SiouxVolley

The B1G will never lower its dignity to select such schools. Could actually see the B1G offering both Ariz State and Alabama in hockey. They don't want the NCHC or WCHA getting ahold of them. A huge prize would be to offer Texas a spot: Austin seems primed for college hockey with many corporate offices. Homes games on the BTN for B1G teams, and away games on the SEC Network, PAC12 Network, or the Longhorn Network for the other teams. The B1G strategically wants Texas some day (and may be Kansas and Oklahoma), if they can break up the Big 12. Hockey can be a trial run.

That my well happen. But Airzona State will probably be a stronger program than Ohio St or even Wisconsin (of yeas past).

They don't want to share with little guys. They will gladly share with the rich PAC 12, who they shared the Rose Bowl for years. That's the essence of the P5, a rich U's club.

BTHC revenue isn't that much. The BTN network might see a slight blip in Phoenix signups. If the Big 10 already has two of their own schools that have informally committed to hockey private, that might be a problem. Johns Hopkins didn't seem to be a problem. ASU isn't AAU, but the Big 10 will stretch the rules if it makes money and sense.

Have a sneaking suspicion that the Pig 10 lands them. The B1G needs more teams, needs more conference games, and helps cement the pac-b1g relationship. r.l

President normally approve schools, not the commissioners. Robertson probably has authorization to talk with and offer west coast schools. Miami and WMU might blackmail ASU though, as they don't seem to want a league spread out that much. But their President may think differently than their fans.

UNO doesn't draw TV fans. Only one of their opponents drew.

Seems the WCHA is in a big push to add western teams. A four team west would save then a lot by limiting Alaska trips to once a year.

Strange that NDSU fans are so butthurt over that piece of hockey history. They hate the idea that UND has a conference history with those schools plus Minnie and Sconie.

Football had an established pecking order, and the MAC is far down the list. College hockey has a established pecking order, and the NCHC is around the top. Ohio St hasn't become a world beater. Miami is a far better program. How could that be? The Pig 10 isn't the top hockey league and the PAC12 or SEC won't be either. UND isn't afraid if USC or the Tide joining college hockey. You seem to be saying we should. Atlantic Hockey should be concerned and maybe the ECAC, but if schools in the Nacho keep spending it would all be good, while the Pac12 and SEC could approach the level of the ECAC.

So what if "brand-name" teams use us as stepping stones. The PIG 10 schools did, and we all benefitted. If an Ariz St or Alabama join the ranks of the NCHC, the tv contract instantly becomes more valuable and NCHC members will get a lot more acclaim from new college hockey fans. Michigan, Michigan St, and Notre Dame moved on a long time ago from the WCHA, but there stay is still remembered fondly by WCHA and now NCHC fans. If a USC or Stanford decided to start hockey, the NCHC would offer them, just like Arizona State. They may use us, but its not like basketball or football where every AD mostly thinks of themselves. People are interested in growing the game. If ASU joins and later leaves for a PAC12 league, NCHC teams are better for it and we will have gained a lot of visibility that we didn't have before. Its not like we are on ESPN every week. With college hockey expansion to big brand name schools, its possible they would even have a game of the week. Look at the bigger picture. This is an opportunity to go national in scope, instead of regional.

Terry Pegula, the new owner of the Bills in addition to the Sabres, is willing to "help" the Buffalo Bulls start a team. That would make four MAC schools. That might force an issue, because with two assoc member, the MAC could start their own autobid league and include it with their ESPN rights. Not saying it will happen, but I wouldn't bet against it. The six teams formerly from the WCHA could withdraw from the NCHC and start a new autobid league and join up with a couple of PAC 12 teams, so the MAC/NCHC doesn't have to wait two years for an autobid per NCAA rules. Everybody is happy as clams then.

A new casino ($140 mill worth) is going up west of Williston on Indian Trust land near Trenton. Turtle Mountain is the owner and is also the purveyor of its gambling and liquor licenses.

