Series Preview: Omaha vs. Wisconsin, Nov. 8-9, 2019

It’s a big series for UNO Hockey this weekend as #12 Wisconsin comes into Baxter Arena to take on your #20 ranked Mavericks.

The Mavs are coming off a win and a tie at Alaska Anchorage last week in a Thursday-and-Friday series. UNO is 4-1-1 on the season, including 2-0-0 at Baxter Arena this year. The four wins are almost half of the total wins the Mavs had during the entire 2018-19 season.

Wisconsin is 4-4-0 overall. The Badgers were swept by Penn State last week in Big 10 conference play.

UNO is 4-8-1 all-time against Wisconsin, including 2-4-0 in home games. However, the Badgers have never played at Baxter Arena. (The last time the two teams met was in Madison, Wisconsin, when the Mavs won and tied on the road).

There are several connections between Omaha and Wisconsin. Current Badgers associate head coach Mark Strobel was an assistant coach with UNO from 2002-2004 (while UNO Hockey Head Coach Mike Gabinet was a player). In addition, Mike Kemp, former UNO Hockey coach (and current senior associate athletic director for events and facilities), was an assistant coach at Wisconsin from 1981-82 and 1983-1996 before he was hired as UNO's first head coach.

It’s Military Appreciation weekend too. Omaha Athletics is saluting veterans and active members of the military and fire responders during the series. Fans can use the code THANKYOU at Omavs.com/tix for a 25 percent discount on tickets for Friday and Saturday’s games.

Season tickets holders also received a special offer via email to purchase additional discounted tickets to Friday and Saturday night’s games. With this offer, tickets are $5 for the upper bowl and $10 in the lower bowl.

Series preview articles:

OMavs.com:
https://omavs.com/news/2019/11/7/hockey-no-20-mavericks-take-on-no-12-wisconsin-in-return-to-baxter-arena.aspx

Wisconsin Badgers Hockey:

https://uwbadgers.com/news/2019/11/5/mens-hockey-quick-six-badgers-head-to-omaha.aspx

Omaha.com ($):
https://www.omaha.com/sports/college/uno/plus/no-uno-hockey-ready-to-return-home-against-an-extremely/article_570b947e-ab30-5044-b289-5aa8183769a4.html

When:

> Friday, 7:07 p.m. CT

> Saturday, 7:07 p.m. CT

Radio:

Both games will be broadcast live on 1180 AM (Zone 2). Donny Baarns will provide play-by-play and Terry Leahy will provide analysis and Lester St. James will report rinkside. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face off. 

You can also hear game coverage on 90.7 FM HD2 or mavradio.fm (student broadcast) or on the TuneIn Radio app (Learfield broadcast and student broadcast are both available).

TV:

> Friday and Saturday's games will be streamed on NCHC.tv ($)
> Saturday night’s game is also available on CBS All Access ($)

Saturday night’s game will feature “enhanced coverage” by the new Maverick Digital Network (for NCHC.tv viewers only).

Live Audio and Stats:

Live Audio: Click here

Live Stats: Click here

Also check out the most recent episode of the second season of the “MavPuckCast with Jason & Jon.” This episode features Jon and Jason talking about the Maverick games in Anchorage, the idea of streaming press conferences, and the state of the NCHC, along with a preview of the Wisconsin series.

Next up: The Mavericks open conference play next weekend, traveling to Kalamazoo, Michigan to take on the Western Michigan Broncos Nov. 15-16. Both games begin at 6:05 p.m. Central Time (CT).

Conference Alignment: Arizona State's Future ... and How It Echoes UNO's Past

By Jon Brooks

The winds of realignment have been blowing the past few years in college hockey, tearing apart long-standing rivalries and introducing uncertainty into conference structure and future expansion.

Arizona State is the most recent entrant into the D-I hockey ranks, and there has been considerable discussion about where the program will ultimately land.

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference, Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and Big Ten Hockey Conference have been mentioned as possible homes for the Arizona State program.

In recent months, most of the signs appeared to point the Sun Devils toward the Big Ten.

Then a story appeared yesterday on the WCCO website which knocked that theory off course:
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/04/25/arizona-st-hockey-big-ten-wcha-nchc/

"Two sources told WCCO that the Big Ten is no longer in the running to add the Sun Devils, and the choice is now between the Western Colleginate Hockey Association or the National Collegiate Hockey Conference."

Laying Out Preferences
Twitter has been chirping with various scenarios and preferences on the topic.

There are a number of NCHC bloggers and fans who would prefer the conference stay at its current eight member institutions -- preserving the NCHC's nascent tradition of being a strong hockey conference on a perennial basis.

Some believe Arizona State would fit better in the WCHA.

It has even been suggested that Arizona State should join Hockey East. (It reminds me of the time in 1998 when Maine Hockey Coach Shawn Walsh told the crowd at a UNO Blue Line Club Luncheon that he wanted to see UNO join Hockey East).

Last season has ended, and a myriad of banter ensues until the puck drops in the fall. I even wrote a piece ruminating on the hypothetical notion of UNO and North Dakota playing hockey in the Big Ten.

