NCAA Hockey 2020-2021 Season

[gopher6]

lets get started

[Jupiter]

Okay.... Now that this thread is clean. Have at it!

[Bonin21]

3 on 3 overtime is going to pass.

NHL style from now on. Straight to 5 minutes of 3 on 3, then for conference games and tournaments 3 player shootout. Of course now getting that win in regulation is much more important than before when you felt you had a chance to score in the first OT.

Next up, shrink Mariucci to be closer to NHL style, too.

[D2D]

Next up, shrink Mariucci to be closer to NHL style, too.

Lot easier (and a lot cheaper) to pass new OT procedures every year.

[thinkbui]

Don Lucia has officially been named the new CCHA commissioner:

EDIT: Just saw that it was already posted in another thread.

[Bertogliat]

Don Lucia has officially been named the new CCHA commissioner:

EDIT: Just saw that it was already posted in another thread.

I'll be curious how his opinions change on recruiting and the gentleman's agreement now that he's commissioner of CCHA rather than coach at the U.

[gopher6]

west side fish wrap says Lucia was 3 time national coach of the year, I know of 1 year
https://www.startribune.com/former-goph ... 571316702/

[Bertogliat]

west side fish wrap says Lucia was 3 time national coach of the year, I know of 1 year
https://www.startribune.com/former-goph ... 571316702/

He had one year at CC that was ridiculous.

I don’t even think he won the award in 2002. The Maine coach took the award that season.

[Slap Shot]

They might have meant WCHA coach of the year which he received 3x - twice at CC and once at UM.

[Steve MN]

west side fish wrap says Lucia was 3 time national coach of the year, I know of 1 year
https://www.startribune.com/former-goph ... 571316702/

He had one year at CC that was ridiculous.

I don’t even think he won the award in 2002. The Maine coach took the award that season.

1994 at CC was the only year Lucia won it.
https://ahcahockey.com/coty.php

[Bertogliat]

west side fish wrap says Lucia was 3 time national coach of the year, I know of 1 year
https://www.startribune.com/former-goph ... 571316702/

He had one year at CC that was ridiculous.

I don’t even think he won the award in 2002. The Maine coach took the award that season.

1994 at CC was the only year Lucia won it.
https://ahcahockey.com/coty.php

LOL, Herbie didn't win it despite 3 championships in 5 years.

[Steve MN]

west side fish wrap says Lucia was 3 time national coach of the year, I know of 1 year
https://www.startribune.com/former-goph ... 571316702/

He had one year at CC that was ridiculous.

I don’t even think he won the award in 2002. The Maine coach took the award that season.

1994 at CC was the only year Lucia won it.
https://ahcahockey.com/coty.php

LOL, Herbie didn't win it despite 3 championships in 5 years.

Forces one to wonder what the voting criteria are, doesn't it?

[Bertogliat]

west side fish wrap says Lucia was 3 time national coach of the year, I know of 1 year
https://www.startribune.com/former-goph ... 571316702/

He had one year at CC that was ridiculous.

I don’t even think he won the award in 2002. The Maine coach took the award that season.

1994 at CC was the only year Lucia won it.
https://ahcahockey.com/coty.php

LOL, Herbie didn't win it despite 3 championships in 5 years.

Forces one to wonder what the voting criteria are, doesn't it?

Sounds like he wasn't out to win popularity contents. Turns out he didn't.

[Vegoe]

https://www.therinklive.com/college/mav ... ing-career

Thought it makes so much sense for the CCHA, B10 and NCHC to use the same officials if possible. Only issue is that there can be some grudges built up if the same stripes tend to work only with certain teams.

[maddie]

the triumphant twitter return of @fakedonlucia might be the best news of 2020 thus far.....

[thinkbui]

tDon is still a master of "coach speak", so a lot of things he said was open-ended, and maybe I'm injecting my own thoughts, but it seemed to me that he's looking to run the new CCHA as though it's a continuation of the men's side of the WCHA, especially since he's going to run the CCHA from the Twin Cities for now. Sharing officials and other coordination with the women's side of the WCHA was in the context of COVID-19 and the consequences of that, but it does make a lot of sense to be in position to absorb whatever resources of the WCHA Men that he might want.

