SWSiouxMN

I would be stunned if the guy from EWU didn't get the job.

My brief thoughts on the playoff games: TEN/NE: Pats are circling the wagons after that damning report. The only way I see the Titans winning is in Mariota needs to be great and Henry need to gash the Pats D. I see only one of those things happening NE 34, TEN 17 JAX/PIT: Jags D is legit, Bortels is not. Steelers have a tendency of playing down to their opponent however, but I expect them to win this game. Close than the expect think however PIT 24, JAX 13 PHI/ATL: People are down on Philly, but they still have a great D and a solid run game. Atlanta has the swagger, but can they survive the cold? I'm taking the upset PHI 24, ATL 19 NO/MIN: People are high on the Saints, but the Vikings has the best D. US Bank will be electric and that gets the home team into the next round MIN 27 NO 20

After the disaster in Missoula, UND shook things up before the matchup against the Cats and looked better. Unfortunately, it still wasn't enough and ended in defeat against the undefeated Cats and kept UND from their first conference win. They look to turn the tide at home, taking on a team that they have never, ever, ever, ever have lost to at least in Big Sky play, the surprising Idaho State Bengals You know the old saying addition by subtraction? You could easily apply this to this team. Last year, there was a bit of a buzz in Poky with Ethan Telfair leading the team that maybe, they could sneak into the Big Sky title picture... well that didn't go so hot. They went 5-26 and was bounced in Day 1. Not much was expected this year, but a funny thing has happened... ISU doesn't look too shabby. They already own a road victory over Weber and held serve at home verses SUU/NAU. They know that this week will be a better test to see where they stack up and getting back to Poky with at least a split and a 4-1 record in conference play a third of the way through the conference season wouldn't be so bad. Since UND has joined the Big Sky, they are a perfect 10-0 against the Bengals, with a 5-0 record in Grand Forks Player to watch: Jared Stutzman SO 6'6 The UVU transfer has made his way back to his home state and has made a big impact for the Bengals. He has shot the ball very well from the field so far this season and has put up big numbers. Will be an interesting matchup against UNDs defense given his 6'6 size and more than likely be at the 3/4 spot. Things to watch: 1) Was UND starters from MSU a one off or a new lineup? I thought the line up that Jones threw against MSU was pretty good and for the most part was a different team than the one that went up against the Griz. Now will this be the new normal or was this just a wake-up call. 2) The emergence of Tray UND has been begging for another player to step up and give them production: Since the start of conference play, Tray Buchanan has delivered. Averaging 13.25 ppg in the first 4 games in conference play and is just shooting below 39% from beyond the arc from 3 in conference play. His overall season numbers still look low but a few more games like this will help with the overall numbers and will help this team going forward. 3) Where out thou Geno? Since his outburst against the Zags, Geno has been very quiet in Big Sky play so far, only averaging just above 10 points a game. He didn't have the greatest weekend up in Montana and if this team is going to make even a sense of a 2nd half run in conference play, Geno needs to step it up and get it going. Other games: (EWU/Idaho and SUU/NAU are playing each other on Saturday so they aren't playing Thursday) Weber (2-1) @ UNC (2-2) Weber got back on track by taking care of business against NAU/SUU over the weekend, while UNC couldn't quite get the job done getting swept out in Montana. This is still an important game for the pecking order, not getting too far behind the Montana schools and ISU, and the first round bye. UNC already has one big win over the preseason favorite Idaho, can they score another against another top preseason favorite? Or will Weber get a key road win on a tricky road trip to stay within striking distance of the Montanas Griz (4-0) @ Sac State (1-2) Despite their record, Sac State has proven they are going to be a pest all year long, so the Griz need to be careful going into Sacramento. The Griz know that survival of this weekend will lead to possible the biggest clash against the rival in quite some time. Cats (4-0) @ PSU (1-2) Portland went into Moscow and stole one away from the Vandals and are now looking to get back into the thick of the conference race by hopefully taking down the Cats. So far so good for MSU as they defended the home court against UND and UNC. Like the Griz, they know that if they get a sweep, the matchup at home verses the Griz will be the biggest basketball game in a long, long time. The call: I felt there was a few positive signs after the Cats win that could lead to bigger and better things for this team going forward. What they decide to do with it is up to them. This is a team that they have historically dominated, but this isn't the Bengals of old. Evans is a defensive oriented coach and will throw everything he's got at them. Being that this is at home and I think Jones will throw the exact same lineup as he did against MSU, I think UND will continue its dominance over the Bengals and break through with win #1 in conference play UND 79-77 I'm going road teams in the other 3: Cats, Griz, and Weebs

Much like Schafer will be forever blamed for the cutting of Music Therapy (Of course no one wants to put the true blame where it lies, the Dean of Arts and Sciences), Kennedy will be forever blamed for the cutting of Women's Hockey and certain fans/alumi will never forgive him, no matter what he does for the University.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/4385550-kellie-elliott-third-interview-und-athletic-director-post I'm glad you like the snow... but its not the snow that gets you from these North Dakota Winters.

http://www.undsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=211691944 Looks like another spot within the Athletic department will be open

Georgia gagged that one away, got too cute with that wildcat and cost them a title

On the Basketball side he hired Hayford who did alright: won a BSC title and made it to the NCAAs before heading off to Seattle U

I want the best person for the job that will keep UND Hockey and Volleyball at a high level and elevate the football and basketball programs.

MSU 79 UND 68 Final Tray led UND with 19 points Hall has 25 to pace MSU

This was a better effort but UND could have had this one with better play. I'd stick with this starting lineup tbh.

you know the sign of a star player who doesn't have confidence: misses the 3, then gets the rebound and passes on a open 3.

MSU 75 UND 67 :55 2nd

Tray is the only player that has come in from the last 2 recruiting classes that I have been impressed with consistently. (Haven't seen Moody and jury is out on Franken due to lack of minutes)

This team needs an overhaul: I can think of 3 people that shouldn't be on this team next year that is currently in this rotation

Yeah Tray might have taken a bad shot but dribbling the ball for 8 seconds down 9 with 2 to go isn't a great strategy either, need points TO UND MSU 72 UND 63 1:53 2nd

MSU 72 UND 62 2:34 2nd Going to need a spurt at the end here. Just too many little mistakes here that have prevented this one from being closer

Tray smacks a Trey TO UND MSU 66 UND 58 5:28 2nd Sticking Seales on Hall has worked out decently

MSU 64 UND 55 6 to go

makes them both, 62-55 Cats

I know he got the free throw but at least throw up a shot Walter, you never know what might happen

Walter will have FTs coming out of the media MSU 62 UND 53 6:55 2nd

TO MSU MSU 62 UND 51 9:05 2nd had some chances to extend their run but couldn't cash in.

Avants is battling his tail off in the 2nd half

5-0 UND run, Avants takes a charge and gets the wind knocked out of him