win.

Looks like a clown, in my opinion. It's just too excessive and, most importantly, ineffective. He does that while the opposing coach is sitting down with a 20-point lead.

Upsetting part is there are more losses that could arguably be top 10, as well. Jones has worn out his welcome. I would love to get excited about UND men's basketball again...

Brian Faison has actually done an okay job, primarily via the hire of Bubba/increase of football coaching salary pool, funding HPC phase I (need phase II though), and securing Big Sky Conference and NCHC affiliation. With that said, UND needs more energy and vision out of the athletic director position. Faison is a bit too complacent for my liking. Jones for men's basketball should be gone by now, Mussman's dismissal shouldn't have taken so long, and HPC Phase II needs to get completed sooner rather than later, among other things. Someone like Purpur would bring tremendous energy, which is what UND athletics needs for leadership and fund raising.

Agree. Would be a great athletic director.

Would like to see him back at UND in some role; however, I can't imagine there's a football staff position open for him. Administrative?

I didn't make the comment that NDSU has a mediocre rushing game, although I'm not quite sure what that means? What's the cutoff from a mediocre running game to a good running game? Hard to say anything NDSU does is mediocre, although a clutch passing game with Mr.Stick at QB could be one area; will have to wait for a close playoff game to determine that. Nevertheless, you need to just settle down. If you don't like what UND fans are saying, don't listen/read it. This is a UND board. You can go to the NDSU board if you want to gloat about the great bison football team.

Hard to say NDSU has a way better rushing game than UND when you look at the stats from the entire regular season. The thing is, NDSU has a better passing game, or at least they did with Wentz playing QB. That was the difference in the head-to-head matchup early in the season, when UND's passing game was still struggling some. UND improved their passing game as Studsrud became more comfortable and Clive Georges returned to the lineup. NDSU: Average Per Game Rushing 244.0 Average Per Game Passing 207.3UND: Average Per Game Rushing 240.5 Average Per Game Passing 140.9

In the beginning of the season, UND beat Drake by just 3 points and a horrible UC Davis team by just 7. At the end of the season, they beat their last two opponents by an average of 4 touchdowns (27.5 point differential). UND was just playing better. Northern Colorado beat Portland State and finished the season 6-5; they weren't very good but they weren't horrible either. Cal Poly beat Montana the week right after Montana beat NDSU; plus, the Cal Poly game was on the road. Point is, UND was playing very good football - in all three phases - to end the regular season.

It's very different to be a freshmen or sophomore in the rotation versus a freshman or sophomore who starts and has to hold down their spot the entire game. NDSU had and still has way more "big game" experience than UND's young team did. My comment was based on the simple fact that UND was a way better team at the end of the 2015 season (3 game winning streak) versus the beginning of the season when they played NDSU. UND started a true sophomore QB, a redshirt freshman WR, and a true freshman running back against NDSU. Also, UND had at least 4 true sophomores starting on defense. NDSU started a senior QB coming off a national championship winning season, as well as a 6th year WR and veteran offensive line. Without going through the entire starting lineup, the point is UND was starting a tremendous amount of youth whereas NDSU was a veteran football team with valuable big game experience; there's no arguing that. So, to get back to the reason I even brought up youth and experience, UND's true freshman RB and true sophomore QB - among many other underclassmen - improved tremendously from Week 3 (when they played NDSU) to the last three weeks of the regular season, when they led a three game winning streak. They deserved to be in the playoffs based solely on their resume. Lastly, to think the UND team that played NDSU in week 3 was the same UND team at the end of the season is just foolish. Player development and coaching/teaching is a real thing, believe it or not NDSU fans.

UND deserved to be in the playoffs this season. They ended the season on a 3-game winning streak, won 7 DI games, beat a ranked/seeded FCS playoff team on the road, and beat an FBS team. Also, UND played a lot of freshmen and sophomores, unlike NDSU. As a result, UND was a way better football team at the end of the season compared to early in the season when UND played NDSU. If you can't understand basic team progression, then stop commenting on this site; your trolling attempts are too obvious because you can't rationalize anything if it promotes UND (even independently of NDSU). UND was a better team on the field and on paper relative to New Hampshire and Eastern Illinois (also, argument could be made against Western Illinois). Point is, UND should've been in the playoffs. If you can't understand that by analyzing the schedules, rosters, circumstances (injuries), and results from today's FCS playoff Round I, then, again, you have no business commenting on this site. You're just piggybacking off of the FCS playoff selection committee's ridiculous decision, and yet, somehow, that makes you feel superior. Good for you, NDSU Class of 2011. UND is improving year after year under the tutelage of Bubba. I could care less about NDSU right now because I know UND will be better in 2016 than they were in 2015. Soon, very soon, UND will be winning the Big Sky Conference and winning FCS playoff games, regardless of what NDSU does.

