WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Here's my statistical comparison of Hope and Marymount

Offense	% 2pt	% 3pt	% FT
Hope	46	32.2	70.7
Marymount	42.9	32.7	70.2
Defense	% 2pt	% 3pt
Hope	34.6	24.3
Marymount	36.9	28.9
Rebounding	Team	Opp	Margin
Hope	43.5	38.4	5.1
Marymount	39.8	32.9	6.9
Scoring	Team	Opp	Margin
Hope	74.7	51.4	23.3
Marymount	65.4	46.8	18.6
3 point shooting	Attempts	Made	Made/game
Hope	556	179	6
Marymount	538	176	6.1
Blocks	Total	per game
Hope	190	6.3
Marymount	72	2.5
Steals	Total	per game
Hope	486	16.2
Marymount	257	8.9
Turnovers	Total	per game
Hope	562	18.7
Marymount	495	17.1
Assists	Total	per game
Hope	457	15.2
Marymount	401	13.8
Assist/Turnover
Hope	0.81
Marymount	0.81

[Erm Schmigget]

Thanks for doing this again, FDF.

Looking at these numbers last night and again just now, I get the impression that Hope plays at a higher level of intensity.  Stronger defensive numbers (shooting, blocks, steals), but also more scoring and rebounds per game for both themselves and their opponents.  Hope has more turnovers, but also more assists (note the equal a/to ratio).  If Hope can play their game, force the tempo, and hit their shots like they have in the past several game, I believe Marymount will be sent packin' after one night.

Of course, we wouldn't want our ladies to be TOO confident.  WORK HARD, DUTCH!!   

[iwumichigander]

Thanks also FDF.  On paper, Marymount a fairly close match-up to Hope.  Marymount has made 15 years of post season NCAA tournament including 2008 and 2009.  Coach Bill Finney has been at Marymount 27 years and announced his intention to retire at the end of this season.  It is a solid program.

I think Hope has an edge on the defensive side of the ball.  And, it sure looks to me that Hope plays the stronger schedule.  With four seniors and a grad student, no lack of experience here.

[iwumichigander]

Some info for Hope fans driving to Bloomington -

Here is the NCAA.com link for the tournament http://www.ncaa.com/sports/w-baskbl/champpage/w-baskbl-div3-index.html

You will find info on ticketing, seating, the Shirk Center and area restaurants on this website. 

If you are driving once you turn south of Joliet, Ill. watch your speed limit.  Illinois finest particularly like the area where you turn south on I-55 from I-80; and, 20 miles north of Bloomington on I-55 all  the way to the exits.

IWU Spring Break starts Friday, March 12th.  Parking should not be a problem on campus.  There is a large parking lot next to the Shirk; and, another lot across the seat by Hansen Student Center and IWU Physical Facilities Plant.  A .pdf file of the parking lots can be found on the NCAA.com link (above).

If you have questions, post them here.  I'll check back; and, if I don't know the answer will try to find the info for you.

[Hwbb]

Some info for Hope fans driving to Bloomington -

If you are driving once you turn south of Joliet, Ill. watch your speed limit.  Illinois finest particularly like the area where you turn south on I-55 from I-80; and, 20 miles north of Bloomington on I-55 all  the way to the exits.

Thanks for the traffic tips. And amidst all the restaurants we could go to in Michigan (or anywhere else), what's the best local eating place??

[wwjjdd]

In the Department of "For What It's Worth," I have it on good authority that the Hope fan bus will be staying in Peoria (ca. 35 miles away) because they were not able to secure lodging in Bloomington.   

[jspiii]

I'm on the fan bus but I haven't heard where we are staying.

[almcguirejr]

In the Department of "For What It's Worth," I have it on good authority that the Hope fan bus will be staying in Peoria (ca. 35 miles away) because they were not able to secure lodging in Bloomington.  

The 1A & 2A boys bball state shampionships are in Peoria this weekend.  Maybe able to take in extra game or 2 Sat. morning if Hope wins. 

[iwumichigander]

In the Department of "For What It's Worth," I have it on good authority that the Hope fan bus will be staying in Peoria (ca. 35 miles away) because they were not able to secure lodging in Bloomington.  

The 1A & 2A boys bball state shampionships are in Peoria this weekend.  Maybe able to take in extra game or 2 Sat. morning if Hope wins. 

State Championship might explain the lodging challenge in Bloomington this weekend; and, team hotels have likely been blocked out in Bloomington-Normal for some time.  I checked hotels.com last night and still lodging available in Bloomington.  But Marriott, Holiday Inn and Double Tree all whom have multiple properties seem to be sold out.  If you are contemplating IHSA state championship I'd call ahead and see if tickets still available.

