NDSU is Good at Basketball Too

[Cledus]

They're the leading independent team. And we all know about their football team.

Is there anything they do poorly? Or are they hoarding all the world's hot chicks to boot?

*sigh*

[BelgradeBobcat]

They have a special affinity for beating Wisconsin teams. The UW Badgers last year and Marquette this season (when both were in the Top 20).

My guess: Their coach is headed for the big time-somewhere.

[catatac]

They're the leading independent team. And we all know about their football team.

Is there anything they do poorly? Or are they hoarding all the world's hot chicks to boot?

*sigh*

Actually - yes... the scenery around Fargo has always been very good the few times I've been there... Fargo? - Didn't they see the movie?

[tcbison]

They're the leading independent team. And we all know about their football team.

Is there anything they do poorly? Or are they hoarding all the world's hot chicks to boot?

*sigh*

Bison fans would have to admit that the men's basketball program has far exceeded expectations. Coach Miles has done a terrific job recruiting. Looking forward to Mid-Con play next year and then trying to make the Big Dance in 2009.

[WYOBISONMAN]

We do need to develop depth off the bench. That has been killing us in big games this year......

[grizzh8r]

Check out their "non-conference" schedule!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2449

They played 2 good Big 12 teams and barely lost to both (TTU by 4 and KSU by 2).

They played a very good Big East team (Marquette) and beat them on their home court.

The funny thing is, they lost by 14 to a BAD Big 10 team (Minnesota).

How is it they can schedule these schools, and the best we can do is Pac 10 cellar-dweller OSU? NDSU don't even have a conference!

[tcbison]

Check out their "non-conference" schedule!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2449

They played 2 good Big 12 teams and barely lost to both (TTU by 4 and KSU by 2).

They played a very good Big East team (Marquette) and beat them on their home court.

The funny thing is, they lost by 14 to a BAD Big 10 team (Minnesota).

How is it they can schedule these schools, and the best we can do is Pac 10 cellar-dweller OSU? NDSU don't even have a conference!

NDSU does have some good contacts with some of these schools. The former head coach of NDSU is good friends with Bobby Knight, a couple of their assistant coaches are from Wisconsin as well. The Iowa State head basketball coach was the head coach at NDSU about 6 years ago.

NDSU's team has a lot of Minnesotan on the roster and when they play the Gophers they have their worst game of the year.

[bozbobcat]

I saw NDSU has won 20 games this season. Is that going to be good enough for an NIT bid? I also saw that Utah Valley has 22 wins and they could be an NIT team as well. I'm not sure what the selection criteria for the NIT is, but I'd think NDSU and Utah Valley could be NIT teams.

[grizzh8r]

I saw NDSU has won 20 games this season. Is that going to be good enough for an NIT bid? I also saw that Utah Valley has 22 wins and they could be an NIT team as well. I'm not sure what the selection criteria for the NIT is, but I'd think NDSU and Utah Valley could be NIT teams.

I thought about that too, recently. They definately deserve a shot at a bid.

[89rabbit]

Very long shot (really no chance at all) for either Utah Valley or NDSU to make the NIT.

However, looks like the SDSU Women have a real chance to get an invite from the WNIT (would be the first time EVER that a transitional team got an invite):

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentin ... 845368.htm

South Dakota State in position for a WNIT bid

WAYNE ORTMAN
Associated Press

BROOKINGS, S.D. - In the NCAA nowhere land called transition, the women's basketball program at South Dakota State University has clearly marked the path to its new home.

This team with a can-do attitude and one senior has raised eyebrows among NCAA Division I opponents, running up a 23-5 record in a strong schedule, drawing national poll votes last fall and awaiting a possible call from the Women's National Invitational Tournament.

Stuck in a four-year transition period between Division II and Division I classification, the WNIT is the only hope left for a team that has played - and beaten - top 25 teams but won't be eligible for the NCAA tournament until spring 2009.

"They're doing what they need to do to make a case for themselves in the tournament," said Renee Carlson, assistant director of the WNIT, which will announce the tournament field on Monday. . . .

The expansion from a 40-team WNIT field to 48 teams this year improves South Dakota State's chances at an at-large bid and the first tournament appearance by a team in transition.

"You don't see teams coming out of transition near as successful as they have been," said the WNIT's Carlson. "Usually they struggle for quite a number of years before they have a winning record ..."

Teams from 31 Division I conferences are assured a spot in the WNIT. Another 17 are at-large picks based on criteria that includes records and strength of schedule.

SDSU was ranked 45th among 335 Division I teams in the latest Rating Percentage Index used by the NCAA. Five teams it played - Middle Tennessee State, Baylor, Missouri, Marquette and Western Kentucky - were ranked higher.

"Our strength of schedule early on opened a lot of people's eyes to what we're all about," said Johnston, in the seventh year of his first head coaching job.

The Jackrabbits opened the season with a 72-61 road victory over Middle Tennessee State, ranked 16th this week. They followed with a 67-63 home win over Southern Cal, ranked 19th at the time, and later beat Southern Illinois, a recent honorable mention team. They've beaten Virginia, Kansas, Colorado and Alabama while losing to No. 18 Baylor by 18 points and to No. 21 Marquette by 17. . . . (read more)