[frozen4champs]

There will be a major meltdown in Grand Forks if it gets cancelled.

[Slap Shot]

There will be a major meltdown in Grand Forks if it gets cancelled.

This might be just the Gopher fan in me but comes across extremely whiny and entitled.

[Bertogliat]

There will be a major meltdown in Grand Forks if it gets cancelled.

This might be just the Gopher fan in me but comes across extremely whiny and entitled.

Nah. No reason for both team to travel to TN to play in an empty stadium with what I assume is a hefty rental fee.

[Slap Shot]

The tweet alludes to possible limited fan attendance not an empty stadium. What are they going to do if similar restrictions apply during the season?

[Viking]

There will be a major meltdown in Grand Forks if it gets cancelled.

This might be just the Gopher fan in me but comes across extremely whiny and entitled.

Nah. No reason for both team to travel to TN to play in an empty stadium with what I assume is a hefty rental fee.

It's a fundraiser for the Hall of Fame. If no one can attend, there's no reason to play the game.

[Steve MN]

There will be a major meltdown in Grand Forks if it gets cancelled.

This might be just the Gopher fan in me but comes across extremely whiny and entitled.

Nah. No reason for both team to travel to TN to play in an empty stadium with what I assume is a hefty rental fee.

It's a fundraiser for the Hall of Fame. If no one can attend, there's no reason to play the game.

Agreed. While I find it difficult to defend UND on much of anything, just on general principles... in this particular situation, they're quite correct, if nobody can attend, the event is pretty meaningless.

[Vegoe]

This guy has lots of connections in college athletics and has called a number of UMN news ahead of time.

We shall see what happens in the year ahead, but it'd be entertaining to see his prognostication come true.

[thinkbui]

This guy has lots of connections in college athletics and has called a number of UMN news ahead of time.

We shall see what happens in the year ahead, but it'd be entertaining to see his prognostication come true.

Good if true. I still maintain that the BTHC needed 8 teams from the very beginning, so if an existing program with a strong history is indeed joining, I only see positives.

Hopefully it's true, though I'm curious as to who it might be. It'd be a pretty big disappointment if it turned out to be UAH, so maybe it's some from the old CCHA if Red Berenson is involved.

[Slap Shot]

It won't be UAH.

[Steve MN]

"traditional Hockey Program"... trying to decide who would fit the profile that's even vaguely close to a match for the B1G on the academic side.

[Rau4SkiUMah]

Just from looking at the comments on Greg Flugaur's tweet I saw speculation of possibly NoDak, Denver, BC, or even BU. I feel like the Boston schools are a stretch. The person commenting did mention the BC - Notre Dame rivalry, which would be cool to have in conference but there is no way they're going to split of the BC-BU rivalry. Denver I think could be a good fit. A little far for PSU, OSU and the Michigan schools but they would fit in hockey wise, they also have D1 lacrosse which could also play in the B1G and bolster that conference. Academically I think they could be a good fit and I would take Denver in a heartbeat. Obviously for Minnesota and even Wisconsin fans the ideal scenario would be if UND joined. Geographically it makes the most sense and I think they would fit in well with B1G hockey. The biggest hang up would be academics. It's definitely not a bad school but I don't think it's unfair of me to say that overall it's not on the same level as the majority of the B1G schools academically. But who knows, maybe Warren and Red make the plea to the conference and the big ten makes an exception. Fingers crossed, it'd be great to be in the same conference again. Also, selfishly I would love to see all of the north dakota fans heads explode when they have to join the big ten after giving us grief about it for the better part of a decade

[bearpaw28]

Just from looking at the comments on Greg Flugaur's tweet I saw speculation of possibly NoDak, Denver, BC, or even BU. I feel like the Boston schools are a stretch. The person commenting did mention the BC - Notre Dame rivalry, which would be cool to have in conference but there is no way they're going to split of the BC-BU rivalry. Denver I think could be a good fit. A little far for PSU, OSU and the Michigan schools but they would fit in hockey wise, they also have D1 lacrosse which could also play in the B1G and bolster that conference. Academically I think they could be a good fit and I would take Denver in a heartbeat. Obviously for Minnesota and even Wisconsin fans the ideal scenario would be if UND joined. Geographically it makes the most sense and I think they would fit in well with B1G hockey. The biggest hang up would be academics. It's definitely not a bad school but I don't think it's unfair of me to say that overall it's not on the same level as the majority of the B1G schools academically. But who knows, maybe Warren and Red make the plea to the conference and the big ten makes an exception. Fingers crossed, it'd be great to be in the same conference again. Also, selfishly I would love to see all of the north dakota fans heads explode when they have to join the big ten after giving us grief about it for the better part of a decade