"worst team" ??? Those kind of outlandish statements are both wrong and hurtful in terms of your reputation. You are completely biased and bring NOTHING to the discussion.

Remember, a coach affects multiple student-athletes and the entire program; a good representative and leader does wonders for not only the program but for the entire university. Without question the hiring of a quality coach surpasses the possibility that a player leaves, especially if that player is too short-sighted to stick with the PROGRAM they committed to.

After awhile, you just have to ask yourself "Is Jones the best UND can do in terms of leadership for men's basketball?" Of course, the answer is no. Hopefully this has been dragged on due to financial/contract limitations and nothing more, because Brian Jones is not a good leader of men or a proper representative of UND athletics. Period. Obviously, the season must play itself out still, but my opinion of Jones has been the same for a few years now; he doesn't have the qualities. Time to move on, Mr. Faison.

UND has improved by 2 games each of Bubba's two seasons (2013 to 2014: 3-8 to 5-7; 2014 to 2015: 5-7 to 7-4). I definitely expect another 2 game improvement next season (9-2 or better), primarily due to the number of retuning players, improved depth, and quality offseason training in the HPC. NDSU dumbshits can gripe all they want, but I'm unbelievably proud of what Bubba has going on here at UND in such a short time. UND football is back and UND is definitely my favorite to win the Big Sky Conference in 2016.

Yes, that is the vision UND has for its football program. For many years in Divison II, UND was a top program. Now, after a few hiccup seasons, UND football is finally realizing its potential here in the FCS. Best of luck to Cal Poly next season, too.

The MAC rarely produces juggernaut football teams. UND's mindset definitely needs to be to win. Bowling Green will be losing more than UND will, so with that, I expect UND to compete and win.

The outlook for UND's offense will be completely different going into the 2016 season compared to the 2015 season. In August, most thought UND's offense would be anemic and ineffective; rather, it produced quite well and really exploded onto the scene the last three games of the season. With the starting QB, RB, WRs and 2/5 offensive linemen all returning, I expect UND's offense to be very efficient next season. Let's not forget that Studsrud can spend all winter season throwing to Clive Georges, Luke Stanley, Josh Seibel, Tim Dulin, Stetson Carr, Iwarri Smith etc. in the beautiful High Performance Center. Couple the duo of Santiago and Olivera in the backfield and UND's offense should be good. Knauf will have some work to do getting the interior line (guards and center) settled, but I think the players at those spots are already capable (Dan Bell, Demon Taylor, Grant Aplin, Matt Cox).

This is wrong. UND had only ONE bad loss (Idaho State). The other three loses all came to winning teams, including two FCS playoff teams (NDSU and Montana).

That conversation was littered with so much political correctness that there was nothing close to a true answer. Quite frankly, the NCAA FCS playoff selection committee just screwed up. UND has one bad loss to Idaho State; however, they had an FBS win and a road win against a seeded FCS team. Eastern Illinois had no wins against playoff teams and certainly no FBS wins. Western Illinois won only 6 games and lost handily to NDSU. UND didn't fare well against NDSU either (34-9), but they played far better than Western Illinois did (59-7!)

Bubba will do what's best for the team. Let's not forget, these young men (Bartels and Mollberg) were not recruited by Bubba. This whole scholarship situation is still fallout from the Mussman debacle. Nevertheless, I hope both of them stick around to add invaluable senior leadership.

Absolutely. Considering how close UND was to 9-2 (7-1) this season and who is returning, no reason UND shouldn't EXPECT to win 9 games in 2016 and win the Big Sky Conference. Of course, Bubba has made it clear that winning the conference is the goal each and every season. Its time the fans get on page with this and show up to the Alerus Center.

Offensive line is priority on offense, but there are several underclassmen that can step right in and play good football next season. At the two guard spots, I expect either Demon Taylor, Dan Bell, or Matt Cox to start. At center, look for either Matt Cox or Grant Aplin to start. The starting tackles return next season, LT AJ Stockwell and RT Elijah Grady. Now, even with that, depth is key. A couple more offensive linemen may be in the mix who aren't on the roster right now. Fortunately, the skill positions for next year will be returning, including possibly some additions via recruiting. As for defense, Bubba said this morning on the radio that the secondary and linebacker spots will be the focus (more safety and cornerback depth and a Will Ratelle replacement). I agree with this because the defensive line returns everybody next year; look for the defensive line to be top-notch next season.