WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[jspiii]

Hope 80 Wittenberg 49

Hope starters averaged only 15 minutes of play. To Wittenberg's defense, they were playing without their Conference 1st teamer Sarah Boardman, away for an interview to medical school.

I'm not sure I agree with Wittenberg's 1st half plan of trying to go inside on Hope. It did create some offensive rebounds for Wittenberg, which they missed and gave Hope many blocked shots and turnovers. Wittenberg didn't score a FG until about 8 minutes into the game. Hope was outrebounded (44-39) but i wouldn't read too much into that.

Good effort from 6' freshman Kussmaul (15 points & leading scorer). In warm-ups last Tuesday, I had noticed she had a nice outside shot beyond the arc and she isn't afraid to mix it up inside.

[Mr. Ypsi]

#6 IWU took down #1 WashU Saturday evening.  Will Hope rise to #2, or will IWU jump a whole bunch of teams?

[hope1]

i dont know hope looked pretty good vs wittt saturday

[WWWRHH]

Hope 80 Wittenberg 49

To Wittenberg's defense, they were playing without their Conference 1st teamer Sarah Boardman, away for an interview to medical school.......Hope was outrebounded (44-39) but i wouldn't read too much into that.

This year most of Hope's post players seem to be more comfortable on the wing where their outside shooting and ball handling skills create some tough match ups for other teams less athletic bigs.

In most games, the Dutch's defense and offensive prowess will easily blow other teams away. 

However, looking ahead, I think Saturday's rebounding stats point to potential trouble against teams like Calvin, probable Christmas break match-up Chicago and maybe St. Mary's.

If you let a team with big, talented post players pull as many offensive rebounds as Wittenberg did (even without last year's leading rebounder Boardman available) the games could become a lot closer.  A couple of Wittenberg's inside players were, how shall I put it, vertically challenged and it was farily easy for the Dutch to recover by blocking their put backs.

I am pretty sure crashing the boards hard and grabbing more rebounds is a focus in practice and some of the younger players will get better quickly.

If the Dutch can maintain a positve rebounding margin to go along with their disruptive defense and ability to score from anyplace, anytime this year's edition looks to be comparable to any of the previous four editions.

[Dark Knight]

	Scoring	Rebounds	FG%	Blocks	Min
Snikkers	12.7	6.3	.500	8	17
Verkaik	13.3	8.0	.586	5	23

[Flying Dutch Fan]

How about these

Turnovers
Snikkers - 5
VerKaik - 7

Steals
Snikkers - 7
VerKaik - 3

Fouls
Snikkers - 5
VerKaik - 9

Yes, at this point of the season, these are as meaningless as the ones DK posted.

[calvinhoops]

The knights had their opening game today against Cornerstone, who were 23-8 last year and have played 3 games already this year. I wasn't expecting a lot -- key players have graduated and there are 6 freshmen on the varsity team.

However, after a rocky first couple of minutes and some first-game defensive lapses and missed rebounds, Calvin ended up winning 69-50.

The big story was 6'2" freshman center Verkaik, who scored 21 points on 9/10 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds. That's pretty amazing for a first college game -- she's apparently the real deal.

[calvinhoops]

The Calvin team is deep.  4 freshmen play solid minutes.  Verkaik, Hilbrands, Wolfiss and Irwin.  They can play inside and outside.  I think Cornerstone was caught off guard.  They didn't know who the freshmen were and what they could do.  It will be a very interesting year for Calvin as they have great senior leaders, experienced sophomores and from what I can see, a super frosh class.  The only question is how does Ross manage it all and keep everyone sharp.  He has to be 10 deep.  Kids like Carter can't even find playing time.

[Erm Schmigget]

How about these

Turnovers
Snikkers - 5
VerKaik - 7

Steals
Snikkers - 7
VerKaik - 3

Fouls
Snikkers - 5
VerKaik - 9

Yes, at this point of the season, these are as meaningless as the ones DK posted.

Does anybody with a sweet tooth start to get a little hungry when they read this post?

[calvinhoops]

#6 IWU took down #1 WashU Saturday evening.  Will Hope rise to #2, or will IWU jump a whole bunch of teams?

When does the new rankings come out?

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Next d3hoops poll would be next Tuesday.

USA Today poll released yesterday has Hope #1

[calvinhoops]

Next d3hoops poll would be next Tuesday.

USA Today poll released yesterday has Hope #1

I can't find that on their website.  The poll is dated Nov. 4 and Hope isn't #1.  What is the link??  Thanks

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I haven't found it either, other than to hear from various other sources that the poll was released and Hope was #1.

[Dark Knight]

Two comfortable wins for the Knights this weekend. Carissa Verkaik chalked up 26 points, 14 rebounds and 4 block in the first game and 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the second.

The season is young, but she's second in scoring, at 17.8 ppg; second in rebounding, at 10; second in FG%, at .524, and second in blocks, at 2.8/g The leaders in those categories are all different--so if she can keep putting up stats like that she'll be a strong contender for league MVP.

[Dark Knight]

Neither Calvin nor Hope really has a very challenging schedule this year. Hope has a possible game against #14 Chicago, but that's it for rated teams. Calvin's schedule is almost as easy; they plays #3 Hope, but those are Calvin's only games against opponents that are currently ranked.

If Hope makes a long run into the NCAA tournament again this year, I wonder if the small number of games against top teams will hurt them?