Quote from: wwjjdd on November 26, 2010, 10:34:54 PM
According to the box score, Andy Venema did not play.  Is there any non-speculative information about his condition, or is this a question that can only be asked of the coaching staff?

Andy was in street clothes, as were King and Bunn.  Plus Jared only saw a few minutes at the end of the game; I think he was the one with shin splints.

Hope's bench isn't deep enough to lose someone like Venema.  Don't know how long he will be out, but he had a slight limp when he was walking.

I would say that Calvin's defense definitely looked great tonight, but Aquinas had a surprisingly weak performance compared to what they've shown in recent years.  Just a couple of quick notes:

I am very impressed with the freshmen.  Jordan Brink is quickly becoming our most composed ball handler, has great range on the jumper and seems to be a very athletic and mature player.  Tyler Kruis picked up many rebounds and blocks in his minutes and also seemed to demonstrate great poise down on both ends of the court, other than one early-in-the-shot-clock three ball that KVS didn't seem to like too much.     I'm excited for what they can contribute right away, and for the next four seasons.  The future is bright!

Brad Schnyders had a nice night in my opinion, even better than the box score will indicate.  At least one questionable travel was called on him, and a few fouls on either end could have gone his way but didn't. 

Overall it was a bit sloppy out there, and the Knights will have to play much better to compete against Cornerstone tomorrow.   Calvin definitely outhustled and showed more heart than the opposition tonight.  The other thing I like to see game in and game out is a lot of guys in the 8-12 point range--good scoring balance.  I haven't seen the box score yet but I think it will bear out that's what we saw tonight.  Great to get a W and see the young team continue to grow.

I'm also glad that Calvin-Hope Game 1 will wait till league play.  Go Knights vs Cornerstone!

Venema got hurt during the Davenport game, and reports of when he'll be able to play again vary, but it  seems he'll be out at least a week, maybe two.  At this rate of attrition, we may be completely out of players by the time league play starts.   

Congrats to Calvin on the win.  They definitely played with more desire, especially at the beginning of the second half.  Kruis seems like a nice addition.  Drawing a blank on Brink though (someone remind me?)  It was nice to see Ricky Shilts on the bench...always liked watching him play.

As Coach Neil says in the Sentinel, Hope has improved significantly from Tuesday's game against Davenport, but still has several kinks to work out.  Here's to tomorrow's chance to work out a few more.

I'm guessing Andy was kept out as a precautionary measure, I'll leave it at that.....

I'm not sure having Andy would have helped tonight, Hope faltered in large part because its "interior" players struggled in post play offensively( I say this because he is much more comfortable behind the arc), matchups, switching on screens, quick backdoor cuts and, once again, communication- none of which play to his strengths.

By by count 10 points given up on simply inbounding the basketball or outlets... inexcusable after the first or second time.  

There are too (2-4)many players who are currently poor defensively.. There is a huge difference between giving up a perimeter shot after helping off weak side, and simply not knowing where the person you are supposed to be guarding is. Once again, i'll chalk this up to lack of preseason exposure to "real" games but it cost them tonight.

The main difference between the 4 teams tonight, is Hope does not pound the ball into the post with the intent of kicking it out to shooters (ballside or weakside) if they are double or triple teamed.  Rather too many times they tried to force really challenging shots. Right now, they are pretty limited in what they can do on the blocks.  Hope's perimeter play is largely based on reversing the ball from perimeter spots and the defense doesn't have to move/react/ closeout as much.  Bowser actually attempted to kick out of a double team twice in the second half, but the open shooter wasn't looking to receive the pass ( person(s) also involved in the inbounding debacle).

On the bright side, Hope looked exponentially better for one half.  One cornerstone player stated that Hope defended them better in the halfcourt set than anyone else this year.  Dickerson played great once again for a half.  17ish points from the 2 guard spot. all Hope players played really hard, unfortunately not always smart.

AQ is definitely down this year but no one prepares a team as well as their staff.  If krombeen gets into foul trouble, it could be another long night.  Guessing AQ will be more physical than first 2 opponents as well.

I know Hope fans would love to be sitting 2-0 right now, and truthfully should be disappointed at not being 1-1, but these teams (DU and CU)are as good or better than anyone they will see the rest of the regular season.

Quote from: Happy Calvin Guy on November 27, 2010, 12:23:39 AM
I'm excited for what they can contribute right away, and for the next four seasons.  The future is bright!

Unless they go pro!

