WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[WWWRHH]

the Flying Dutch have played very good basketball the last two games.  I think the close call last Saturday and some "encouragement" from the coaches fired them up big time. 

It is hard to believe the Belles team we saw today beat the Calvin team we saw last week. 

Hope's women are cruising past St. Mary's 39-22 at half. Sounds like Snikkers is dominating her counterpart and the Belles' leading scorer, Erin Newsome, outscoring her 14-4, and outboarding her 5-2.

Not to quibble....but the matchups were not that direct.  Those that don't watch this team often may not realize how difficult it is to score against Hope's primary rotation when the team is executing their defense the way they have this week.

Carrie had a great game - however, the Hope team had a great game.  As I have said before, I am not going to do a scouting report for future opponents, but if anyone thinks the key to beating this team is a singular focus on shutting down Snikkers they will be very disappointed with the outcome.  There are at least eight other players waiting to take advantage of that strategy and Carrie has proven that she is as happy beating you with 2 points as she is with thirty.

Carrie dominated defensively near the basket, but Knox drew the defensive assignment on Newsome and Bruinsma took it over when she was in the game.  Nothing new here, it appears to the extent possible Snikkers plays the paint and Knox plays the perimeter.  If Snikkers is out and Knox in, Knox takes the assignment most likely to keep her inside.  This allows the team to front aggresively and deny the ball to a primary scoring threat and if an opponent does penetrate the inside a big presence is there to provide help side defense.  In the end, the Belles posts, Newsome and Kammrath, finished with respectable stats, but my impression is that those numbers were accumulated primarily against the third unit.

The final stats are misleading. Hope's starting posts totally dominated the inside as they have most games.  Snikkers (20/10) and Knox (10/12)accumulated 30 points and 22 rebounds in 40 combined minutes.   Eight of Knox's rebounds were offensive and she went to the line 6 times on shooting fouls.  Cowen scored 12 in only 11 minutes, and Greene scored 10, had 2 steals and 3 blocks in 22 mins.  Kopke just made sure everything ran smoothly.  The Hope starters played 96 mins. , by contrast top ranked IWU played their starters 143 mins in CCIW title game.

Which brings me to my final point this evening.  Hope has few category leaders in the MIAA, although there are several Dutch players among the leaders in most categories.  But those stats are misleading because the Dutch starters barely average more than 20 mins a game and are ofter being compared to players that have played  far more minutes.  For instance, Hope has 4 players in the top 20 scorers, but no players in the top 20 minutes played.

I am a homer, but after watching Hope head to head against all the MIAA teams I think they have the best scorer (Snikkers), rebounder (Knox) defender (Greene) three point shooter (Cowen) "assister" (Kopke).  I hope that those selecting the all conference honorees take that into consideration.

This all comes down to now what the ncaa will do.  This is an odd year which means the girls should be home so time will tell....

With the #1 regional ranking and a strong conference tourney, I would be very surprised if Hope does not have home court advantage.  It will be interesting to see how so many top ranked mid-west team will be split up.  No matter who they face, I am sure a big crowd would encourage the team.  I really hope more students fill the stands next week.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

I would be shocked if Hope isn't hosting the first weekend. My concern is that due to geography Hope could end up playing at IWU the second weekend and you would have a potential 1 v. 2 match up before you get to the Final Four.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I would be shocked if Hope isn't hosting the first weekend. My concern is that due to geography Hope could end up playing at IWU the second weekend and you would have a potential 1 v. 2 match up before you get to the Final Four.

Yeah, I'm afraid that might happen.  (Though, since if they do separate them, IWU would have to play AT Hope, I suppose Hope having to come to the Shirk would only be fair! )

My dream match-up remains an IWU/Hope title game, but geography may trump that possibility.

[sac]

http://www.d3hoops.com/women-final-four/09/projected.htm

The d3hoops projection.

Hope hosting a 4 team pod of Washington and Jefferson, Capital and playing Brockport State.  I like the hosting part, the pairing doesn't make much sense to me, but we'll see.

