ESPN Projections

[sioux24/7]

ESPN did some basketball projections and here is what they came up with http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9859613/projections-all-351-division-teams-college-basketball

UND lands at #197 while the Bison manage to land at #37,

[UND-FB-FAN]

An 160 spot differential? That's not right.

Thankfully this will be settled on the court.

[jdub27]

A lot of it will come down to health, the depth just isn't there on mid-major teams, especially senior heavy ones like UND/NDSU. We saw how UND looked last year when Brekke and Huff were out. NDSU struggled when Braun was hurt too. That being said, #37 vs #197 is a pretty big stretch.

[siouxfan512]

I know NDSU is supposed to be strong this year, but so is UND. My estimation is that when you start getting farther down the list it is all stat based and pretty innaccurate anyway. Plus the Bison have, at least, had some big wins and a tourney appearance in their recent history. This could be a huge year for UND ... alot of talent, plenty of players returning, and some big games to prove themselves.

No doubt that if this team plays to its potential it could be a tourney team. Could be the best UND/NDSU game in a while as well. Very much looking forward to the season starting, and I'm not typically a big basketball fan, but over the past few seasons UND has really got my interest.

[jdub27]

Per that list, after the Minnesota Morris game, UND's next 6 games are against the teams ranks 10-37-130-33-162-74. Lots of chances to make some noise.

NDSU has a pretty good schedule as well with games against teams that are ranked 42-51-26-7 (not all in a row).

NDSU will have four games plus an exhibition under their belt while UND will have only played two when they meet up. The UND game will be their 4th in 10 days with games in California-Fargo-Kalamzaoo and then Grand Forks.

[jdub27]

Not sure if this was posted elsewhere, but here is what ESPN's preview of UND said:

2012-13: 16-17 (12-8)

In-conference offense: 1.01 points per possession (6th)

In-conference defense: 1.01 points per possession (3rd)

In its first year in the Big Sky, North Dakota got better and better as 2012-13 went along. The team with no nickname started 1-4 before finishing 11-4 in conference play, then gave Weber State a huge scare in the semifinals of the Big Sky tournament. Brian Jones' team finally learned to win on the road, prevailing in their last three Big Sky away games -- which is significant because the team was 1-14 on the road the previous season.

The biggest reason to hope that North Dakota can make the NCAA tournament in just its second year of eligibility is senior Troy Huff. Simply put, he is the most breathtaking player in the conference, capable of making athletic plays unlike anyone else. Last season, he averaged 19.2 PPG and 6.9 RPG, with an improved jumper a big part of the equation. He dominated the ball (using 31.3 percent of their possessions), but also took good care of it, with a low 13.2 turnover rate. Huff contributes on defense too, as he led the Big Sky in steal percentage.

Huff doesn't have to do it alone, however. Guard Aaron Anderson emerged last year as one of the best offensive players in the conference, finishing with a 118.8 offensive rating. He's an excellent outside shooter who also shows a talent for getting to the charity stripe.

The wild card here could be forward Jaron Nash. He sat out last year after transferring from Texas Tech; he has the athleticism that will further allow UND to get up and down the court, if so desired (Jones' men played at the fourth-fastest pace in the conference last year). It's possible that this rotation's top seven players will be seniors, so the time is now if UND wants to make some noise.

Projected 2013-14 conference finish: 2nd

[darell1976]

ESPN did some basketball projections and here is what they came up with http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9859613/projections-all-351-division-teams-college-basketball

UND lands at #197 while the Bison manage to land at #37,

I am sure BV will take this and compare NDSU to a Duke, North Carolina, and Kansas. Bison still have to deal with SDSU and now Denver in their tiny, soon to lose an auto bid, conference. Going to the dance won't be a sure thing for them no matter how ESPN will pump FU's chest.