The Lack of Love
It is interesting to note the healthy cynicism on social media regarding Sun Devil Hockey. Part of it stems from the fact that collegiate hockey is largely represented by "smaller" schools.

Arizona State boasts that it is one of the largest public universities in the nation. There have been suggestions in intervening months that ASU would prefer to be in a conference with other "similar-size" institutions. That fueled suggestions that the Big Ten might accept the hockey program as an affiliate member (as they recently did with Notre Dame).

In some respects, Arizona State's newly minted D-I hockey program is like that new kid on the block who tries to push his way into a long-standing pickup game. The core fans who make up the small, tight-knit group of college hockey afficionados treat ASU with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Mixed Emotions -- Remembering How It Was For UNO in the Early Years
It is easy to be cynical about an upstart program wanting to play with the "big boys."

Even so, I remember the difficulties UNO had when it announced the formation of men's hockey in 1996. The university had assumed it would be able to join the WCHA.

After getting a tepid response from WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod (along with wary skepticism from some of the WCHA member schools at the time), UNO began to look elsewhere.

There were those who thought UNO should join with the other independent schools that would eventually form College Hockey America (CHA).

Based on what we heard at UNO Blue Line Club membership meetings we attended back during the first season, UNO had little interest in that conference.

From a stability point of view, the university wanted to be in a conference with more established programs.

UNO ultimately pursued the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) and was accepted to start play in the 1999-2000 season (finishing one game away from getting the conference autobid to the NCAA tournament).

At the time, we were told that Michigan State's Ron Mason was an advocate for adding UNO, and instrumental in greasing the wheels for our application. He proved to be a strong voice for expansion in college hockey, and had been so since his days at Bowling Green and Lake Superior State.

The reality at the time was that the CCHA had hit some potholes with Kent State and the University of Illinois-Chicago -- member schools that fizzled out (Kent State after only a single season). It wouldn't have been at all surprising for the conference to reject UNO as a result.

In 1998, Lake Superior State Athletic Director Bill Crawford told the Omaha World-Herald, "We've been the Ellis Island of college hockey. We bring everybody in."

Miami (OH) Coach Mark Mazzoleni told the paper, "It would be easy for guys like [Ron Mason] to just look out for their own schools. Ron Mason has always told us that we have to open to the betterment of college hockey as a whole."

Unlike some of my compatriots, I have a difficult time summarily dismissing the notion of adding Arizona State to the NCHC.

I believe there are some tangible positives for the NCHC-member schools with the addition of Arizona State. Not only would it be a terrific trip for players, coaches, and fans, it has the ancillary benefit of increasing exposure in the southwest United States (and we are seeing more hockey players from places like Arizona and California on college hockey rosters).

Arizona State had two of its hockey games broadcast on the Pac-12 Network last season (a game against Yale and a game against the U.S. Under-18 Select Team). There is an opportunity for NCHC schools to be featured in matchups against the Sun Devils on the network, and that would increase the national TV footprint.

Where Do We Go From Here?
College hockey fans go should go into this with eyes wide open. It is possible that other Pac-12 programs will follow suit and eventually join Arizona State in the D-I ranks -- leaving the NCHC with a hole if the "Pac-12 Hockey Conference" ever becomes a reality.

Some don't believe it is worth the risk. They feel it is better to maintain stability and avoid risking the solid foundation the NCHC has tried to achieve.

I would merely remind those fans that the NCHC is a diverse conference featuring schools with varying academic backgrounds, funding, facilities, and goals.

Few would argue that Western Michigan is a better hockey school than Northern Michigan, but the Broncos found their way into the NCHC.

It is possible that we have to take the "long view" of the sport. I don't know if it will happen in my lifetime, but it might be nice to see the day when more than 16 teams make the NCAA tournament.

The only way that happens is if college hockey expands.

Final Thoughts
The future is in flux. The addition of programs like Penn State and Arizona State to the D-I hockey ranks creates uncertainty and an environment of shifting alliances.

One thing is certain -- we have to be open to the growth of the sport (even if it is in a judicious and controlled manner).

As athletic department budgets become squeezed by changes such as "full cost of attendance scholarships," we have to consider that the sport could benefit from having well-funded universities sponsoring programs.

There's an old aphorism that states "a rising tide lifts all boats."

The reality is that we need additional programs in collegiate hockey. We need to do things to support and foster the growth.

That doesn't necessarily mean that the NCHC is the best fit for Arizona State, but it is a possibility worth considering.

Could B1G Changes Ever Come to UNO Hockey?

By Jon Brooks

Conference realignment has become a harsh reality in collegiate athletics. We've seen the fabric of long-standing geographic rivalries and institutional congruence torn apart by the zeal for lucrative television contracts.

It has become "survival of the fittest" among D-1 colleges and universities across the country. The once stable landscape has shifted into a pattern of unending shuffling and positioning.

The NCAA Men's Ice Hockey landscape changed most recently when Penn State moved their club program up to the D-1 level. That move meant six Big Ten member schools would sponsor D-1 programs -- the minimum number required to start a conference in the NCAA.

The move left the remaining WCHA and CCHA member schools scrambling to preserve their fortunes.

