Bison Prove Any Team Can Win: On paper, scheduling Division I newcomer North Dakota State sounds like a joke, or a chance to give a young team an opportunity to learn to play together without risking a loss. But the Bison proved that any team can beat any other team, even Wisconsin, which hadn’t lost at home in nearly two years. North Dakota State played sound basketball, shooting 50 percent, while forcing the Badgers to win from the outside. And the shots just weren’t falling as Wisconsin made only 22 percent of its field goal attempts. The team hit only four of 27 three-point attempts.
Although Wisconsin is the victim in this case, success by Division I newcomers like North Dakota State validate the transition of Division II programs. Suddenly, acceptance into the Big Sky Conference or Mid-Continent Conference may not be as difficult for the still-homeless Bison. They are in the midst of a four-year provisional period in which they cannot contend for an NCAA Tournament. As it is, North Dakota State has more marquis wins than half the teams in the Big 12 Conference. [1/22/06]