LMAO...why on Gods Green Earth would North Dakota or Denver leave the NCHC (clearly “by the numbers” the top conference) in college hockey for the Big (aka mistake) Ten hockey conference? :

[Steve MN]

Other than the Ivy League schools, those 4 are the only ones that make sense at all, and I just have a hard time seeing any of them in the B1G. BC/BU would fit, other than I can't see either leaving Hockey East. Academically, DU is a much better fit for the B1G profile than UND.

While I agree on the angst from Whioux fans, I think I'd prefer DU.

[Sioux Suck]

Duluth is a power program within the larger umbrella of a B1G university system.

[Bonin21]

[Slap Shot]

Duluth is a power program within the larger umbrella of a B1G university system.

LMAO...why on Gods Green Earth would UMD leave the NCHC (clearly “by the numbers” the top conference) in college hockey for the Big (aka mistake) Ten hockey conference? :
-some ****head

[bearpaw28]

Duluth is a power program within the larger umbrella of a B1G university system.

LMAO...why on Gods Green Earth would UMD leave the NCHC (clearly “by the numbers” the top conference) in college hockey for the Big (aka mistake) Ten hockey conference? :
-some ****head

Huh? The fact the 3 time NCAA champs from the past decade would never leave the NCHC is simply too obvious to require elaboration for 99.9% of college hockey fans

[Slap Shot]

Duluth is a power program within the larger umbrella of a B1G university system.

LMAO...why on Gods Green Earth would UMD leave the NCHC (clearly “by the numbers” the top conference) in college hockey for the Big (aka mistake) Ten hockey conference? :
-some ****head

Huh? The fact the 3 time NCAA champs from the past decade would never leave the NCHC is simply too obvious to require elaboration for 99.9% of college hockey fans

[bearpaw28]

[Gopherguy05]

He hits a decent amount of football stuff but he hasn't been that great on hockey. He said North Dakota would be the Big Ten 8th team like 3 years ago.

He claims to have some source in the U athletic department, and was right on the timing of the hiring of PJ and the Pitino extention...so it's probably true.

[Gopherguy05]

He also said details would be coming 2 nights ago and as of just a minute ago he has not posted anything new on 247....so.

[frozen4champs]

Does he have info if Bobby Brink will transfer to the Gophers as well?

[thinkbui]

Maybe I'm just cynical after how badly the 2nd-4th years of the conference went after being told for years by folks from the two oven mitt states that it'd basically be the best thing since sliced bread, but this isn't exactly helping my skepticism that "traditional Hockey Program" isn't referring to UAH going back to their D-II days.

Though some of that may be self-inflicted. I used to joke that Wisco's desire to leave the WCHA had less to do with losing to Saint Cloud State and more to do with confusion as to why they couldn't find the Great State of Saint Cloud on any US map, but as we heard more about cultural problems including some that date back to before Mike Eaves ran them into the ground, I started to wonder.

[Rau4SkiUMah]

Sooo....are we going to actually hear anything?

[Bonin21]

Just like hearing every year about the other Big Ten schools starting hockey

[Gopherguy05]

Hes stalling on 247 saying he is waiting for one more nugget to drop. Dont get your hopes up.

[Butters Stotch]

.........maybe Illinois is going to start a program? (sarcasm).

[Rau4SkiUMah]

Hes stalling on 247 saying he is waiting for one more nugget to drop. Dont get your hopes up.

Is there a link? I'm having trouble finding what you are referring to?

[Rau4SkiUMah]

Maybe I'm just cynical after how badly the 2nd-4th years of the conference went after being told for years by folks from the two oven mitt states that it'd basically be the best thing since sliced bread, but this isn't exactly helping my skepticism that "traditional Hockey Program" isn't referring to UAH going back to their D-II days.

