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.

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Quote from: TUAngola on January 29, 2025, 09:49:11 PMCalvin tops Trine 62-58 in a physical, defensive slugfest.  Calvin's defense was stellar, they play tight man to man just like Trine.  I don't think Trine played badly, they just had a tough time generating any consistent offense, but again that was due mostly to Calvin's defense.  Uchenna was up to the task guarding Drew, it was tough for Drew to get many shots up.  The big key to the win was Uchenna offensively was agressive, I've watched him play for 4+ years now and this is the most he has looked for his shot against us, he was their go-to guy.  Trevin was big for the Knights too, he had a great first half.

Good game analysis. I will just add a few thoughts. This was the most intense basketball game I have attended in many years, raising my blood pressure a notch throughout its course. Calvin's win at Hope last week was pretty intense too, but this tilt against Trine exceeded the Rivalry game I believe. As good as Calvin defense is and was, I think Trine's was every bit as good if not better, forcing 20 Calvin turnovers to keep the Thunder in it. In the end, Egekeze was the difference maker, coming up with a spectacular game of 23 points and 5 steals. No one has ever considered Uchenna to be much of a threat from the arc, but he hit 3 of 4 triple attempts and his corner 3 ball with the game tied at 56 proved to be the difference maker. Ressler struggled a lot tonight, but with the shot clock winding down the final 30 seconds, and the Knights up one, Luka arced in a short but difficult fadeaway over Megnanglo to put the home team in a tough spot. I thought Nate Tucker was excellent for Trine, scoring 16 and grabbing 7 boards. Just a great game. I might not sleep tonight.

The Trine-Calvin game was really fun to watch with so many swings and such stingy defense.  Calvin is the deserving league front-runner with timely contributions from various players over the last several games.  It has been fun watching Uchenna develop - from a defensive specialist to a penetrator and now to add the outside shot.  Defensively, as TUAngola said, he was instrumental in keeping Moore from having an explosive offensive night.  I am still so sad to not be able to see Fred and Uchenna compete and I think this particular game amplified the void.  Grant Pahl did an admirable job competing, especially since joining the team so recently. Congrats to Calvin on a strong first half of the Conference scheduled...will they go undefeated through the second half?

Hope continues to be in the rut of the season-long narrative...illness/injury, poor shooting (and free throw) percentages, but rebounding and effort are there...I think the first four minutes and last three minutes of the first half were symptomatic of just not starting and finishing strong.  The Hope lead was up to 7 around the three minute mark of the first half and yet dwindled to a tie game at half-time. 

I am starting to think that shooting percentage is a hard stat to really glean a lot (other than frustration) from because not every shot is equal (e.g. a three point heave at the end of the shot-clock versus an open three miss).  The discipline of getting the shots you want, rather than the shots the defense will let you take separates the teams that can make their breaks and teams that depend on shooting percentage. More could be said, but I look forward to the game when Hope gets the shots they want (and should be taking) and makes them. It would be great if this would come against the teams above them in the Conference standings.

Looking a bit at other stats from Hope-Albion - Hope's second half had them scoring 0 points off turnovers and only 2 fast-break points.  When half-court offense is struggling those are important areas to try to maximize...Thankfully Hope's 15 second-half second chance points kept them in the game.  It goes to show how Albion was able to get and keep (for the most part) the lead until the nail-biting end.

Quote from: BigBallBoy on January 25, 2025, 04:52:40 PMTough climb from here for the Dutchmen, but there is always Hope!

Well said.

Quote from: TUAngola on January 29, 2025, 09:49:11 PMCalvin tops Trine 62-58 in a physical, defensive slugfest.

Quote from: oldknight on January 30, 2025, 12:24:04 AMThis was the most intense basketball game I have attended in many years, raising my blood pressure a notch throughout its course. Calvin's win at Hope last week was pretty intense too, but this tilt against Trine exceeded the Rivalry game I believe.

What are folks' thoughts on the officiating?
Consistent?
Was too much physical play allowed?
Did it seem like an NCAA tournament game? Where the officials allow very physical play.

Quote from: Grutte Dirk on January 30, 2025, 10:23:49 AM

Quote from: TUAngola on January 29, 2025, 09:49:11 PMCalvin tops Trine 62-58 in a physical, defensive slugfest.

Quote from: oldknight on January 30, 2025, 12:24:04 AMThis was the most intense basketball game I have attended in many years, raising my blood pressure a notch throughout its course. Calvin's win at Hope last week was pretty intense too, but this tilt against Trine exceeded the Rivalry game I believe.

What are folks' thoughts on the officiating?
Consistent?
Was too much physical play allowed?
Did it seem like an NCAA tournament game? Where the officials allow very physical play.

I thought the officiating was consistent in the sense that the game officials let a lot go, but did so in an even-handed way. A lot of leeway was given to the defensive pressure applied by both teams, and when that happens the game becomes more physical. That's the way basketball officiating has evolved over the years, and while an old guy like me shakes his head at it, it's not going to change anytime soon, so players need to be mentally prepared and expect it. I see this officiating style has even trickled down to high school level where tons of physical play is now permitted. I haven't seen any statistics on this, but I think games are lower scoring than was true 30 years ago, despite the advent of the 3 point shot.

But did you sleep?

Quote from: sac on January 30, 2025, 12:28:08 PMBut did you sleep?

