You know 99.9% of that is because of Duke and Zion. In no way is NDSU a basketball school.
However, I will agree with you that this needs to change. NDSU is essentially capped out in regards to football. There is literally nothing else for NDSU to prove at the FCS level. I don't see this administration moving NDSU up to FBS anytime soon. So if NDSU wants to improve its overall athletic department, basketball NEEDS to be supported like football is. This means both financially and fan base/student body attendance. Softball & track have been really strong at NDSU, but those sports don't move the needle nationally like having a top tier Mid Major basketball program would.