WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[monsoon]

The video is really good. 

I'll take your word for it. 

I'm having trouble with the video, too, sac.  WHTC's audio feed is working fine, though.

[NW Hope Fan]

I've had issues with video, but right now it looks great! 

The camera work could be a little better, but I shouldn't complain...

[NW Hope Fan]

64-60 Witt... if you are interested.

[monsoon]

64-60 Witt... if you are interested.

Thanks!

[sac]

Way to go Dutch ..........woooohooooo.

[monsoon]

Hope wins!  Hope wins!  59-56

[NW Hope Fan]

Way to go Dutch... Bring home another banner!

[Roughrider]

Congrats to the Hope Flying Dutch on a great semi-final win at Springfield.   

Good luck tomorrow.   

Roughrider

[hope1]

way to go hope girls  bring home the trophy and the flag   for the new arena go hope saturday

[Josh Bowerman]

Great fan support, exciting game.  Congrats to Hope on a well-deserved win.  Good luck against USM tomorrow, and don't forget to check out the photo galleries when you get back to Holland.

Oh, I almost forgot.  Bria Ebels may be one of the best DIII women's player I have ever seen.  She's definitely a DI-calibre player, and really exciting to watch.

[realist]

Way to go flying Dutch.  Gosh pulling for the orange and blue can almost be as hard on the heart as maroon and gold.  Was a bit nervous at the half.  I wasn't going to comment on the langage.  Don't want my new best friend f_l quoting anymore scripture!!
S. Maine looked like a very well coached, and capable team.  I think the Flying Dutch have the team to handle them as long as they keep the turnovers down.  Also need to hit the ones at the stripe.
No problem with the video at anytime.  New computer with Media package and broadband may have helped.  We get spoiled watching D1 ballgames.  Let's just be thankful we get what we get on the video feed.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Back in the hotel room after a nice dinner (following getting lost in Springfield trying to get back to our hotel).

The arena is so-so - jam packed, hotter then heck, and there is almost 0 leg room in the bleachers.  Not very comfortable when you've just come 800 miles in the car - but then a win in the semi's makes all pain disappear.

Hope played inspired defense, and I think did a great job holding #12 to 16 points or so - only 2 at the half.  The offense seemed to struggle, but just like she has done for four years, Bria took over when it mattered most.  She is an unbelievable player, and I think the best basketball athlete in the entire MIAA - men included.    Her quickness alone changes games.

In the first game, Southern Maine looked ready to blow-out HS, but the Cowgirls fought back to make it a real game.  Tomorrows games should be great.

TRIVIA - Hope College Basketball (M or W) is now 4-0 in national semi-finals!

[realist]

FDF: Hard to tell much about the facility from the video feed.  It did look like you were packed in there pretty tight.  The announcers commented how full the place was when Hope and Scranton fans really started showing up.  Not surprised to hear it was warm also.  It will be interesting to see how Hope does tomorrow.  Like the opening page says, they have already beat 2,3,4,10, and 17 to get where they are.  Now is not the time to get worried.
You are right about Bria E.  She definitely was most impressive player there today.  I know she did the same thing to Calvin about 3 times this year.  I think the D3hoops.com people are eating just a little crow for the lack of respect the Flying Dutch, and the entire MIAA have gotten this year.

[Civic Minded]

Well, the heartstoppers continue!  

First of all, wish you were here Sac and hope1!  But heck, I'm just glad to be here myself, since that nasty cough nearly had me in the hospital.

Springfield, Springfield...the birthplace of basketball.  The city violently opposed to street signs.  What a convoluted, confusing mess.  Ah well, you get used to it after a while.  From my hotel I can see the multi-colored glow of a giant half-dome -- the Basketball Hall of Fame.  Don't know if we'll venuture over there or not, but it sure is impressive from the outside.

Great game by the Dutch.  Really, they are just amazing this year.  Even with a very talented Scranton team, they are able to create open looks, disrupt their opponent's game, and cause turnovers with nearly every opportunity.  Tonight it was a combination of Bria's speed and agility, and Megan's uncanny sense of awareness that kept them going.  A time or two it seemed that they forgot that they were a team, but quickly got back into the flow that has brought them so far this year.  Can't wait until tomorrow!

As to the fans (you know you're all curious!)   :  No complaints here.  The team from Texas was well represented, with probably about 350 fans.  Their biggest "attraction" was that their fans who were in body paint in their team colors of purple and gold were....girls!  Yup, shorts, sports bras, and paint.  They were enthusiastic, bordering on Ellen Wood loud (you know what I mean), and fun.  Same for the fans from USM and Scranton.  Yes, there was one "B.S." cheer from the Scranton crowd early in the game, priest and all (no, I don't know if he joined in <grin>), but it didn't happen after that.  It was all really positive from all of the team's fans.  In fact, it was kind of odd.  Even in situations where fans of all types would have taken advantage (i.e. "airball" shots), there really wasn't much heart in it from any side.  It was as if, at this level, this close to the championship game, that no one had the heart to belittle the players.  I will admit that I gave a weak "they're not playing" when a Scranton player threw the ball out of bounds, but it just didn't feel right to "pick on" someone playing so hard.

At any rate, it was a good time in Springfield, topped off by a cool beverage at the local pub.  Here's to a great tomorrow!

[albinomascot19]

Great win for the ladies!  They were able to pull through with a close win over Scranton.  One more huddle to clear, for the hardware....up next in the championship game the Flying Dutch have to face the always dangerous Southern Maine.  Should be quite a game.  Lets Go Hope!