Though some of that may be self-inflicted. I used to joke that Wisco's desire to leave the WCHA had less to do with losing to Saint Cloud State and more to do with confusion as to why they couldn't find the Great State of Saint Cloud on any US map, but as we heard more about cultural problems including some that date back to before Mike Eaves ran them into the ground, I started to wonder.

Younger fan here with what's probably a dumb question. But Barry Alvarez help the push for Big Ten hockey, correct? Did Wisconsin as a whole have gripes with the WCHA? If so, what were they?

[SkiUMahLaw]

Maybe I'm just cynical after how badly the 2nd-4th years of the conference went after being told for years by folks from the two oven mitt states that it'd basically be the best thing since sliced bread, but this isn't exactly helping my skepticism that "traditional Hockey Program" isn't referring to UAH going back to their D-II days.

Though some of that may be self-inflicted. I used to joke that Wisco's desire to leave the WCHA had less to do with losing to Saint Cloud State and more to do with confusion as to why they couldn't find the Great State of Saint Cloud on any US map, but as we heard more about cultural problems including some that date back to before Mike Eaves ran them into the ground, I started to wonder.

Younger fan here with what's probably a dumb question. But Barry Alvarez help the push for Big Ten hockey, correct? Did Wisconsin as a whole have gripes with the WCHA? If so, what were they?

Alvarez believed that more Wisconsin fans would show if they were playing more familiar and broad-based schools. Playing Ohio State has a far better cachet than playing Mankato State, even though Mankato State has been a much better squad over the past 10 years. Before the B1G, he had threatened to make Bucky move to the CCHA so the BADgers would get annual games against Michigan, Sparty, Ohio State, and Notre Dame, and fans, eyeballs, exposure, and television revenues would follow. When Penn State started, he was able to force the issue on Minnesota.

Predictably, he was wrong about the exposure component.

[Rau4SkiUMah]

Maybe I'm just cynical after how badly the 2nd-4th years of the conference went after being told for years by folks from the two oven mitt states that it'd basically be the best thing since sliced bread, but this isn't exactly helping my skepticism that "traditional Hockey Program" isn't referring to UAH going back to their D-II days.

Though some of that may be self-inflicted. I used to joke that Wisco's desire to leave the WCHA had less to do with losing to Saint Cloud State and more to do with confusion as to why they couldn't find the Great State of Saint Cloud on any US map, but as we heard more about cultural problems including some that date back to before Mike Eaves ran them into the ground, I started to wonder.

Younger fan here with what's probably a dumb question. But Barry Alvarez help the push for Big Ten hockey, correct? Did Wisconsin as a whole have gripes with the WCHA? If so, what were they?

Alvarez believed that more Wisconsin fans would show if they were playing more familiar and broad-based schools. Playing Ohio State has a far better cachet than playing Mankato State, even though Mankato State has been a much better squad over the past 10 years. Before the B1G, he had threatened to make Bucky move to the CCHA so the BADgers would get annual games against Michigan, Sparty, Ohio State, and Notre Dame, and fans, eyeballs, exposure, and television revenues would follow. When Penn State started, he was able to force the issue on Minnesota.

Predictably, he was wrong about the exposure component.

Interesting. As if we needed another reason to dislike Wisconsin and Alvarez. How do Wisconsin hockey fans feel about the conference realignment? Obviously we know that at times they have attendance issues similar to us but is that because of the B1G or because they haven't been that good lately? Or like us, is it a combination of a lot of things?
Like all of us I look forward to the day, hopefully soon, when both programs are a top the national rankings and that rivalry is even more fierce.

[Slap Shot]

Hockey will rebound at Minnesota with respect to fan interest as soon as impacts from Covid are lessoned. You can just feel the program is building toward something.

[Bonin21]

As soon as? No, it'll still take years for the Big Ten to catch on at a WCHA level if it ever does. It's a slow climb.

[thinkbui]

Maybe I'm just cynical after how badly the 2nd-4th years of the conference went after being told for years by folks from the two oven mitt states that it'd basically be the best thing since sliced bread, but this isn't exactly helping my skepticism that "traditional Hockey Program" isn't referring to UAH going back to their D-II days.