Quote from: Pat Coleman on November 26, 2010, 10:48:35 PM

Quote from: Dark Knight on November 26, 2010, 05:46:54 PM
Those early in-region games may be more likely to be harmful for inexperience dreams, or teams that play a complicated defense that takes 10 games and 25 practices to learn...

True, but it's better than playing NAIA teams which have had even more practices and games to that point.

Not for pool C consequences, it's not.

Calvin should be very pleased with this win, the first against a scholarship team in almost two years.  This was something that used to happen on a regular basis, and hopefully will continue tonight.

Been watching Calvin since the Barney Steen days and this is definitely one of the quickest, most talented and deepest teams.  Also the youngest.  They are improving rapidly and if they keep the intensity up, who knows what might happen.

Aquinas did not shoot as well as normal but Calvin's defense had a lot to do with that. They have some holes to fill and graduated last year's best HOF player.  Facility improvements are very nice and the floor has a little bounce to it.

Why is David Bunn not playing?  Injured or grades?

Quote from: BogeyMan on November 27, 2010, 08:25:44 AM
Why is David Bunn not playing?  Injured or grades?

No one by that name on Hope's team.

Peter Bunn is injured

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2010/11/injury_puts_peter_bunns_basket.html

Quote from: BogeyMan on November 27, 2010, 08:25:44 AM
Why is David Bunn not playing?  Injured or grades?

I'm pretty sure he graduated from Albion a couple of years ago and the NCAA might take a dim view of the Brits trying to add him to their roster now.

As for Peter Bunn, his physical condition has been the subject of much speculation on this board but apparently the spill he took on a bike last year has had a residual effect and he is not currently available for play with the Flying Dutchmen. His ETA has not been publicly mentioned but based on what I saw last night, Hope really does miss his presence on the floor. That's hardly a surprise because he is a difference maker.

Quote from: Civic Minded on November 27, 2010, 12:53:58 AM

Congrats to Calvin on the win.  They definitely played with more desire, especially at the beginning of the second half.  Kruis seems like a nice addition.  Drawing a blank on Brink though (someone remind me?)  It was nice to see Ricky Shilts on the bench...always liked watching him play.

Jordan Brink was introduced in the starting lineup and plays in the backcourt, wearing No. 12 for the maroon and gold.  He scored 10 points, grabbed 5 boards and played a very composed game for a freshman.

It's my hunch that you won't be drawing a blank on Brink for long.

Rebounds per 40 minutes:

Schuster  10.7
Snikkers   7.8
Rodts      6.4
--------------
DeYoung   11.0
Kruis     20.0

Blocked shots per 40 minutes:

Schuster   4.2
--------------
Kruis      6.2

It's not hard to see why Tyler Kruis is starting to earn some playing time.

Here's a quoted section of the play-by-play from Calvin's game last night:

OD!  J UMPER00 by Team                          :0400
UL   * by huster, BrentV2                       :0100
SSED *F SHOT by Team                            :0100
BOUNDO( FF) by derwood, SandH2                  :0100  33-48  V 15
SSED Y PTR by Team                              :5400
BOUNDD( EF) by ikkers, Tom  V2                  :5400  34-48  V 14
RNOVR* by ikkers, Tom  V2                       :4900
EAL  * by tchett, JamelH2                       :4900
OD!  J UMPER00 by derwood, SandH2               :4300
SIST * by tchett, JamelH2                       :4300
UL   * by tchett, JamelH2                       :2400
SSED *F SHOT by Team                            :2400
BOUNDO( FF) by ikkers, Tom  V2                  :2400  35-48  V 13
UL   * by tchett, JamelH2                       :0400

Yes, I think I saw the runover play by ikkers, but I didn't know they were editorializing like that in box scores nowadays, calling two of the shots "od!" Still, I'm glad they appreciate ikkers' leaping ability.

Quote from: Dark Knight on November 27, 2010, 09:19:14 AM
Rebounds per 40 minutes:

Schuster  10.7
Snikkers   7.8
Rodts      6.4
--------------
DeYoung   11.0
Kruis     20.0

Blocked shots per 40 minutes:

Schuster   4.2
--------------
Kruis      6.2

It's not hard to see why Tyler Kruis is starting to earn some playing time.

I watched Tyler play a couple of times in high school and was delighted when he came to Calvin. I thought it would take a year or two for him to have much of an impact on the college game but the last two games has caused me to reassess that judgment. It seems he is already capable of making a difference when he is  in the game--even without putting points on the board. His length, mobility and inside presence has been noticeable the last two games and he hasn't played like he is intimidated at all. He also appears to have put on a few pounds since high school. Must be that fine dining hall experience Calvin provides.