Dustin

Definitely pulling for Harvard after watching Duluth's crap.

Thinking of who I want to win it all - normally I cheer for the team that has never won it, or it's been a long time since they've won it. In that case, Notre Dame (never, lost championship game in '08) and Harvard (once, 1989) would be the most consistent with my rooting interests. Denver or Duluth would keep the championship in our conference, but I don't necessarily need reassurance that the NCHC is the best college hockey conference. Plus, a Denver win would put them tied with us again for number of championships, and a Duluth win doesn't give me warm fuzzies like it did in 2011. So, who is the champion that's most favorable to UND and/or college hockey as a whole?

Not sure I'm buying it. I don't think the Ralph draws numbers because of it being the Ralph. Maybe in 2001-03 timeframe, but not anymore. People pack the Ralph to cheer on the men's hockey team as they strive for national championships. The women's hockey didn't attract crowds because of the Ralph. Plus, even if attendance was the same, 3,300 in the Betty would be much better atmosphere than 3,300 in the Ralph. Like I said, prove that there are more than 3,300 basketball fans for every game, and then I'm for the basketball teams going big time in the Ralph.

Baby steps, baby steps. Prove that the team needs more than a 3,300 seat arena and go from there. when tickets to basketball games at the Betty are hard to come by, then I know it's time to move up. Even in a season with a Big Sky championship, the average attendance was 2,139, with a high of 2,870. Lots of room to grow the program and still use the Betty.

Thanks for the insight. Still can't hurt to pay assistants more, though, right?

Not saying you guys are wrong, but then why did he take the EWU position if it wasn't for his career?

Didn't he take the same position at Eastern Washington? I can't help but think a higher investment in Bubba's staff would have made that decision at least a little bit harder.

As for women's sports, I would love to see an aggressive move on volleyball. The Midwest is a great recruiting area for volleyball players, and I am convinced that UND could take volleyball to a top 50 RPI with regular NCAA tournament appearances and wins. For men's sports, it's obvious and well-documented (and well-discussed) that men's basketball needs a major upgrade. With the highest potential visibility that could be achieved at our university (March Madness), the possibilities are limitless. Take a look at schools like Butler and Gonzaga, who were virtually unknowns 20 years ago. Not saying we're gonna be in the Final Four 20 years from now, but by then if we don't have some NCAA tournament wins, I would be disappointed. Football seems to be on the right track, though losing a guy like Kevin Maurice tells me that work needs to be there too. Excited for things to come!

I know these numbers are available to any who wants to see them, but would be willing to do the run down of the other sports, as well? Specifically MH, MBB, WBB, FB, and VB?

Gotcha.

FWIW, Harvard is in the ECAC, not Hockey East.

After UND, I always cheer for the team that has never won it, or has been on a long drought. It would be cool to see Michigan Tech, Cornell, or Harvard claim a championship again. I'd have a tough time cheering for any of the Big10 teams, even though 2 of them have never done anything in hockey.

Thanks for the attendance updates. I didn't think about the fact that big 10 and big 12 schools would have a venue big enough to surpass 16k.

I believe I read attendance was 16,000 something. That should be largest crowd ever to witness a UND BB game, right? Coupled with the millions viewing at home, what a great showcase!

That was a goosebumps moment! I turned to my wife and said "This is fun!" Apart from that moment being the highlight of the night, the overall impression we gave the college basketball world that we belonged in the game and didn't embarrass ourselves was probably even more satisfying.

Watch big sky us frozen, so I may need to finish out the game here.

Can't find a free link anywhere - any suggestions? Can't get to the TV until after work.

Did a little research - The Twin Cities has never been a complete host. In both 1975 and 1982, multiple Minnesota cities hosted games, but also in both years, some games were held in Manitoba, and even Fargo (1975 only). So, there is a precedent for a multi-country host, which is the idea I wrote about yesterday, although it hasn't happened my lifetime (having been born later in 1982). Winnipeg (along with other cities in Manitoba) hosted the 1999 event.

Buffalo is close to Canadian markets, which drive attendance at this event. Mpls/SP has hosted in past, have they not?

Been thinking about this for a while now - but how about a MTS Centre (Winnipeg) and Ralph Engelstad joint bid for WJC? The two cities are closer than Montreal and Toronto. US could plays games in GF, Canada could play games in Winnipeg. Even if the semifinals/final would have to be in The Peg, it would be still awesome to have some WJC action back in GF. And I'd drive to Winnipeg to see the semis/final if the US were playing.

But yes, UND sports was the best part of 2016.

WBB did not win the Big Sky regular season or postseason. they did play in the WBI, and hosted 2 games in Grand Forks.

You win the internet! Laughing in hysterics here.

O happy day!

Final?