Though some of that may be self-inflicted. I used to joke that Wisco's desire to leave the WCHA had less to do with losing to Saint Cloud State and more to do with confusion as to why they couldn't find the Great State of Saint Cloud on any US map, but as we heard more about cultural problems including some that date back to before Mike Eaves ran them into the ground, I started to wonder.

Younger fan here with what's probably a dumb question. But Barry Alvarez help the push for Big Ten hockey, correct? Did Wisconsin as a whole have gripes with the WCHA? If so, what were they?

Alvarez believed that more Wisconsin fans would show if they were playing more familiar and broad-based schools. Playing Ohio State has a far better cachet than playing Mankato State, even though Mankato State has been a much better squad over the past 10 years. Before the B1G, he had threatened to make Bucky move to the CCHA so the BADgers would get annual games against Michigan, Sparty, Ohio State, and Notre Dame, and fans, eyeballs, exposure, and television revenues would follow. When Penn State started, he was able to force the issue on Minnesota.

Predictably, he was wrong about the exposure component.

Interesting. As if we needed another reason to dislike Wisconsin and Alvarez. How do Wisconsin hockey fans feel about the conference realignment? Obviously we know that at times they have attendance issues similar to us but is that because of the B1G or because they haven't been that good lately? Or like us, is it a combination of a lot of things?
Like all of us I look forward to the day, hopefully soon, when both programs are a top the national rankings and that rivalry is even more fierce.

There was also a component, though probably lesser, where their casual fans, especially donors, got all upset about losing to little schools that don't have FBS football (i.e. where my joke about the State of Saint Cloud comes in) without realizing as casual fans that the college hockey landscape is very different. Before Don Lucia retired, you would have heard some of our fans b!tching about the championship game loss to Union. From what I understand, it was like that for Wisco after regular season losses and playing B1G teams either in the old CCHA or the BTHC was in part to get away from that.

[bearpaw28]

You can just feel the program is building toward something.

Yep, a winning record against the other MN teams (after 5-10 years) would be a good starting point.

[Rau4SkiUMah]

Looks like the Big Ten expansion article was finally posted to Gopher Illustrated this morning. It talks about how apparently North Dakota is up for grabs. With UND athletics somewhat financially unstable and commissioner Warren hell bent on expanding the hockey conference there is a chance that this could happen. Whether or not it actually does remains to be seen. According to the article the timeline we could see the process happen over the next year. Again, if the process happens. I'm personally all for it and I hope it works out

[SkiUMahLaw]

Looks like the Big Ten expansion article was finally posted to Gopher Illustrated this morning. It talks about how apparently North Dakota is up for grabs. With UND athletics somewhat financially unstable and commissioner Warren hell bent on expanding the hockey conference there is a chance that this could happen. Whether or not it actually does remains to be seen. According to the article the timeline we could see the process happen over the next year. Again, if the process happens. I'm personally all for it and I hope it works out

I'm not a GI member so I haven't read it. But based on the headline....

Color me skeptical.

UND's financial instability has nothing to do with the B1G. The B1G schools aren't going to step in merely to bail out UND, and while UND brings a competitiveness and rears in the seats in Minnesota, and maybe a little in Madison. I am not sure they bring anything else. The green horde won't travel to Ann Arbor or Columbus, and it isn't like they bring that much of a TV revenue driver-- if they did, the NCHC would have had a far better TV contract than they do.

Sure, UND would be happy to jump to the B1G-- it is a huge boost of credibility athletically and academically. But considering this rumor keeps coming up and Lou Nanne is on record of supporting it, yet nothing happens, I am not sure why now. With Illinois on the doorstep, and the other ND an affiliate member, if Illinois does show up, what happens? Do they boot UND? ND? Go with 9 schools?

Besides, there is nothing on SS.com about it. I would have thought their faithful would be all over it if there was any credence to the talk.

