It has been a while since I've written a post. I hope to take some of the burden off of poor Stinger in the coming weeks. Not that I don't enjoy his "Me v. Dutch and Knight Nations" mentality....

I wish I had something better to mention than K's loss to TriState tonight. What an ugly game. The Hornets were out of synch the entire first half and most of the 2nd. Not sure how many TO's both teams had, but it must have been high. K only had Kellogg playing well. He was a horse down low. No one else could get it done, however. I felt bad for McCain who was trying to make things happen but nothing was going his way. He had 3 questionable fouls against him, the last fouled him out with over 8 in the game. He proceeded to toss the ball down court, earning a delay of game T to finish his night.

K had it to within 2 a few times throughout the 2nd half, but TriState, to their credit, executed much better down the stretch. The Thunder had well rounded contribution, I thought. TriState's big fella, cannot remember his name, played, well...kinda thuggish. He delivered two excessively hard fouls in the final few minutes of the game that were not called for. The last was against K's Jerome (all 5'9" of him).

Midline

My final thoughts on the K/Calvin game last night, before I retire for the season....With the current rosters Kalamazoo would beat Calvin 1 or 2 out of 10 games. The Hornets would have to play a nearly perfect game and get a few breaks from the opposition and the stripes. After a very impressive first half, wonderful D against the Knights and timely shooting, K was still only up 2 at the break. Calvin just wore them down in the 2nd.

Herman finished his season as he played his entire career - strong drives to the basket, fearless D and tremendous leadership. I would imagine Konwinski was disappointed with his play, particularly in the 2nd. He was bottled up by Calvin's D, as were the rest of the Hornets. Still, great careers by two good guys.

Kalamazoo's D was very good last night - I don't imagine this Calvin team has too many games shooting such a low % at home, but I could be wrong on that. Just not enough 2nd half O from Kzoo.

One more thoughts on the fans....If you are offended by loud, enthusiastic, loyal fans who cheer loudly for their team and heckle the opposition, why on earth are you watching college basketball? Try tennis or golf. Those sports are much less likely to insult your gentle disposition.

Lots to look forward to next season....RP had (in my opinion) his best coached season this year, proven players such as Brinkman, Clancy, Kellogg, Krohn and others will return, as will the ever-intriguing Henry McCain. The question is....which guard will step up and run the offense?

Go Hornets.

K'moves,

Please, lighten up. This is college basketball, and the enthusiasum and creativity of the fans is part of the game. K fans were outnumbered at least 10-1 last night and the Stingers did a fantastic job supporting their team. In fact, K fans OWNED that fieldhouse in the first half. Give me the fans with passion and originality, over the ultra-reserved Calvin fans I saw last night.

Quote from: knightmoves on February 25, 2006, 12:08:17 AM
Sac,
I am very disappointed in your comments about the Kalamazoo students. They were absolutely disgraceful, classless, and immature. I have never been prouder to be a Calvin Alumni with students that don't stoop to such a low snake level!!!

Kakatay,

Love the picture. Makes you look tall.

Not a well executed game last night for either team, but K did just enough to hold off TSU. Dribble penetration by TriState hurt the Hornets, but the D clamped down at the right times. Good to see K.Kon and Herman get a W at their last home game. Last night's MVP - Damon Krohn, who came off the bench for 13 (I think) with a few triples and some solid defense.

Bring on the Knights. I've got my ticket in hand and I'm already looking forward to my first trip up to Knollcrest in nearly 10 years.

Quote from: almcguirejr on February 22, 2006, 10:54:25 AM

Quote from: KnightSlappy on February 22, 2006, 10:47:19 AM
I have heard great things about Gerald Dozie all year.  His numbers are great and he was voted into the Lets Talk MIAA First team.  I just hope he doesn't decide to come to play against Calvin tonight because he didn't the first two meetings.

Dozie didn't start 2 games this year, both against Calvin.  He was being disiplined for
something both times.  Also, the defense that works well against Crawford works well
against Dozie.

Same thing happened in the 2nd Kzoo/Olivet meeting.

Quote from: admittedlydutch on February 22, 2006, 09:55:53 AM

Quote from: midline on February 22, 2006, 09:07:40 AM

(5) Finally, I would like to see an angry Hornet team tonight. I want to see a determination to return to Calvin with a chip on their shoulder after last week's loss.

Can we count out an Olivet upset this fine evening?

No, we cannot.

Keys tonight for the Hornets.....

(1) Defensive intensity from the start. In the 2nd TriState/K game (@ Kzoo) I believe TriState hit 9 or 10 threes out of 15 attempts. They were in a great rhythm and K was not effective in slowing down their transition O. Thankfully, K also shot well in the 1st half and were only down a bucket or two at the break. In the second frame K disrupted TriState's game plan and the Hornets took control.

(2) Stay within the confines of Coach RP's system. When the Hornets play within themselves and refrain from improvisation, they play very well. They struggle when guys try to make "the big play" by themselves.

(3) Spread it around. The Hornets are at their best when they have 3-4 guys contributing (K.Kon., Herman, Clancy, McCain, Kellogg).

(4) Avoid foul trouble, especially from their big men.

(5) Finally, I would like to see an angry Hornet team tonight. I want to see a determination to return to Calvin with a chip on their shoulder after last week's loss.

Congrats to Kyle Konwinski for being named MIAA player of the week. Nice to see someone from a squad other than "the big 3" get some accolades.

I said this earlier in the week, and I will saw it again....I like the position the Hornets are in right now. Today's game in GR gave some of the younger players a taste of playing at Calvin. Now they have a chip on their shoulders going back home to host a game in the tourney. Then, it is back up to GR for a shot at revenge and the shocker of the season.

Worst had a career game today. Great timing considering it sounded as if Clancy was really out of it. Surprising, because in the first game between these two teams it was Clancy and Draayer trading buckets in the second half. What a change from earlier in the season when Kalamazoo would have wilted under the pressure of a more talented opponent in a difficult environment. Now, when they have 3-4 different guys contributing and they stick with RP's game plan, they will have a shot at the end of any game.

Beat T-State.

Calvin up 3 at the half, 38-35. Sounds as if it is a similar game to the first meeting between the Hornets and Knights. K shot 58% in the first half but Calvin had too many 2nd chance points.

Andersdy, you saw K's worse performance of the season, without question. They were just coming off two poorly played games in Florida after their long winter break. Plus, they do not match up well against Hope, as their 2nd loss to the Dutch proved. I think the turning point for K this year may have been the first Albion loss. Maybe they began to believe in themselves a little more after hanging with a team that was considered by many to be the best in the league at the time.

Quick note on last night's K game....solid game for soph Mat Kellogg. He finished with 12 and 7, and I believe all his points came in the 2nd frame. Most importantly - only 1 PF. He is such an active, aggressive player, if he stays on the floor for the Hornets, all the better. Poor outing for young McCain - 0 for 3, no boards, 3 PF, 3 TO's. Picked a good game for a bad showing. Hopefully that is out of his system.

Class and style, Crawford.

I like the position the Hornets are in right now. At Calvin on Sat will certainly be tough, but hopefully the environment will give the younger players a taste of the atmosphere in the upcoming tourney. Should the Hornets get out of the first round, having just played at Calvin a week earlier might help their chances against their 2nd round opponent.

Passage has done a great job this year. Clearly, his most dangerous team since 02-03.

K wins 59-47. MIAA site reports TriState lost to Adrian. Good night to be a Hornet.