Dustin
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Posts posted by Dustin
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Yeah, I know. I've been hoping that when we were elegible, we'd be good enough to host in the first couple years. I had long term goals!I believe this is the first year we could have hosted the Big Sky basketball tournament?
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I ABSOLUTELY hope that the Betty will be used. Otherwise, it is not home court advantage. I know it's the smallest of the three, but the team deserves their home floor.As long as the Big Sky Tournament is on the weekend before selection Sunday, it will always be the same weekend as the first round of the conference tournaments. I can't remember what the NCHC playoff format will be, but I assume that it will be a 3 game series for the first round and 4 teams advance to Minneapolis. The optimal place would be to have the tournament at the Ralph, but that would conflict with the first round hockey games (assuming we host, which is a very good chance year in and year out.
So I don't see how they can have it at the Ralph due to hockey potentially being in town. I don't see it being at the Betty either due to the same issue. Parking would be a nightmare. So the only logical place would be to have it at the Alerus. Not the most optimal place, but probably the only option.
A good problem to have if you ask me!!
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ESPN is the X-factor, though. In 2004, there wasn't a TV network controlling the schedule, albeit one game.Back in 2004, the DII North Central Regional Women's BB tournament was held at the BESC and the men's hockey team was at home the same weekend. So I think it could be done. Parking would be a @#$%^ though.
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On the Big Sky Championship manual http://bigskyconf.com/documents/2012/8/29/MBB.pdf it states "The host team shall always play the last game of the session." But right below there it also states "Starting times for all games shall be determined by the host institution and approved by the conference office, with ESPN setting the championship game time." Say if the BB team were playing the semi-final on Friday, it may be possible to AD to have UND's game start a couple hours before the hockey game (perhaps BB at 6pm, hockey at 8 pm), but then, if UND plays in the championship (where the time would be set by ESPN), hockey would have to be moved to Sunday. Perhaps Sat/Sun afternoon, with Monday night if necessary is the best solution. Would be an absolute great "problem" to have!Move the hockey games to Saturday afternoon, Sunday afternoon and game 3 on Monday nite if necessary.
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I have been hoping for this for a couple years now. If it's not the goal of the team and coaches, it should be, because I think it is attainable.Hosting the Big Sky Conference Tournament would be just awesome. I certainly hope we can get it done next season and accomplish that!
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SUU plays Monday at home, Thursday at UNC, and Saturday in Grand Forks. All the while, UND is off until next Saturday. We should have no excuse not to win against SUU and grab that No. 3 seed, which would be ideal for an extended postseason. BTW, are the Big Sky postseason games on Big Sky TV? I don't see why they wouldn't be, since they take place in a Big Sky venue, and since they're the most important games of the year.Not yet, SUU is still at 8-9 and can win out and jump us for the 3 seed due to head to head (they would be 2-0 against us). However, we for sure have a top 4 seed lock up as of tonight.
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Since we've already been alluding to next season (2013-14), it got me to thinking about how the athletic department would handle hosting a Big Sky basketball tournament and 1st round hockey playoffs on the same weekend, if that "problem" arose. I know the BB championship game time would be set by ESPN (currently Saturday night before Selection Sunday, @ 8 pm CT - it used to be mid-week like the Summit League, which would actually be better for UND's situation). Do you really think the AD would want games to overlap?
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Even playing for the Big Sky Championship should generate some really good interest for next year. I think that is a realistic goal for this team this year.Hopefully they can finish strong going into the BST. Obviously winning the tourney would be a long shot with Montana and Weber St. but it is certainly possible. Montana is missing some high end talent, and if the Sioux stay healthy it only takes one or two top notch games to get the finish they need. Like I said its a long shot, but it would be a blast to see these guys make it to the NCAA tourney. Go Sioux!
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I don't think Montana is a lock to host the tournament. IMO, UND's best chance to play in the Big Sky Championship game would be in Provo. UND would need to get the #3 seed, beat #6, and then beat a Cherry-less, Ward-less, played-the-day-before Montana team in the semifinals on a neutral court. Just for icing on the cake, the #4/5 winner upsets Weber St., and UND beats #4/5 winner, which again, would be on a neutral court.
Maybe not this year. But I'm pulling for a Grand Forks hosted Big Sky conference MBB tourney in 2014.-
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I think Jones has done a pretty good job with the juniors to get them to this point. While things may not always be as rosy as the early '90s D-II heyday that gets regaled on this site, this group will (hopefully) be team that makes Men's BB at UND relevant again. Since this group were Freshmen, they've gone from being a poor free throw shooting team to a good free throw shooting team. They've gone from a team that couldn't win on the road, to a team that can and does win on the road. They've gone from a team that was usually on the losing end of tight games to often on the winning end of tight games. While this year's team has the pieces to put together some post-season heroics, I think it's safe to say that next year is the year that we've been waiting for. With all the optimism surrounding this group of players since they arrived here, I am to the point now that I'm concerned about what happens when these guys graduate. With the exception of Quinton Hooker, I am not aware of any recruits that will advance the program as a whole past next season. Where Jones is really going to prove his mettle is putting together a team for 2014-15.Jones has done a remarkable job this year with all the adversity.
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If the hockey national title game was at 12 noon on a Saturday I'm sure the numbers would be much lower than the number they get in the primetime Saturday slot.
The fact the hockey national title game is NOT on at 12 noon on a Saturday (anymore) says something about D1 hockey being more popular than FCS football. But..........let's not get too hung up on the D1 hockey vs. FCS football debate, because we all would like to see UND playing the FCS title game before too long.