[Slap Shot]

Looks like the Big Ten expansion article was finally posted to Gopher Illustrated this morning. It talks about how apparently North Dakota is up for grabs. With UND athletics somewhat financially unstable and commissioner Warren hell bent on expanding the hockey conference there is a chance that this could happen. Whether or not it actually does remains to be seen. According to the article the timeline we could see the process happen over the next year. Again, if the process happens. I'm personally all for it and I hope it works out

You better get 'em bear!!

[Bonin21]

sounds like an article written just to get clicks

[gopher6]

Maybe I'm just cynical after how badly the 2nd-4th years of the conference went after being told for years by folks from the two oven mitt states that it'd basically be the best thing since sliced bread, but this isn't exactly helping my skepticism that "traditional Hockey Program" isn't referring



to UAH going back to their D-II days.

Though some of that may be self-inflicted. I used to joke that Wisco's desire to leave the WCHA had less to do with

losing to Saint Cloud State and more to do with confusion as to why they couldn't find the Great State of Saint Cloud on any US map, but as we heard more about cultural problems including some that date back to before Mike Eaves ran them into the ground, I started to wonder.

Younger fan here with what's probably a dumb question. But Barry Alvarez help the push for Big Ten hockey, correct? Did Wisconsin as a whole have gripes with the WCHA? If so, what were they?

Alvarez believed that more Wisconsin fans would show if they were playing more familiar and broad-based schools. Playing Ohio State has a far better cachet than playing Mankato State, even though Mankato State has been a much better squad over the past 10 years. Before the B1G, he had threatened to make Bucky move to the CCHA so the BADgers would get annual games against Michigan, Sparty, Ohio State, and Notre Dame, and fans, eyeballs, exposure, and television revenues would follow. When Penn State started, he was able to force the issue on Minnesota.

Predictably, he was wrong about the exposure component.

Interesting. As if we needed another reason to dislike Wisconsin and Alvarez. How do Wisconsin hockey fans feel about the conference realignment? Obviously we know that at times they have attendance issues similar to us but is that because of the B1G or because they haven't been that good lately? Or like us, is it a combination of a lot of things?
Like all of us I look forward to the day, hopefully soon, when both programs are a top the national rankings and that rivalry is even more fierce.

There was also a component, though probably lesser, where their casual fans, especially donors, got all upset about losing to little schools that don't have FBS football (i.e. where my joke about the State of Saint Cloud comes in) without realizing as casual fans that the college hockey landscape is very different. Before Don Lucia retired, you would have heard some of our fans b!tching about the championship game loss to Union. From what I understand, it was like that for Wisco after regular season losses and playing B1G teams either in the old CCHA or the BTHC was in part to get away from that.

If The Fighting Whioux is losing $ how will joining the B$G help it’s problems

[frozen4champs]

It is the yearly " who is joining the B1G 10" rumor mill. I will throw in my 2 cents, and I know nothing about what academic requirements are needed.
UND-- Could you imagine their fanbase if they join the B1G 10? "Well they needed US to make it work". As long as the Gophers play them every year or 2 is fine by me.
Duluth-- Makes the most sense for them to join. I don't care either way, but some of their fans are entering Whioux like levels.
The Boston schools-- Only makes sense if the B1G 10 wants to crack into a big city like they did with Rutgers.
Denver-- My 1st choice. Solid program, big city, fun road trip
CC -- Program is too up and down, and I don't see it.
OMAHA-- I thought they were in the mix before, new arena, but program is not a strong one.
AZ St-- Strong possibility, but does nothing for me.
St Thomas-- No.

Can't see any of the new CCHA schools jumping so soon.

[SiouxFanatic]

I don’t see any reason why an NCHC school(especially UND, Denver, and UMD) would leave for the B1G as an affiliate member. Might be able to convince WMU or Miami. I bet Miami would jump if they got help in paying the NCHC exit fee.

Other than liking the idea to be able to battle Minnesota and Wisconsin for conference supremacy again, the rest of the B1G means nothing to me. I didn’t like the realignment when it happened but the NCHC has been really entertaining and has exceeded my expectations.

I hope UND doesn’t consider moving to be honest. Got a good thing going in the NCHC.

[Bonin21]

How do you not care either way to UMD when they would clearly improve the conference and add more interest in the overall fanbase?

