Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus
That is what is being discussed in terms of scheduling. Do you have any evidence to the contrary or are you just being cynical again?
Really? You honestly think other Big Ten teams are going to just pick up an incredibly expensive sport because there is a conference now? And you honestly think the Big Ten is going to give hand outs to the smaller schools? No way, no how. I don't have evidence, I have common sense.
"anything?"
It simply emphasizes the academic excellence of some of the best universities in the US into the recruiting equation, making the BTHC option that much more attractive to parents, advisors, and players
Do you honestly think that a blue chipper asks during his recruitment whether a school is a member of the AAU? The only time that might come up would be if a recruit is walking through Maroosh and asks what the hell the AAU banner is for.
I would classify UMD, SCSU and MSUM as secondary, not primary UMN rivalries. I suspect other interconference BTHC rivalries with UMN will also develop over time. Moreover, since we don't know which WCHA teams will be entering into BTHC scheduling for at least a couple years, you're a bit premature with your scheduling summary.
I completely disagree with UMD as a secondary rival. It might not be as malicious as the UW or UND but it's just as important to those I've been speaking to. They are part of the University of Minnesota system and they are a direct competitor for in-state recruits. There is a great rivalry that goes back decades. There is no way I'm going to develop a rivalry with MSU, OSU, or PSU as deep as those I've seen with the Minnesota schools. Geography, history, and competition are the three parts of a rivalry. Those schools have none of those qualities.
Trust me, plenty of athletes and fans on campus know about it. But then again I'm not interested in impressing you. My point was directed towards the statement where you stated the MN/UW rivalry has "Completely lost its lustre", which is not true. But you're obviously entrenched in your opinion beyond sound reasoning and I'm ok with that.
No, I'm speaking specifically with the UW-UMN hockey rivalry when I talk about the hatred waning. Most people would agree that the oldest of fans would classify UW as our primary rival while the younger generation considers UND to be our primary. If that's not evidence enough that the rivalry has grown weaker with time, I don't know what is.
Regarding the border battle cup, this is just like the DQ Cup from a few years ago. No one cared. Just like no one cares about the BB Cup. I never asked to be impressed and I'm not entirely sure where these shots came from so I won't address them.
Anyone reading this that's a fan of UW or UMN, do you care about the Border Battle Cup? Had you heard of it?
The rivalry between UND/UMN will most likely continue, but with different stakes and dynamics involved since it will no longer be a conference rivalry. It's basically incongruent to compare UND to Michigan in terms of rivalries. As I stated, the Minnesota/Michigan rivalry has not peaked with the same intensity even in football, which is where it really started, because Michigan has dominated. But I'm looking forward to it developing an edge in the BTHC.
Of course it will continue but with different dynamics. It will be just like the "rivalry" with Michigan that Minnesota hockey supposedly has. Sure I love beating Michigan, but nowhere near the joy I get from beating UND. I just don't see it because of the three qualities of a good rivalry I mentioned above. It has the history (although not so much since they bailed on the WCHA), it has the competition (sort of, since we haven't really played each other more than once a year for as long as I've been around), and it doesn't have the geography.