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Response from DirecTV after my sending an email to them:
"Thank you for writing about Midco Sports Network.
I understand that this channel is important to you. While we are unable to comment on future programming decisions, we are always reviewing our programming options to make sure we bring you the best possible TV experience. We value your opinions about our programming, so your comments have been forwarded to DIRECTV management. We often make changes based on customer feedback like yours."
Keep at it people!
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I think it is because it would not be broadcast on a "national" network. It just so happens that a DirecTV subscriber could add a sports package that includes regional networks like Midco (hopefully!!). Think of it as Fox Sports Dakota. Who knows, it may even be part of normal regional programming in this area, kind of like getting your local networks or Fox Sports North.How would Midco be able to show games nationally when CBS owns the rights to broadcast the NCHC games nationally?
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I call BS on this one. UND played Minnesota at the Xcel in last year's regional, and attendance was only 10,974.Oh yeah..hell sioux fans would fill the X on our own. Can we borrow that for a weekend regional?
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UPDATE: Another response: We will present to Dish and DirectTV for fall 2013, but I have to admit it’s a bit of a long shot!Just for the heck of it, I went to Midcontinent's website and asked this:
Is Midcontinent pursuing to get the Midco Sports Network available on more cable and/or satellite systems throughout the country?
Their response:
Midco Sports Network will be available for cable systems in the region to pick up starting in August 2013. We suggest that you contact your cable or satellite provider and voice your support of Midco Sports Net.
Our website should have updates beginning in August.
I've already contacted DirecTV even though I'm a Midco cable customer (I sometimes watch at my parents house in rural ND), and I suggest that all of you who watch on satellite do the same. The more they hear about Midco Sports Network, the better. What we really need is a UND grad in the marketing department at DirecTV!
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I can see it both ways: redshirt him to 'save' his eligibility for after next year's seniors are gone. But next years seniors are a good group, and Hooker deserves a chance to play with them. It seems like you can't have a bench too deep.This is an excellent question. It sounds like this kid is a very special player, and probably a bit of coup that North Dakota got him. But how many minutes are going to be available to him with seniors Webb, Anderson, Huff, and Schuler on the floor next year? I think I am hoping he redshirts and becomes the next Will Cherry of the Big Sky.
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Also, wouldn't SUU own the tiebreak over UND based on head-to-head?How do the tiebreakers work for seeding? Just curious because you have NAU over UNC when UNC just beat them (I don't remember what happened in their first game).
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Just for the heck of it, I went to Midcontinent's website and asked this:
Is Midcontinent pursuing to get the Midco Sports Network available on more cable and/or satellite systems throughout the country?
Their response:
Midco Sports Network will be available for cable systems in the region to pick up starting in August 2013. We suggest that you contact your cable or satellite provider and voice your support of Midco Sports Net.
Our website should have updates beginning in August.
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FrOne more question for Jayson:
Does CBS have the rights to air non-conference games, or only games between NCHC foes?
From what I understand from reading about this subject - Conference games only. When UND plays a non-conference game at home, it can be broadcast nationally. At this point, I don't know what network would do that since the contract with Fox College Sports will be expired. Something for the Athletic Department to work on, I guess. BTW, telecasts of other sports can be broadcast nationally, if a network to do so can be found. It really is too bad about the FCS deal, but maybe UND broadcasts didn't help their bottom line much. There must be some reason they wanted out.One more question for Jayson:
Does CBS have the rights to air non-conference games, or only games between NCHC foes?
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One of the problems that building a huge arena for hockey caused was a downturn in attendance for nearly everything else - not just UND sports, but Chester Fritz, etc. Now so many people can watch hockey in person, they either can't afford or choose not to attend other events that maybe they were accustomed to attending before 2001. On the other hand, it's been a while since there was much to cheer for besides the hockey team. I know it's been said a million times, but once the other sports put a product out that is worth watching, people will watch. Volleyball is a good example of that, as attendance has gone way up since Hardee has been here.
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Call me an optimist, but I think 4-2 (maybe even 5-1) to close out the season of Big Sky play is achievable. That would put our league record at 11-9 (or possibly 12-8, which sounds WAY better than 11-9 for some reason), and secure the #3 seed in the Big Sky tourney. I see us playing the Big Sky semi-final, which I would consider to be a succesful first year in the league. Anything beyond that would be a bonus, for sure.
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The state legislature got involved with the nickname issue (something that many of us wished never would have happened) in 2011. Becuase it was so controversial, when the the law requiring the name to stay was eventually repealed (and then re-instated, and then eventually voted out) part of the repeal was that the University let the issue of a new nickname rest untili 2015, a sort of cooling off period.
The NCAA doesn't care if we have a nickname or not, so long as it is not Indian related.
Since we can't have "Sioux" (or I should say, we risk our atheletic competetiveness with it), I think most fans are comfortable without a nickname right now.
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Excellent chance to create separation this week with Sac. St and N. Arizona at home. We've still got our eyes on you, S. Utah!
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I will be there! Hopefully some hockey fans in town for the Wisco series will show some love for the hoops.
Big Sky Scores, Stats, & Standings
in Men's Basketball
Posted
If Northern Arizona wins, the Lumberjacks will the No. 6 seed, and our opponent on Thursday. But, that will be a tough win to come by since they are playing in Missoula tonight. If NAU loses, which would be likely, there would be 3 teams at 8-12. If EWU also would happen to win (against Weber St.), there would be 4 teams at 8-12. Anybody know who holds the tiebreakers?