See this is debatable, the only reason they would come knocking on UND's door is because they believe we will move the needle for the conference and bring in more ticket sales and eyeballs for the away games. I mean look at the Minnesota game it was probably their biggest regular season game of the year.
I might throw SCSU in there because they have been competitive the last few years so I look forward to those games. Mankato would just be another game and is just a bad team in general and would be another pushover in the league.
Because we have the opportunity to make alot more money in the Big 10 than we are currently with the NCHC. On top of that to be associated with the Big 10 and the likes of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc. is a net positive.
The money issue is the only one I see as a problem. That is a pretty hefty lump of change for leaving the NCHC. If the Big Ten wants us bad eneought they would pay the exit fee though. As far as being Villians for destroying the NCHC. Who cares if we are doing what is best for the program and future. We already got Vilified for killing the WCHA and creating the NCHC.
Edi
I would love to have Michigan on a regular basis. We don't play them much but it is a good time when we do. Also miss the Wiski games they were pretty fun as well.
27,000 is crazy but I would say 10,000 easy. There were alot more people I talked to trying to get tickets that had no interest in NYC. On top of that there will always be a good crowd against the gophers.