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A key moment from last night's Hope-Albion game. With about 2 min left, Hovey hit a three to give Hope their first lead since the first minute of the second half. Wourman immediately stole the inbounds pass and Mims smartly backed the ball out to kill clock, maintain momentum, and be patient for a good shot. But the shot clock was erroneously set to 20 seconds instead of giving Hope the full 30 on change of possession. No one seemed to notice this--Hope coaches, players, refs, announcers, anyone. As a result of the erroneous shot clock, Hope never got into their offense and Mims (a 26% three point shooter) had to force up a three as the shot clock ran down. He missed, Hope fouled on the rebound, and Albion tied the game from the line with 1:34 left. Hope did not score again and lost by two on Albion's buzzer beating putback. In any loss you can point to a million things, but in hindsight 10 more seconds of clock usage and one more potential quality shot attempt loomed pretty large.

Calvin and Hope have momentum going in different directions right now, but it's been a real fine line and Calvin would do well to not take Hope lightly on Saturday.

Quote from: oldknight on January 30, 2025, 12:24:04 AM

Quote from: TUAngola on January 29, 2025, 09:49:11 PMCalvin tops Trine 62-58 in a physical, defensive slugfest.  Calvin's defense was stellar, they play tight man to man just like Trine.  I don't think Trine played badly, they just had a tough time generating any consistent offense, but again that was due mostly to Calvin's defense.  Uchenna was up to the task guarding Drew, it was tough for Drew to get many shots up.  The big key to the win was Uchenna offensively was agressive, I've watched him play for 4+ years now and this is the most he has looked for his shot against us, he was their go-to guy.  Trevin was big for the Knights too, he had a great first half.

Good game analysis. I will just add a few thoughts. This was the most intense basketball game I have attended in many years, raising my blood pressure a notch throughout its course. Calvin's win at Hope last week was pretty intense too, but this tilt against Trine exceeded the Rivalry game I believe. As good as Calvin defense is and was, I think Trine's was every bit as good if not better, forcing 20 Calvin turnovers to keep the Thunder in it. In the end, Egekeze was the difference maker, coming up with a spectacular game of 23 points and 5 steals. No one has ever considered Uchenna to be much of a threat from the arc, but he hit 3 of 4 triple attempts and his corner 3 ball with the game tied at 56 proved to be the difference maker. Ressler struggled a lot tonight, but with the shot clock winding down the final 30 seconds, and the Knights up one, Luka arced in a short but difficult fadeaway over Megnanglo to put the home team in a tough spot. I thought Nate Tucker was excellent for Trine, scoring 16 and grabbing 7 boards. Just a great game. I might not sleep tonight.

Yes, you knew it was Uchenna's night on that 3 ball from the corner.  From my angle I thought there is no way that's going in as it was pretty much a 'line drive' shot, very little arc to it, but it went in.  And Luka's  shot was amazing too.  I didn't like that Trine didn't look for a quick 2 pointer after the time out, that's what I would have done, and then either get a trap/turnover on the inbounds pass or foul and make Calvin hit free throws.  Calvin defended the 3 point line great all night and certainly on the last Trine possession did not give anyone a good look as Drew had to force an off balance shot that had no chance.

Quote from: Happy Calvin Guy on January 30, 2025, 02:35:10 PMA key moment from last night's Hope-Albion game. With about 2 min left, Hovey hit a three to give Hope their first lead since the first minute of the second half. Wourman immediately stole the inbounds pass and Mims smartly backed the ball out to kill clock, maintain momentum, and be patient for a good shot. But the shot clock was erroneously set to 20 seconds instead of giving Hope the full 30 on change of possession. No one seemed to notice this--Hope coaches, players, refs, announcers, anyone. As a result of the erroneous shot clock, Hope never got into their offense and Mims (a 26% three point shooter) had to force up a three as the shot clock ran down. He missed, Hope fouled on the rebound, and Albion tied the game from the line with 1:34 left. Hope did not score again and lost by two on Albion's buzzer beating putback. In any loss you can point to a million things, but in hindsight 10 more seconds of clock usage and one more potential quality shot attempt loomed pretty large.

Calvin and Hope have momentum going in different directions right now, but it's been a real fine line and Calvin would do well to not take Hope lightly on Saturday.

Yes, I believe that is supposed to be a 30-second reset even though possession was gained in the frontcourt (Rule 2-11.6.b.1).

Everyone who had Calvin going 4-0 in the stretch of at Hope, Alma at home, at Trine, and Hope at home, raise your hand.

Trine 92 Adrian 65.

Really great defense by the Thunder in the first half, limiting the Bulldogs to 19 points on 23% shooting.  Second half both teams played even as Trine didn't have the same defensive mindset, it's hard to maintain that intensity with a big lead.  Balanced scoring with Tucker leading the Thunder with 22 points.  He's having a tremendous year, should easily be first team MIAA.  Love seeing his confidence grow, his mid range game is really good, most guys these days don't shoot the 10-15 foot jump shot, which is where Tucker thrives.  Megnanglo, Smith and Cusack also in double figures.  Moore in street clothes on the bench in a boot.  He was injured in the last 5 minutes of the Calvin game but continued to play.  I'm guessing today was just a 'rest day', but don't know for certain if it's more serious or not.

This crazy conference schedule now works against Trine, 5 of the last 6 games on the road beginning at Hope on Wednesday and ending at Calvin on Feb 22.  Calvin won today, so my guess is that they win out leading up to the game against Trine.  Trine would have to win all 6 to get home court advantage in the MIAA tournament.  That will be a tall task.

Quote from: BigBallBoy on January 30, 2025, 09:39:01 AMLooking a bit at other stats from Hope-Albion - Hope's second half had them scoring 0 points off turnovers and only 2 fast-break points.  When half-court offense is struggling those are important areas to try to maximize...Thankfully Hope's 15 second-half second chance points kept them in the game.  It goes to show how Albion was able to get and keep (for the most part) the lead until the nail-biting end.

Hope plays slow, boring basketball pretty consistently.  We saw it again today.  Hold up and let the defense get set so we can run our ineffective, slow half court offense without many natural scorers.  Painful.