[J22]

This conversation reminds me of all the people that laughed at the thought that Motzko would ever leave a team like Cloud to take the Gophers job. If any team in the nacho was asked to join the Big10, they would break both ankles jumping ship.

[SiouxFanatic]

If any team in the nacho was asked to join the Big10, they would break both ankles jumping ship.

Probably right. Denver, UMD, and UND are the big fish in the NCHC. As affiliates, sure you’re in the B1G but you’d be third class. I don’t see the appeal of such a move.

[frozen4champs]

How do you not care either way to UMD when they would clearly improve the conference and add more interest in the overall fanbase?

Welcome to the internet, where people have different opinions. I really don't care who we play quite frankly (my opinion), and clearly doesn't align with yours, but that is ok. Winning will add more fan interest over who we play.(my opinion)

[bearpaw28]

If any team in the nacho was asked to join the BiG they would break both ankles jumping ship.

Probably right. Denver, UMD, and UND are the big fish in the NCHC. As affiliates, sure you’re in the B1G but you’d be third class. I don’t see the appeal of such a move.

And it’s no coincidence those 3 schools hold the last 4 NCAA titles & all were contenders to win it in 2020 (especially North Dakota & UMD). So while there would likely be financial benefits to being affiliate members of the BIG, it wouldn’t benefit any of those 3 schools from a competitive standpoint. And that’s exactly what’s befallen WI & MN since the breakup of the WCHA...with their postseason results speaking for themselves. The BIG hopefully adds Illinois (down the road) to reach the 8 school conference threshold & calls it a day.

[J22]

If any team in the nacho was asked to join the BiG they would break both ankles jumping ship.

Probably right. Denver, UMD, and UND are the big fish in the NCHC. As affiliates, sure you’re in the B1G but you’d be third class. I don’t see the appeal of such a move.

And it’s no coincidence those 3 schools hold the last 4 NCAA titles & all were contenders to win it in 2020 (especially North Dakota & UMD). So while there would likely be financial benefits to being affiliate members of the BIG, it wouldn’t benefit any of those 3 schools from a competitive standpoint. And that’s exactly what’s befallen WI & MN since the breakup of the WCHA...with their postseason results speaking for themselves. The BIG hopefully adds Illinois (down the road) to reach the 8 school conference threshold & calls it a day.

If one of UND, UMD, or Denver were to join the Big10, that would be enough to make the Big10 the better conference. If the Big10 wanted to add two of those teams, then the NCHC would most likely die.

[Gopherguy05]

From reading the post basically his argument is that North Dakota may be willing to throw away all that is good for them in the NCHC because their athletic program is pretty much broke and they would rather have the extra cash then be in charge. But ALL 14 Big ten Presidents would need to ok, not just the 6 hockey ones, and North Dakota is a significant step down in the typical academic profile the Big Ten had (insert your favorite nebraska joke here).

IF and it's a big if UND gets the ok, then UMD may be another potential target/have some mutual interest as well.

[SkiUMahLaw]

Again, this speculation ignores how close Illinois is to a hockey program. If Illinois adds, do they give whoever comes in the boot? I can't imagine they would want to go to 9 teams.

I have to think Arizona State is a better candidate realistically with their new arena. Easy to bring in for a scheduling arrangement, easy to connect with, easy to drop if/when Illinois adds hockey.

[Cowgirl]

If all this happens I hope we stop calling the conference the Big Ten. The Big Ten hasn’t really been a “big ten” for years anyways in any sport. If we are going to let just anybody in, especially schools with lower academic standards, then we shouldn’t be using the name anymore.
What really was the point of having to have the big ten conference if it was destined to be sullied with non Big Ten schools?

The only reason anything is done these days is to line someone’s pocketbook.

[Vegoe]

Again, this speculation ignores how close Illinois is to a hockey program. If Illinois adds, do they give whoever comes in the boot? I can't imagine they would want to go to 9 teams.

I have to think Arizona State is a better candidate realistically with their new arena. Easy to bring in for a scheduling arrangement, easy to connect with, easy to drop if/when Illinois adds hockey.

If Illinois came into the leagues, then maybe B10 would reach for UND and UMD.

[Slap Shot]

If any team in the nacho was asked to join the BiG they would break both ankles jumping ship.