[Hoosier Titan]

With regards to food in Bloomington-Normal:

Depends on what you like.  Most chain restaurants are there.  Many people's favorite nicer restaurant in town is Biaggi's, a northern Italian restaurant on Veterans' Parkway (reservations strongly recommended).  For simpler red sauce Italian there are two Avanti's, one near the IWU campus on North Main Street and one out by the airport.  Within walking distance of campus there's Tobin's Pizza (and lots of other places). 

I don't just eat Italian food, honest!  Please, others, chime in.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Carrie Snikkers being considered for at least one AA team

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x1224402494/Hopes-Carrie-Snikkers-up-for-All-American-consideration

[Hoosier Titan]

In the Department of "For What It's Worth," I have it on good authority that the Hope fan bus will be staying in Peoria (ca. 35 miles away) because they were not able to secure lodging in Bloomington.  

The 1A & 2A boys bball state shampionships are in Peoria this weekend.  Maybe able to take in extra game or 2 Sat. morning if Hope wins. 

State Championship might explain the lodging challenge in Bloomington this weekend; and, team hotels have likely been blocked out in Bloomington-Normal for some time.  I checked hotels.com last night and still lodging available in Bloomington.  But Marriott, Holiday Inn and Double Tree all whom have multiple properties seem to be sold out.  If you are contemplating IHSA state championship I'd call ahead and see if tickets still available.

I just checked Travelocity.com and found about 30 hotels with availability in Bloomington-Normal.  That's not including the ones within a few minutes' drive in smaller towns such as Le Roy and El Paso.  Some places may be full, but rooms are available.

[iwumichigander]

Some info for Hope fans driving to Bloomington -

If you are driving once you turn south of Joliet, Ill. watch your speed limit.  Illinois finest particularly like the area where you turn south on I-55 from I-80; and, 20 miles north of Bloomington on I-55 all  the way to the exits.

Thanks for the traffic tips. And amidst all the restaurants we could go to in Michigan (or anywhere else), what's the best local eating place??

This link to a .pdf file on the NCAA.com site http://www.ncaa.com/graphics/champpage/Bloomington-Normal_Restaurants.pdf has a fairly extensive list.  Along Veterans Parkway (Bus I-55S exit 167) has lots of chain restaurants.

Some local non-chain favorites:
The Caboose 608 W. Seminary, Bloomington | 829.7895  (close to campus a favorite for IWU students and alumni; good food; reasonable prices; not fancy)

Schooner's 810 E. Grove, Bloomington | 829.6841 (local bar and grill; not expensive; popular post game location for IWU fans)

Avanti's Italian Restaurant
407 S. Main, Normal | 452.4436
Avanti's Italian Restaurant
3302 E. Empire, Bloomington | 662.4436
(More of a family type restaurant; reasonable; good food; Main St Normal location by Illinois State campus)

Tobin's Pizza 1513 N. Main, Bloomington | 828.0410  (within walking distance of Shirk Center; a long time Bloomington family restaurant; nothing fancy pizza, chicken, Italian - also does take out)

Alexander's Steakhouse 1503 E. College, Normal | 454.7300 (Good food but not inexpensive; reservations might be a good idea)

Outback Steakhouse 1409 N. Veterans, Bloomington | 663.0455 (its Outback)

Hoosier Titan also posted some good suggestions.

[iwumichigander]

In the Department of "For What It's Worth," I have it on good authority that the Hope fan bus will be staying in Peoria (ca. 35 miles away) because they were not able to secure lodging in Bloomington.  

I
The 1A & 2A boys bball state shampionships are in Peoria this weekend.  Maybe able to take in extra game or 2 Sat. morning if Hope wins. 

State Championship might explain the lodging challenge in Bloomington this weekend; and, team hotels have likely been blocked out in Bloomington-Normal for some time.  I checked hotels.com last night and still lodging available in Bloomington.  But Marriott, Holiday Inn and Double Tree all whom have multiple properties seem to be sold out.  If you are contemplating IHSA state championship I'd call ahead and see if tickets still available.

I just checked Travelocity.com and found about 30 hotels with availability in Bloomington-Normal.  That's not including the ones within a few minutes' drive in smaller towns such as Le Roy and El Paso.  Some places may be full, but rooms are available.

Thanks HT!  I'm not seeing any events on the local calendars that would clog up the hotels (other than those blocked for NCAA tournament); it could be high schools have blocked rooms due to the State Championship in Peoria.  Bottom line - even though web site may show hotels full - it might be worth a telephone call directly to the property.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

I can't imagine Blo-No hotels would be filled up because of the IHSA tourney in Peoria. Peoria is 45 minutes away and has more than enough lodging.