At the end of each half, the referees went to the monitor, apparently to assess the timing as a ball went out of bounds. Thanks to Calvin's excellent broadcast, we can--as morning after fans--see what the referees saw.

In the first, Marcus Wourman collides with Calvin players in the basket circle and falls to the floor while attempting a layup at 1.4 seconds. https://youtu.be/cimPQAze4JM?t=3443 After reviewing the play, the referees declared the half over with (a good? bad?) no call.

At the game's end, as you can see by pausing play, the ball hits out of bounds at 2.7 seconds. But the clock continues running to 1.4 seconds. (Likely the person running the clock couldn't see where the ball hit.) After presumably seeing what you can see, the referees reset the clock to 1.8 seconds. https://youtu.be/cimPQAze4JM?t=7427 Not that it would have mattered . . .

Regardless of where they go from here, kudos to Calvin for an amazing season, after losing Jalen for the year and starting the season 1-6. Who would have guessed?

An exciting game, with no discredit to Hope players and coaches for taking favored Calvin to the wire, and holding them to 62 points. After a great first half, coaching wasn't responsible for the missed point-blank layups at the start of the second half, for the missed free throws, or the 1 of 12 3-point shooting. Nevertheless, when Hope went ahead by 12 with less than 16 minutes to play, I was feeling optimistic and I daresay the inestimable Mrs. OldKnight was growing pessimistic.

Varnado for Calvin and Wourman for Hope were both pretty sensational. I'm looking forward to watching them (well, one of them) again next year.

Kudos to the seniors for all they've invested in developing their talent and gifting us with it, with a special shout-out to Zach Hawes for ending his career so impressively the last four games. Both Hope and Calvin are graduating some players that will be greatly missed, but bring back a lot of talent as well.

A fun day at DeVos, as Hope reversed their loss at Albion with an 81 to 56 win before 2325 fans.

The really fun part—-for fans and for their ecstatic, supportive teammates-—was having seniors Josh Decker, Ben Wagar, and Zach Hawes move into the senior-honoring starting lineup, and promptly draining 5 of 5 3-point shots in the first 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

They ended the game having played a combined 35 minutes, and scoring 38 points, including 10 of 13 triples. So cool . . . and for the team (shooting 53% and with only 9 turnovers) quite the turnaround from the dismal prior game at Olivet.

Kudos to Calvin men's BB. Who among its fans expected, after their 1-6 start, that on February 16th they'd be 17-6, nationally ranked, and league champions--all without Jalen Overway. Even Mrs. OldKnight must be happily surprised.

TUAngola, wow, Trine was amazing, besting Hope 80 to 63 on 53% shooting and a 42 to 29 rebounding advantage against the taller Dutch, for whom there was a lid on the basket today. That third quarter--where Trine, with super hot shooting, scored 29 points against Hope's legendary defense--was the best women's BB performance I've seen at Hope this winter, and more than enough to overcome Hope's perfect 21 for 21 at the free throw line (I don't recall a free throw even touching the rim).

And Sidney Wagner surely will be league MVP? It's not just her shooting (9 of 13 and 23 points) that impressed, but her amazing quickness and ball handling, which enabled her 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals as well. An All-American-level performance.

A class act after-game moment. I love that Hope's women's and men's coaches both, in the post-game handshakes, make a point of congratulating opposing players who have had exceptional games. Today Coach Morehouse, after the exchanges, took Sidney aside for a full minute giving his extended congratulations (I inferred) for her exceptional game and career. That was the DIII athletic spirit--of mutual respect after competitive play--at its best.

Quote from: BigBallBoy on February 03, 2025, 09:45:09 PMI am not willing to give up on this team because they have good players and potential.  We just need shots to fall at a higher percentage, regardless of who is in or out any given day!

Hope fans who have sustained a belief in their team's potential were rewarded last evening, as Hope reversed their earlier 23 point loss at Trine with a more decisive victory than the final score indicates (a 17 point lead with under 2 minutes to go). Hope's first half was restrained by 9 turnovers—many just throwing the ball away. But that problem was remedied in the second half and offset by a 38 to 23 rebounding advantage, which was assisted by Emanuel Megnanglo's foul trouble, restricting him to 21 minutes.

As Sac implied, the game ball goes to Parker Hovey for his 21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, with but one turnover.

To my eye the difference from this an previous games was Hovey and Wourman more aggressively dribble penetrating to the basket, getting closer shots and drawing fouls. That's seemingly a strategy that can be replicated . . . though the return of Drew Moore and a complete game from Megnanglo would make last night's dominance hard to replicate.