In the ensuing vaccuum, eight of the stronger WCHA and CCHA institutions forged ahead with plans to start what would become the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). Notre Dame joined Hockey East (HEA) and the remaining schools aligned under the WCHA banner.

Notre Dame recently announced that it will be leaving Hockey East to join the Big Ten Hockey Conference as an affiliate member in the 2017-18 season.

The move leaves Hockey East with 11 member schools, and B1G Hockey with seven.

Odd numbers aren't typically ideal in a conference structure, and South Bend's move has created a flurry of discussion about a possible 8th B1G Hockey member, and a 12th Hockey East member.

Jason Gonzales of the Minneapolis Star Tribune speculates about the B1G possibilities in an article published on March 24:

http://www.startribune.com/seven-teams-great-for-big-ten-hockey-but-what-about-eight/373305631/

While Big Ten deputy commissioner Brad Traviola says he doesn't "think there is a natural rush to go from seven to eight," you have to believe they have their eye on someone. 

Many have predicted this move will open the door for Arizona State to join B1G Hockey as an affiliate member. The size of that school and their membership in the Pac-12 are seen as appealing attributes. ASU has suggested that they would be more comfortable in a conference with schools the size and scope of those in the B1G Hockey Conference.

The question is whether the Big Ten would buck the predictable and find an eighth member institution that brings a solid hockey pedigree. As Gonzales points out, "North Dakota would be an obvious choice for immediate success and facilities, but it is comfortable in the NCHC."

But how "comfortable" is North Dakota in the NCHC? Would they entertain offers from another conference?

North Dakota represents the glue that holds the NCHC together. They are a true "hockey school" with solid financial stamina, bringing warm bodies to conference tournaments and offering a tremendous hockey pedigree.

If Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany is feeling especially bold, he could make a move for the Fighting Hawks. If his moves as commissioner illustrate one thing, it's that he isn't bashful about increasing the reach and scope of the Big Ten Conference. 

Before someone brings up the point that the NCHC has been "more competitive" than the B1G on the ice the past three seasons, these decisions are less about the sport itself, and more about cold, hard cash. 

Some have also wondered about the possibility of UNO representing the "University of Nebraska System" in the Big Ten Hockey Conference. The NU Board of Regents governs three schools in Nebraska -- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska at Kearney. All three schools share programs and resources, and use the same fundraising arm (the NU Foundation). 

(There have also been murmurings about UNL eventually starting a B1G Hockey program of its own and playing at Pinnacle Bank Arena...)

Since this entire piece is about hypotheticals in the "hyper-realignment" world we live in, I've recently been thinking about the concept of Omaha and North Dakota approaching Big Ten Hockey together at some point down the road. 

I know it might seem a far-fetched idea, but North Dakota would have a natural allure to the B1G, and Omaha brings an established media market that is well-versed in the Big Ten conference. 

Moreover, the Big Ten would have an opportunity to grab two well-funded and supported programs west of the Mississippi River -- programs boasting beautiful facilities. Add in Arizona State and you'd have a fairly nice 10-team hockey conference. 

I'm sure the Big Ten would prefer a scenario where schools like Iowa, Illinois or Nebraska started hockey programs in order to help preserve "conference purity." But considering the financial realities of collegiate athletics (Title IX, etc.) it might be folly to think such a thing will happen in the next decade. 

Some will question whether or not UNO or UND would ever want to make a deal with the devil...or ever seriously consider the possibility. 

Considering that Johns Hopkins competes in the B1G in lacrosse and Denver competes in the Big East in lacrosse, conferences have shown a willingness to bolster numbers in "niche" sports with schools outside the norm. 

The national TV exposure (the B1G boasts multiple cable channels) is a carrot that could attract a school like North Dakota should the B1G ever come calling. 

That said, being an "affilate member" means you are perpetually on the outside looking in, and such a school could find itself shoved aside at some point in the future. 

From an institutional point of view, the current NCHC schools are well aligned in terms of size and scope. From a spectator point of view, it would be a shame to have anything thwart the conference's current makeup. The NCHC has proven itself to be one of the finest conferences in terms of competition the last three seasons. 

The Big Ten Hockey Conference has struggled in terms of postseason success the past three seasons. No one knows what the "powers that be" in the B1G might do in a quest to bolster the numbers. 

Omaha (and Nebraska in general) has proven itself a good market for the Big Ten. The Big Ten Baseball Tournament featured record crowds when it was held in Omaha's TD Ameritrade Park in 2014, and the city will host again in 2016 and 2018 (the 2014 championship game was the largest single-game conference tournament attendance in NCAA history). 

(Omaha, being an event town, has a penchant for supporting high-profile sporting events like the College World Series, and I belive it could support the Big Ten Hockey Tournament if held here...).

The appeal of playing in a conference with "name schools" like Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Penn State and Notre Dame has to be appealing merely for the marquee value (especially in a market like Omaha, where hockey doesn't have the intense following it does in other parts of the country). 

It is interesting to speculate on potential realignment. Whether or not any of the notions presented are in the realm of possibility is subject to debate. One thing is for certain... UNO has to be wary of the evolving landscape, continually watch their back, and try to read the tea leaves for the future.