In addition to the new, weekly post about pro athletes from the university, which included some lightly reported breaking news about one of the most recent pros, there was about as much news this week as there will be until 🏀 season is underway.
The week started with the coaches polls for men's and women's hoops being released. Year two of the Jory Collins era starts with a fifth-place prediction but not surprisingly, none of the players were included in the preseason all-conference team. It'll happen eventually if year one was any indication, but the ladies will have to earn it. As for the two-time league champs, they were predicted to come in third while Rocky Kreuser was the only member of the 11-man all-conference. It's a little bit disrespectful, but goes to show the importance of the guy's who aren't around anymore.
The men's team also dropped a few more play dates. On December 5 they'll be visiting one of the sports cathedrals to face the Jayhawks. Coach Richman announced that it would be the first of two games between the teams, the second of which will be next year or the year after. It's unfortunate that we'll have to wait to visit Phog Allen Fieldhouse, but that's a great get for the team! Then came confirmation that their previously scheduled game against the Texas Frogs will be happening on the 22nd of next month. And the date announcements concluded with official announcement of their participation in a four-team event in Milwaukee. No, not against the Eagles, but against three other quality mid-major opponents!
The scheduling news extended onto the pitch as the ⚽️ team released their 16-game schedule, beginning on Feb 12 in Kansas City & concluding at home against Orel Roberts in Mid-April.
Much more to come in the next few days, but that's all about the Herd for now.
Now that it's draft month, of course the rumors & speculation will really start to increase. For the team at the top it started with the one-time national championship hopeful who briefly attended Memphis and reportedly does not want to end up in Minnesota. More than any other sport, 🏀 allows it's ego-maniacs to run the show so this could remove James Wiseman from the team's draft board. Or the team could act like most bosses and bring in the person they think is best and work out the rest afterward.
I won't be holding my breath on that one, but it is a possibility. As the guy I most wanted, it's an unfortunate development but there is plenty of time for the team to figure out who or what the best option is for them.
As the roster-reshuffle begins, Minnesota cut ties with fan-favorite Sergio Romo. As salary-cap effects are felt around the league, more good players than usual may soon be unemployed and have to accept discounts to play next season.
Fargo's 🏒 team concluded their preseason on Thursday against Minnesota. After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, Fargo fought back to tie the game in the third with a Jack Peart goal and it remained even through overtime. In the shootout, Fargo's Tristan Broz struck first but the next two attempts came up empty while Minnesota hit their second and third shots to take the contest 3-2.
Fargo opens the regular season on the sixth against Lincoln at home.
Before 🏈 playoff weekend could kickoff, the North Dakota All-State ⚽️ team was announced with plentiful representation by locals.
The next round of the 🏈 playoffs will not be quite as well represented by local teams. Due to a forfeit, Sheyenne advance to the semi-finals and will face Bismarck, fresh off their one-point win over West Fargo in which the Bulls came back from a two-touchdown deficit late in the game, only to lose on a missed extra point. On the other side of the AAA bracket, Davies jumped out on Mandan but the Braves came back to beat the Eagles for the second year in a row while back in Bismarck, Century steam-rolled Shanley for a Capital area semi-final on Friday night.
In AA action both Hillsboro & Kindred advanced to the semi-finals & will face Beulah & St. Mary's respectively on Saturday. H/CV will host their game while Kindred will be in Bismarck for theirs.
In Minnesota action, Moorhead traveled to play Rogers in a clash of ranked teams. It was another one-sided game for Moorhead as Kevin Feeney's team won 21-0, which all but assures that they'll remain undefeated. Gotta play the games, but Brainerd & Bemidji would have to have everything go their way to put a L on Moorhead!
Back across the river, the final days of the regular season for ND 🏐 are at hand. West Fargo has all but clinched the top seed while the jockeying for position beneath them has yet to end.
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