fightingsioux4life

The problem is that some of our fans believe we will NEVER, EVER get to that level in FCS football and what's worse, they are fine and dandy with that. Which is disconcerting, because that is one of the big reasons we moved up in the first place. I think Bubba has bigger goals for this program than to just have a winning record every year. Bubba and his staff are working 24/7 to change the narrative around here. And they will. Believe that. Also, this talk of NDSU winning 10 straight titles is very premature. Nobody knows what will happen the next 5 years in FCS. You may have some emerging powers come up out of nowhere and be competitive in the postseason. Or maybe that long awaited shake-up in the structure of college football finally happens and the boundaries of FBS and FCS will change from what they have been for so long. Hang in there, my UND brethren, our time is coming. And all this waiting will make the taste of ultimate victory even sweeter.

No, it isn't "always the coach's fault"; nobody is saying that and I know I never have said it. Like I said, if what they did was so bad, suspend them for multiple games to drive the point home. But suspending them one game and then dragging this out who knows how long is not going to be productive for anyone. This is like Brad Berry cutting ice time for several key players for several weeks (many multiple NCHC games) over some off-ice incident. Be honest, how many people would be on here saying "good for him"? I say very few, most people would be in meltdown mode over it. But because we are talking about WBB and not Men's Hockey, the response is "good for him". Inconsistent, but that is what I have come to expect here. If this is what Brewster deems necessary to run the program the right way, then that is definitely his prerogative. But with that prerogative comes taking responsibility for the results, whether they be good or bad. He is making the decision to bench two starters to enforce discipline, then he has to own it. And yes, Brewster wants to win, obviously he knows this is a results-oriented profession. But sitting two of your best players and replacing them with freshmen will not yield the same results and he is kidding himself if he thinks it will. I am not arguing with the need to discipline these two players, I just don't understand the method Brewster is using to do it.

And he suspended them for one game. If that wasn't enough, he should have suspended them for two games (or three or whatever). But at some point, you have to move on and focus on winning basketball games. Give them a chance to learn from their mistake; if they do it again, make the discipline harsher. And if what they did was as horrible as it seems, he should just cut them. There is a place for discipline and accountability, but at some point you end up punishing the other players who weren't involved in whatever this is or was.

So Brewster is willing to tank an entire season to prove a point? You suspended them for one game, now it's time to focus on winning basketball games. Sorry Brewster, I have been one of your biggest backers, but if we tank a season because you are PO'ed at Loyd and Szabla about whatever, it is on YOU.

This is what I don't understand either. Unless they were shoplifting at Columbia Mall, they shouldn't be sitting out almost entire games when we are struggling to gain traction in conference play. What in the world is wrong with this team?

This team is on the edge of a total meltdown. They better pull out of this slump or they'll fall too far behind in the conference standings.

That is what keeps Mount Union on top.

I believe it is all academic and/or need-based. There are no athletic scholarships in D-III.

I honestly am surprised they allow intercollegiate athletics in the Ivy League at all.

I thought Murray did that to improve his NHL stock value. Anyway, I don't think most young hockey players aspire to play in Europe, it is usually a fall-back position for them. That is what I meant by "it didn't work out for him".

Is that the same league Brady Murray went to after his Sophomore year? Didn't work for him, maybe it will work for Matthews.

Bronze is better than nothing. Still, we need to get over the hump vs. Russia in games that really count.

I think the Swedes were demoralized by the loss to Finland.

Lots of deserving candidates this year.

Norv has been a little too conservative with Bridgewater; you have to let him play and learn from his mistakes.

I think everyone is overlooking Washington, they are playing well right now and could very well win.

We have way better results against Canada.

Well, all Russia has to do is park three guys in front of the net the entire game against Finland and they'll win gold. After all, it worked today.

Cripes, all the Russians are doing is camping three guys in front of the net and they are shutting us down. That has to change. Some serious net crashing needs to take place in the 3rd or it's hello Bronze medal game and hello Sweden.

I wouldn't want to play Seattle right now; they are peaking at the end of the year like always.

Well, they are still on holiday break, but your point is well taken.

I think Sweden might be the favorite right now.

Me and my girlfriend were there on Sunday in that bitter cold. That concourse was crowded. The sightlines are pretty good in that place. Next year, they'll be in U.S. Bank Stadium and I cannot wait to set foot into that place.

Well, when you have been mediocre to average in all of your major programs (except hockey) for years, it is hard to convince people to donate money to the athletic department. In order to generate excitement and passion in your programs, you need to have some sort of winning tradition. Other than hockey, what do they have to hang their hat on? Nothing.

1996-97 Season thru December 1996: O11 Alberta (Ex.) L 1-2 O18 Denver* W 3-2 OT O19 Denver* W 6-2 O25 Michigan Tech* W 7-3 O26 Michigan Tech* W 4-3 N1 Northern Michigan* W 3-2 N2 Northern Michigan* W 5-0 N8 Minnesota* L 2-3 N9 Minnesota* L 6-10 N15 St. Cloud State* L 2-5 N16 St. Cloud State* W 5-3 N22 Alaska Anchorage* L 2-3 N23 Alaska Anchorage* W 5-3 N29 Minnesota-Duluth* W 8-4 N30 Minnesota-Duluth* W 4-3 D6 Colorado College* T 5-5 OT D7 Colorado College* W 7-3 D27 Boston University W 6-4 D28 Boston University T 2-2 OT 12-4-2 in the first half for the 1996-97 team; the team that reestablished us as a league and national power.