Probably right. Denver, UMD, and UND are the big fish in the NCHC. As affiliates, sure you’re in the B1G but you’d be third class. I don’t see the appeal of such a move.

And it’s no coincidence those 3 schools hold the last 4 NCAA titles & all were contenders to win it in 2020 (especially North Dakota & UMD). So while there would likely be financial benefits to being affiliate members of the BIG, it wouldn’t benefit any of those 3 schools from a competitive standpoint. And that’s exactly what’s befallen WI & MN since the breakup of the WCHA...with their postseason results speaking for themselves. The BIG hopefully adds Illinois (down the road) to reach the 8 school conference threshold & calls it a day.

It is 100% short-sighted to claim the B1G wouldn't still offer a competitive challenge. UM is on the way back up, PSU, OSU and ND all provide legit competition and have for a handful of years, and MSU and UW are no worse than the bottom half of the NCHC. Also the conference they play in had nothing to do with the lack of talent on UW and UM the past few years and that is why they have struggled - not because they don't regularly play UND or Denver.

Nacho fans speak in absolutes and as if nothing ever changes. The WCHA wasn't the most dominant conference every year before realignment, with Hockey East often in the mix and occasionally the CCHA, and other schools won NCAA titles. Yeah for the Nacho they've dominated recently but only a fool would assume that will always be. The B1G started out very slowly but continues to gain momentum and casting it aside is myopic.

That said I doubt the B1G would take UND for academic reasons and Illinois makes much more sense. But if the B1G offered UND would jump and it's completely idiotic to think they wouldn't.

[Maize]

Does UND even have a student broadcast department?

[bearpaw28]

If any team in the nacho was asked to join the BiG they would break both ankles jumping ship.

Probably right. Denver, UMD, and UND are the big fish in the NCHC. As affiliates, sure you’re in the B1G but you’d be third class. I don’t see the appeal of such a move.

And it’s no coincidence those 3 schools hold the last 4 NCAA titles & all were contenders to win it in 2020 (especially North Dakota & UMD). So while there would likely be financial benefits to being affiliate members of the BIG, it wouldn’t benefit any of those 3 schools from a competitive standpoint. And that’s exactly what’s befallen WI & MN since the breakup of the WCHA...with their postseason results speaking for themselves. The BIG hopefully adds Illinois (down the road) to reach the 8 school conference threshold & calls it a day.

It is 100% short-sighted to claim the B1G wouldn't still offer a competitive challenge. UM is on the way back up, PSU, OSU and ND all provide legit competition and have for a handful of years, and MSU and UW are no worse than the bottom half of the NCHC. Also the conference they play in had nothing to do with the lack of talent on UW and UM the past few years and that is why they have struggled - not because they don't regularly play UND or Denver.

Nacho fans speak in absolutes and as if nothing ever changes. The WCHA wasn't the most dominant conference every year before realignment, with Hockey East often in the mix and occasionally the CCHA, and other schools won NCAA titles. Yeah for the Nacho they've dominated recently but only a fool would assume that will always be. The B1G started out very slowly but continues to gain momentum and casting it aside is myopic.

That said I doubt the B1G would take UND for academic reasons and Illinois makes much more sense. But if the B1G offered UND would jump and it's completely idiotic to think they wouldn't.

I’m not implying the NCHC will always be the dominant conference, they’re currently on top, but things do change. But, I give you credit SS for at least acknowledging the reality of the past 4-5 years (results on the ice) something most Gopher fans simply put their head in the sand about. As far as the potential for adding North Dakota as an affiliate member of the BIG, I gotta chuckle because my two sons both graduated from the U and the academic standards at the U are literally day vs night more stringent than those at North Dakota, so it would take a Fantastic Four cartoon, Mr Fantastic with the power to stretch...type of looking the other way at least “academically”...to even consider adding North Dakota as a BIG affiliate member

[Gopherguy05]

[frozen4champs]

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/ ... il-Jan.php

[MNGophers29]

Yeah, that’s a big blow right there. Might as well pack it in until next year.

[Bertogliat]

I knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier.

There aren't any TV shows being made. With no sports, we're going to be taking entertainment idea's from Charles Ingalls.