They already tried that. If you can't get rid of it, join'em. Think the South would go college hockey, if someone gave them a chance. Think Tennessee in Knoxville and SC in Columbia could be prime candidates. Georgia if they played in Gwinnett County (N Atlanta suburbs).

Alabama probably needs UAH for conference affiliation. Not that I think the Tide goes DI, but it could cause the CCHa to reappear with Miami, WMU, BGSU, UAH, maybe RMU and other Atlantic teams. Alabama wouldn't go to the WCHA or Atlantic Hockey, as those schools would be beneath their dignity. Most the NCHC wants two new western teams, but Miami and WMU want teams in their region or directly south. Schools like Iowa State, Milwaukee, or DePaul or even Notre Dame would satisfy all the league. Going further west or south and the NCHC would tear apart.

Tony is always the imperial wizards that you guys bow to. But guess what: Tony is intellectually and spiritually bankrupt. He only has power because he manages a web site.

So he's taking a bus with Somali immigrants? That will be the day.

I find it deplorable that NDSU grads sling along its land grant status constantly. You don't hear that from ISU, Wisconsin, Minny, Illinois etc. Just insecurity I guess, as they so want to be relevant. Noticed you didn't dare voice your opinion on turdvillle. Just a coward you are.

And you obviously could not get in.

There's an article in the Forum today that goes something like: athletics 1, academics 0. Bville is really in a huff over the bad treatment the media is giving them. But who's fault is that? King Bresiciani and his staff. They knew before the season started that ESPN wanted a game this Friday night. But they scheduled the graduation at the Fargodome disbelieving it would nappen. Contrary to Turdville, graduation is a big event for the family of some of the grads. Parents and grandparents, who paid the bills, want to connect with that moment, as what else to they have to connect with NDSU and their kid? Changing the venue and time four days before the even is like changing the time and venue of a wedding. Travel plans had already been made. NDSU should have scheduled three separate ceremonies earlier before the semester started. Of they could have scheduled the Civic Center or Scheels, but were too cheap to do that. If its money they want to save, they could have cleaned out one of the sheep barns and held the ceremonies there. A small percentage probably had a take a final earlier than scheduled, and that might have created enough havoc among some that they will not pass the class, and therefore not technically graduate. Shame on NDSU admin. They failed the people who paid the tuition for four or five years, and they just throw up their hands. Shame on Turdville. They just jump on peoples appearances no matter what the cause and bitch among themselves how FU football doesn't get the support it needs. Hey turdville, if you had just given donations to the BSA four or five years ago, this never would have happened so its your fault that this was even an issue. But you don't make enough and you're too chintzy, wanting Fargo taxpayers to foot the bill for new basketball digs. The NCAA and ESPN rules at most colleges, but not having an admin that forsees the possible conflicts is just plain ludicrous on their part. http://www.ndsu.edu/commencement/

The Bowl Season kicks off on Saturday. This year there are four new Bowls: the Bahamas Bowl, the Boca Raton Bowl, the Miami Beach Bowl, and the Camellia Bowl, with more joining next year. A lot of bowl games have new names too. http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/college-football-bowl-schedule.php

Beat FU! Here's where we can see the greatest improvement: Highest Brain Drain: 276. Grand Forks, ND 277. College Station, TX 278. West Layfayette, IN 279. Carbondale, IL 280. Bowling Green, OH More corporate jobs with the UAV industry would certainly help!

Recruits from JMU have been tweeting that they will be in the Sun Belt Conference. Maybe JMU's admin have agreed to hold their nose. The FCS power teams in attendance apparently don't see a reason to stay FCS.

The MAC has rejected them several to be. With Akron and Kent in NE Ohio, Youngstown St buys them absolutely nothing. YSU has an average entrance ACT of like 16 or 17. It's the school of last resort. That why Tressel can be president there.

The Sun Belt would be the only option. Pres Tressel wants FBS bad, to put YSU on the map.