Quote from: BigBallBoy on February 03, 2025, 09:45:09 PMI am not willing to give up on this team because they have good players and potential.  We just need shots to fall at a higher percentage, regardless of who is in or out any given day!

You expressed my sentiments, BigBallBoy. Hope did last year end the season on an upswing, winning the league tournament, including defeating the eventual national champs on their home court. So we're not without hope.

Quote from: wiz on January 29, 2025, 10:03:32 PM

Quote from: pointlem on January 29, 2025, 09:55:02 PMAlbion 76, Hope 74, with the win on a last second basket. Can't fault Hope's effort, with only 10 turnovers and outrebounding Albion by 13. But once again dismal 3 point shooting (22% on 6 of 27, to Albion's 64%) was the difference. To upset Calvin on Saturday, Hope will need to combine its hard play with better shooting...which is possible.

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy approve of this message.

Alas, Hope's hard play and rebounding advantage was offset by yet another poor shooting (33%) game. So Wiz's skepticism about my optimism for Hope proved prescient.

Albion 76, Hope 74, with the win on a last second basket. Can't fault Hope's effort, with only 10 turnovers and outrebounding Albion by 13. But once again dismal 3 point shooting (22% on 6 of 27, to Albion's 64%) was the difference. To upset Calvin on Saturday, Hope will need to combine its hard play with better shooting...which is possible.

Quote from: BigBallBoy on January 25, 2025, 04:52:40 PMTough Trine-Hope game to watch from a Dutchman perspective. . . .
Tough climb from here for the Dutchmen, but there is always Hope!

Well said BigBallBoy...as Hope's cold shooting woes (28%, and but 3 of 24 3's) continue. But, yes, credit Trine as well as the basket lid.

Hope could have used Josh Decker's 3-point shooting these last two games. Hopefully he and Eli Schoonveld will soon return--both missed. With Albion/Calvin/Trine up next, this is the difficult stretch.

Quote from: wiz on January 22, 2025, 11:40:47 PM

Quote from: wiz on January 19, 2025, 08:36:36 PMHere we go, Calvin, here we go to Holland!

That was fun.

Agree, Wiz. Near the end I said to my seatmate, "This has been a great game, regardless of who wins." Back-and-forth, 16 lead changes, rebounds minus turnovers essentially equal, hard but sportsmanlike play by both teams, neither of which shot well (especially at free throws), but with Calvin just enough higher percentage shooting than Hope to make the difference.

Parker Swartz's 19 points off the bench was a difference maker for Calvin. He was impressive. And perhaps Calvin fans can reciprocate by empathizing with our pleasure in watching Marcus Wourman's drives into the lane--a marriage of athleticism and ballet. Anytime he sees a path, I'd encourage him to go for it.

Hope's defense in its 77 to 45 win over Olivet (which in late December beat DePauw which beat Hope) reminded me of the Lions v. Vikings . . . stifling, especially during the 16 to 1 run that ended the half, and the 16 to 0 run mid the second half. Eli Schoonveld, Parker Hovey, and Ethan Crabtree (whose minutes we may see more of) were especially impressive in their steals and blocked shots.

Quote from: AlwaysHope on December 19, 2024, 12:58:03 PMHope vs. Wittenberg starts just over one hour.  You will see a familiar face in their starting lineup:  Karsen Karlblom #32, who started for Hope last year.  This year she is shooting 11.4 PPG, tied as the leading scorer of the Tigers' WBB team.  She is shooting 52.2% from the field, including 45.2% beyond the arc.

Saw that and, without knowing the story behind her transfer, was pleased to see her post-game hugs with Hope players and Coach Morehouse.

Quote from: BigBallBoy on December 09, 2024, 09:41:15 AMOther than the Calvin upset over La-Crosse (well-crafted play by Coach Sall to get the open Vernado game-winning 3-pointer) the WIAC hands it to the MIAA over the weekend.  Hope competed and was within striking distance but not enough plays made to get Wins. Turnovers continue to hurt the Dutchmen as well as a consistent second scorer.  Does anyone have a word on Wourman's return?

Good analyses BigBallBoy. I believe Marcus Wourman is hoping to play this coming weekend. Once he is back in playing shape perhaps his ball distribution and scoring can lift Hope to the next level.

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 02, 2024, 10:08:34 AMComplication of an ESPN schedule and a venue that is not a campus venue.

Good point, Pat. I wonder if the NCAA committee has a plan in place, should either of the semi-final winners be unavailable for a Sunday championship game.