[goodknight]

Although the on-court result was less than Calvin might have wished for this past weekend, word comes that Coach John Ross has brought into the fold his top recruit for next year to do battle with Ms. Snikkers rather than caddy for her for the next couple of years.

[fannie]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!  A chance to host a first round at HOPE!!!!!  :-)  WOO-HOO!!!!!

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Very happy to see that Hope and IWU are on opposite sides of the bracket. That said the pod at Hope on the first weekend looks tough (also glad it does not include DePauw, I was afraid of a tough match up there).

[Mr. Ypsi]

Very happy to see that Hope and IWU are on opposite sides of the bracket. That said the pod at Hope on the first weekend looks tough (also glad it does not include DePauw, I was afraid of a tough match up there).

DePauw plays at IWU in game 2 (IF they beat UWEC, and we don't lay an egg against OWU).

If all goes well, my dream match for the title IS possible!   (Though the Titans may have to beat all three WIAC teams, or rematches against DePauw and Wash U.)

[cmlundy]

Looking at the rosters it appears that Hope has a definite height advantage.  WJC has one player above 6-0. 

[Erm Schmigget]

I know I'm getting ahead of myself...

What are the chances of George Fox hosting if they win their first?  I'm particularly interested because I'm hoping Hope also will still be in it by then.  GF is undefeated and Hope has that one pesky loss, but that's not enough information to base that decision.  

I suppose GF hosting would probably be a longshot, but NWHopeFan would surely enjoy the chance to see the Flying Dutch right in his backyard.

Any insight would be helpful and appreciated.

[WWWRHH]

I know I'm getting ahead of myself...

What are the chances of George Fox hosting if they win their first?  I'm particularly interested because I'm hoping Hope also will still be in it by then.  GF is undefeated and Hope has that one pesky loss, but that's not enough information to base that decision.  

I suppose GF hosting would probably be a longshot, but NWHopeFan would surely enjoy the chance to see the Flying Dutch right in his backyard.

Any insight would be helpful and appreciated.

Even though George Fox may deserve to host, their D3 geographic isolation makes it unlikely.  It would mean the NCAA would likely have to spring for three second round plane trips it probably own't happen.

They are a tough team and when you look at what their coach has done with one senior and 10 freshman they can never be under estimated.  I think Hope and the other top D3 programs should get used to Fox becoming a periennial challenger.

[scottiedawg]

Very happy to see that Hope and IWU are on opposite sides of the bracket. That said the pod at Hope on the first weekend looks tough (also glad it does not include DePauw, I was afraid of a tough match up there).

This is all I could have asked for.  The toughest games for the Hope women will be their 3rd and 4th, especially if they have to go on the road.  Hope would've beaten MHB at Hope last year.  Hope fans already attend basketball unlike other schools in the country.  The home court advantage for the final four will be overwhelming.  I'm sure most other teams are used to a couple hundred fans at their games, even important ones.  They will be greeted by a 3000+ sea of orange, raucous and ready to add a second banner to the rafters.

[sac]

That bracket suggests at least 2 flights into the sweet 16 with a real possibility of 3 going somewhere if the right comibination of teams won.   If I had a guess, the Sweet 16 looks like somewhere in the South.


.......and once again the women dust the men in bracketology.

[hope1]

yes i think the 3rd round at george fox if hope gets by his round snikers is named  mvp of the league

[HopeConvert]

Very happy to see that Hope and IWU are on opposite sides of the bracket. That said the pod at Hope on the first weekend looks tough (also glad it does not include DePauw, I was afraid of a tough match up there).

This is all I could have asked for.  The toughest games for the Hope women will be their 3rd and 4th, especially if they have to go on the road.  Hope would've beaten MHB at Hope last year.  Hope fans already attend basketball unlike other schools in the country.  The home court advantage for the final four will be overwhelming.  I'm sure most other teams are used to a couple hundred fans at their games, even important ones.  They will be greeted by a 3000+ sea of orange, raucous and ready to add a second banner to the rafters.

Third.