Nobody in Division I college basketball history has more wins than Duke’s Hall of Fame coach, Mike Krzyzewski. When Coach K talks, people listen. So, when Krzyzewski lavished praise on the NDSU basketball program following the Blue Devils 85-62 win over the Bison in the NCAA Tournament – Duke led by a narrow 31-27 margin at halftime – folks around college hoops started talking about a rising mid-major basketball power from Fargo, N.D. “They return everybody, watch out man, watch out,” said Coach K. In a game to remember, Bison junior Vinnie Shahid hit Duke for 20 points, cementing his place as one of the players to watch next year in mid-major hoops. Swany and Nolan say Bison fans need to get off their molasses and get behind this hoops program, and make the argument why there's no reason NDSU can't be one of the annual powers in mid-major basketball. Get aboard the Bison hoops train while there's still space, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

Cutting down some nets, don't mind if we do! America, meet the Bison. North Dakota State is heading back to March Madness after winning the Summit League Tournament in South Dakota State's backyard. You want facts? Here's one. By the end of the tournament, the Bison cemented themselves as the best team in the conference. The dynamic group of young ballers is led by the league's newcomer of the year, Vinnie Shahid, whose 22 points against Omaha propelled him to the Summit League Tourney MVP and the Bison to the NCAA Tournament. With one of the deepest benches in mid-major hoops, the Bison are red-hot, featuring some of the sharpest shooters this side of the Mississippi! Swany and Nolan recap the conference tourney and preview the NCAA Tournament, including where the Bison could end up. Swany also gets into a monologue about satire and the dean of Fargo columnists, Mike McFeely. Where could that possibly end up going? Put on your dancing shoes, baby, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

Heads up! The guys throw some heavyweight punches at the NFL draft analysts calling North Dakota State "small school." Ask the White House, or Iowa, Kansas State, Oklahoma, the Cleveland Browns (they passed on Carson Wentz, remember), etc. There's nothing small about NDSU. But go ahead, keep calling us small school, and we'll keep taking your lunch money. Easton Stick's draft stock is soaring after a dominating NFL Combine performance. Swany and Nolan preview the Summit League Tournament. Swany Says the Bison will be dancing in March, while Nolan is a bit more cautiously optimistic. The guys also share some exciting news about the podcast growing its distribution network by expanding to several new platforms. It's a great time to be alive, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

The Bison Illustrated's Ross Uglem sits down with Easton Stick to discuss Stick's draft preparation. In a wide-ranging 35 minute interview, Uglem and Stick cover everything from why the all-time winningest QB in FCS history chose North Dakota State to the NFL Draft Combine. It's a can't miss interview with the fleet-footed, savvy gunslinger who will be a draft steal for the team smart enough to pick him. Speaking of excellence, Swany and Nolan trumpet the historic shot put exploits of NDSU's Payton Otterdahl. The junior set an all-time NCAA record in the indoor shot put, chucking it further than anyone else in collegiate history. Meanwhile, Swany and Nolan discuss how far the Bison men's hoops team will go in March. Drink it in, it always goes down smooth on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

The Bison men's basketball team will contend for the Summit League Championship in Sioux Falls this March. How about that!? North Dakota State was the better team for all but a fraction of a second versus South Dakota State and Darth Daum, who pulled a rabbit out of their hats to top the Bison on a buzzer beater. All that aside, our prediction? The tide is turning in the Summit League, and it's rolling north towards Fargo. Swany and Nolan tell you why the Bison have a high upside --- like Apple circa 2007. If they were a stock, we'd be BUYING like crazy! Bear market, bull market ... how about a Bison market, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

To: NDSU Football

From: The White House

Dear Bison,

You are invited to the White House to celebrate your football dynasty.

Sincerely,

The President \m/

North Dakota State will be rolling large to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to visit POTUS after US Senator John Hoeven announced that President Trump invited the Herd to the most famous house in the world in recognition of another national championship. Swany and Nolan talk about what the invite means, and discuss everything from its historic significance to banning KState shoutouts on NDSU's day, and whether they'd go if invited. The guys recap another huge week for the Bison men's hoops team with wins over North Dakota and Denver that sets up the biggest home stand in recent memory. The buck stops here, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

Extra, extra, read all about it! The Bison Illustrated released its 2018 FCS National Championship Commemorative Edition Special Issue. With eight words in the title, you know it's legit! The issue lives up to the hype. It has interviews with all of your favorites -- Easton Stick, President Bresciani, Coach Entz, and a roundtable with five seniors talking about their careers and the capstone 15-0 perfect season. Bison senior defensive back Jaylaan Wimbush takes you inside championship week like nobody else can as he journaled the entire trip to Frisco for Bison Illustrated. Swany and Nolan talk about the misguided efforts of a Grand Forks state senator trying to compel NDSU and UND to play for a new rivalry trophy. Our verdict? You may be surprised. Or you may not.

Football season is months away and the experts are already predicting the 2019 FCS favorites for Frisco. Well, when in Rome! Swany and Nolan debate Craig Haley's early list of six teams that could contend for the belt. They agree with a few, but say one or two needs rethinking. In the nearer future, the Bison men's hoops team has climbed into the top half of the Summit League standings. Behind strong play from junior guard Vinnie Shahid, the Bison notched a key road win at Oral Roberts. The Herd is a doable two games back of the No. 2 spot in the conference. The guys say buy this stock now, cause it's going up. Finally, we talk about NDSU thrower Payton Otterdahl, the USA Track & Field National Athlete of the Week, whose titanic throws are literally the best in the world this year. While much of the country is caught in the icy-grips of an unforgiving Polar Vortex, find relief, this week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!

The polar bear days of winter got you down? The prescription to fight cold temps and January days is: (1) some NFL Draft talk about Easton Stick and Bruce Anderson, and (2) throw in some Carson Wentz news, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast! Swany and Nolan cover the march towards the NFL Draft. North Dakota State has become a familiar destination for NFL scouts and player personnel folks. The guys then dive into some straight up absurdity as Swany rants about, well, stuff that the "get off my lawn" crowd rants about. The conversation comes full circle as we recap a big men's hoops win over UND, and a crowded Summit League race.

You've got to feed the beast! North Dakota State Football is a juggernaut, one of the best programs in America, nay, the world! And as the best fanbase in the universe, Bison Nation demands content 24-7-365. Ask and you shall receive! Swany and Nolan start the detailed analysis of the "offseason" for NDSU Football -- including the Easton Stick Draft Watch (ESDW). On top of that, Matt Entz has assembled a dynamite coaching staff, including "The Blaze!" You want some bold talk, some straight up Bison awesomeness? The guys tell you why and how the Bison men's hoops team is trending in the right direction, and could change the trajectory of the entire Summit League with big wins this week over Denver and in-state rival North Dakota. Swany Says that UND President Kennedy should enjoy seeing the Bison Football team parading seven national championship trophies in front of him at the SHAC this weekend. #Boom #Nice! There is no off week, this week and every week, on the Bison Illustrated Podcast!