WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[WWWRHH]

It is important to remember a few things about Albion:  they are a very good team, their post players are tall and  may be the most comprable to Hope's in terms of effectiveness that the Dutch have encountered this year, and they are always extremely tough at home.

And then there were a few things that put Hope in a tough situation that day.  Carrie Snikkers was out with an injury, Stacy Warsen (1 rbd / 2 pts) was still suffering from her ankle injury (no more tubing for a while) and Lange was in foul trouble much of the time and eventually fouled out.  Due to the injuries and fouls Hope never was able to really go big.   

The Brits had been beat by Alma three days before and a victory would have put them back in the NCAA tourney chase.  Albion came out hot and shot 50% the first half and the Dutch were down quickly, but like NW Hope Fan said they showed a lot of heart that day. 

The Dutch will probably meet the Britons next Saturday and I expect that Albion will be fired up.  Their season will be on the line.  But this time Warsen is healthy, Snikkers is back and the Dutch are at home.

[Erm Schmigget]

WWWRHH:  nice summation to put that game into perspective.  I remembered Snikkers' injury, but forgot about Warsen's, and didn't realize Lange fouled out.  (I suppose a quick look at the box score would have revealed that.    ).  That many woes for Hope's post position probably won't converge in one game again, and as has been mentioned, the rest of the team worked it out just fine by the final buzzer.  Other teams should not weigh that game too heavily when they prepare to face Hope, other than to take into account the kind of adversity they faced and still came out victorious.

[gohope]

I think you've hit the nail on the head in regards to Mo's success with different play styles. Try defending Lange in the post on the first rotation, Snikkers in the post and out on the arc in the second, then Knox in the post in the third rotation. What a handful! Can you imagine what teams must be thinking?

And what's even more fun, Coach Mo has been playing both Snikkers AND Knox together in the "2nd Wave" rotation!!  Many coaches at that point are looking for the white flag to wave!!

[ChicagoHopeNut]

I think a MIAA championship game against either Albion or Calvin would prove a nice challenge for Hope. However, the fact Albion or Calvin would likely have to play the other one the day before would create a serious issue.

I have to say while I am rooting for a perfect season from Hope I certainly would like to see Albion sneak into the NCAA tourney as a Pool C. I really think they are team capable of making a serious run in the tourney if they can just get in.

[AlwaysHope]

I was not at the Hope women's game on Sat., so my remarks are based on looking at the boxscore and reading various accounts of the game.

Did anyone notice Carrie Snickers' performance?  Offensively she was only 1 for 6 from the field, for a total of 2 points.  But in only 14 minutes of playing time she lead all players with 10 rebounds.  Even more amazing is that of the 13 blocks by both teams in the game, she had seven, or just over half; so her blocks exceeded the sum of all the other players!  I would suspect that she also altered or discouraged a few shots near the basket in her limited playing time.

[WWWRHH]

Snkkers did a great job on defense even though her offense has not really found its rhythm since her return from injury.  However, she worked hard and kept her head in the game.  The Dutch defensive scheme is relatively complicated vs. the straight up man-to-man played at the high school level and it looks like she is beginning to get comfortable with both playing the help side and trusting her team mates to back her up.

Carrie was not the only post to squeeze some stats into a few minutes.  Lange scored 7 pts and had 8 rbds. in 14 minutes and Knox had 9 rbds., 13 pts. and a block in 11 minutes.  So the 3 big players combined for 27 rbds., 22 pts., and 8 blks in only 39 minutes.  It will be interesting to see how Morehouse uses them when the games get tighter. 

Moving on to another position, it is amazing how quickly Boles can rack up the points when she gets hot.

[Preto]

Heard today if one of Tuesday's games are postponed, all will be postponed to double headers on Wednesday.

[sac]

Heard today if one of Tuesday's games are postponed, all will be postponed to double headers on Wednesday.

I'm kind of doubting St. Mary's can pull off a men's/women's double header.   I'm more confident in Hope, Albion and Calvin.

TSU over Kzoo tonight 80-70 so TSU travels to Hope.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Heard today if one of Tuesday's games are postponed, all will be postponed to double headers on Wednesday.

I'm kind of doubting St. Mary's can pull off a men's/women's double header. 

Sure - some MIAA men's team vs Notre Dame - sounds like fun - although CM might be conflicted about it   

[gohope]

Heard today if one of Tuesday's games are postponed, all will be postponed to double headers on Wednesday.

I'm kind of doubting St. Mary's can pull off a men's/women's double header. 

Sure - some MIAA men's team vs Notre Dame - sounds like fun - although CM might be conflicted about it   

I think that would be a GREAT test just to see where CM's true colors really lie!!!   

[WWWRHH]

Nice article in the Holland Sentinel about Hope's guards strong defensive play.  In his blog, Dan D'Addona also discusses the importance of the guards defense in creating the transition offense that distinguishes the Dutch from most women's teams.

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/022608/localsports_20080226038.shtml

http://blogs.hollandsentinel.com/dan/

Perhaps Hope's slow starts are the result of figuring out the opponents tendencies, then breaking them down defensively in order to play the game on the Dutch's terms.  Few teams will have the staminia to stay with Hope for forty minutes. 

[mjfasteenwolf]

Nice article in the Holland Sentinel about Hope's guards strong defensive play.  In his blog, Dan D'Addona also discusses the importance of the guards defense in creating the transition offense that distinguishes the Dutch from most women's teams.

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/022608/localsports_20080226038.shtml

http://blogs.hollandsentinel.com/dan/

Perhaps Hope's slow starts are the result of figuring out the opponents tendencies, then breaking them down defensively in order to play the game on the Dutch's terms.  Few teams will have the staminia to stay with Hope for forty minutes. 

Thanks for the links, it is nice to see someone is noticing the intense defense that Hopes guards play. Their defense makes it almost impossible for opposing guards to get comfortable.

[Civic Minded]

Heard today if one of Tuesday's games are postponed, all will be postponed to double headers on Wednesday.

I'm kind of doubting St. Mary's can pull off a men's/women's double header. 

Sure - some MIAA men's team vs Notre Dame - sounds like fun - although CM might be conflicted about it   

I think that would be a GREAT test just to see where CM's true colors really lie!!!   

Oh, c'mon, y'all!   Orange and Blue trumps all, including FDF if push comes to shove! 8)

[Civic Minded]

Isn't it game time yet?!?    

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Heard today if one of Tuesday's games are postponed, all will be postponed to double headers on Wednesday.

I'm kind of doubting St. Mary's can pull off a men's/women's double header. 

Sure - some MIAA men's team vs Notre Dame - sounds like fun - although CM might be conflicted about it   

I think that would be a GREAT test just to see where CM's true colors really lie!!!   

Oh, c'mon, y'all!   Orange and Blue trumps all, including FDF if push comes to shove! 8)

Say what?