SWSiouxMN

UND gave it the old college try and nearly pulled off a big home win. However, it was too much Daum for their liking and SDSU was able to come away with the home win. UND will head down I-29 to take on in-state rival NDSU, who is trying to figure things out themselves. Things have not been going well for NDSU basketball program under Dave Richman, who exploded onto the scene with a surprising NCAA Tournament appearance and a Summit League Title in 2014-15. Since then, the program has dropped in its win total and has muddled in the middle of the Summit. Worse yet, they had a massive overhaul of their roster in which they have zero seniors. Richman knows that the pressure is starting to build as many in Fargo are not too pleased with the progression of the program, especially with the success down in Brookings. They know they have to turn it around and fast. Key Player: Tyson Ward (6'6 Junior) Could have went with a few players here but I went with the lanky 6'6 guard from Tampa. He has had a solid start to the Summit League play as he scored double figures in 4 of the first 5 games. He has done most of his damaged inside, taking less shots from 3 this season so far, but he has shown the capability of knocking a few down. Very good rebounder. X-Factor: Deng Geu (6'8 Junior) Deng continues to improve every year he has been in the program. He's playing around 20 minutes, but is nearly averaging 12 points in that time and 5.3 rebounds per game. He will shoot a 3 pointer every now and then but he will do most of his damage on the inside. Shooting 59% from the field Keys: 1) Attack NDSU defense 2) Get off to a good start 3) Lean on the seniors and Stewart to lead the way in the tough moments. Other games: Fort Wayne (4-1) @ WIU (1-5) ORU (4-2) @ DU (1-5) USD (2-3) @ Omaha (4-1) The Call: When this rivalry got started up again there has been trends in the results. First it was all the home teams winning, recently it has been the road teams. This is a must win for both teams to be honest as both teams needs to get some space away from the DU/WIU cellar. I'm making my pick for two reasons: I think UND is player better right now and I'm sticking with the road team trend for right now. UND 79-72 Reminder: Keep it clean everyone.

Recognized that we need the season thread for the women, so here we go. Here is the schedule that I have been able to find based on what we know and from Midco. <hope for accuracy> 11/21 @ Penn State 12/7 Milwaukee 1/9 Omaha 1/18 SDSU 1/20 @ NDSU 1/24 USD 2/3 @ Omaha 2/7 NDSU 2/9 @ SDSU 2/16 ORU 2/23 Denver

UND bounced back from a tough loss against Omaha by taking down Western Illinois, behind strong games from Stewart and Avants. Now UND will finish their 3 game homestand against perennial power and pre-season favorite SDSU. SDSU was picked as the prohibited favorite in the Summit and some expectations could have had SDSU running the Summit League table and perhaps getting an at-large if things went wrong in Sioux Falls. Well both those ideas went out the window. However, they are still the team to beat when push comes to shove. They have been the gold standard in the Summit. There is one thing that still is eluding the Jackrabbits: a few NCAA victories. With one of the best players in the mid majors in his last year, the heir apparent, and a in-state player blossoming to create a solid 3 headed monster, it might be the best chance of doing so... provided they get in of course. Key Player: Mike Daum This man needs no explanation, he has been the best player in the Summit League since his Sophomore Year. This guy can pretty much do it all and is once again averaging a double-double. He is coming off his best game in a while, where he went for 37 points and 8 rebounds. How UND decided to We will be interesting to see what he will be doing at the next level. How Tim Miles missed on him, we will never know. X-Factor: David Jenkins If you are looking for the post-Daum leader: here he is. He has built off his impressive freshman season with a superb sophomore season thus far. He is shooting it lights out from 3, 49.6% so far, and has provided a great secondary scoring punch thus far. Keys: 1) Pick your poison: How will UND defend SDSU? Will Jones go with the old: Let Daum score 40, stop everyone else or will he devise something to slow him down and hope everyone else does their jobs. 2) Got to get the breaks: If UND wants to walk away with this, they need to scrap for every loose ball, take advantage of 2nd chance opportunities, win every 50-50 rebound and loose ball, and they have to hit the big shots 3) Come out swinging: UND needs to throw the first punch and needs to come out flying. This needs to be the best start they have had this season. Other game: NDSU (2-2) @ DU (0-5) The Call: As much as I want to pick UND and have them produce a big upset. The three headed monster that SDSU employs will be far too much SDSU 90-75

What if Marlon had started the season eligible, this team is way better with him involved.

He's got some characteristics to be desired, but if he had a little more luck on the injury front and the NCAA not pulling a screwjob he might have 2 or 3 visits to the dance instead of one.

Wait, I thought they were only a "tweak" away

Here's the other thing: Where does this leave the golf program? There is now an $150,000 elephant in the room, and this one is from the conference perspective.

This needs to be a home-run class

What if he turns out to be a semi-decent assistant who not only can coach up the bigs but can do what UND desperately needs to resume doing: recruiting in MN, especially in the Twin Cities. If Jones had a major issue with Shanks leaving, would he have been okay with him coming back as a coach?

Despite another decent performance from UND, an Omaha 3 with 7 seconds to go spoiled the performance and left another close game opportunity slip away. UND looks to regroup today against WIU. Western Illinois is coached by Billy Wright, who is in his 5th year of coaching at Western Illinois. His record currently is 44-84 and 15-51 in the Summit. The Leathernecks have been struggling in recent years in the Summit and this years appears to be trending the same way. They do have a couple of nice pieces to build around but they just haven't been able to take the next step yet. Key Players: Kobe Webster (6'0 Sophomore) and Issac Johnson (6'5 Sophomore) The Sophomore Guards are a great 1-2 punch for the Leathernecks. They both do different things. Webster is your traditional point guard. He will drive and get up shots and will dish the ball when necessary. Johnson is a bigger guard that uses his size to his advantage. He will step out and take the 3 but would rather use his size as his advantage. Keys for UND 1) Let the Omaha game go 2) Jump on them early 3) Keep hitting outside shots 4) Get back to good rebounding Other games: ORU (3-1) @ SDSU (3-1) The call: UND needs to win this one: This is a must win. They cannot continue to lose home conference games. DU is not going to keep losing and will be back. I think they will bounce back and get the win. UND 81-71

I noticed there was a tall addition to the coaching staff

UND 71 WIU 65 Final

Seales with the dagger 3

Rebraca, Stewart and Seales all clanged their free throws I don't get it. Why can't this squad make them when they matter?

UND 68 WIU 65 :41 seconds

free throws are rearing their ugly heads again

UND 68 WIU 60 1:39 2nd

UND 66 WIU 58 2:21 2nd TO und

2nd half shooting WIU shooting 28% UND shooting 65% but 10 turnovers this half by UND. Finish this

Marlon again 66-58 UND TO WIU

Steal and layup by Marlon, he is having a good night scoring. Its been coming for a while 64-58 UND

Huge 3 by Brown 62-58 UND

little ragged right now for UND 57-56 UND

53-49 UND under 12 media

UND pulls in front 51-47 UND