WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[oldknight]

The Knights were great on both sides of the court, leading Olivet 72-27 six minutes into the second half. Olivet didn't give up, though, and made up some ground by the end of the game. Calvin ended up winning 88-54. The Knights hit 60% of their shots including 15 of 26 three-pointers.

Last year the Knights had trouble getting the ball inside with Lang there, and it was still difficult last night, but they pass well enough and quickly enough that they worked it inside a few times and ended up with 18 points in the paint.

Reid and Lang finished terrific careers for Olivet, with Lang ending up as their all-time leading shot blocker (109), second in scoring (1208), and third in rebounding (772).

This year's Calvin squad is fun to watch because they pass so dang well in addition to pressing and running the whole game. They keep passing it around until someone has a high-percentage shot. They're leading the nation in assists per game.

The Lady Knights really are an amazing team, one I never would have predicted would go undefeated during the regular season. They've done it without a dominant post player or even a true superstar (Breanna Verkaik probably comes closest). They do have a ton of very good players who--as you correctly note--pass the ball very well allowing them to get the ball inside for easy baskets even against teams with a good post. These women also are exceptionally reliable outside shooters which makes their inside-outside game a joy to watch and difficult to stop. Playing a high tempo game that forces a lot of possessions only enhances their advantage on most teams. If there is one player who personifies this team's nature it's Anna Timmer, the daughter of Calvin's AD. She doesn't dominate any category but simply does everything well and combines a cerebral approach to the game with great temperament while being highly competitive.

[Roundball999]

The Knights were great on both sides of the court, leading Olivet 72-27 six minutes into the second half. Olivet didn't give up, though, and made up some ground by the end of the game. Calvin ended up winning 88-54. The Knights hit 60% of their shots including 15 of 26 three-pointers.

Last year the Knights had trouble getting the ball inside with Lang there, and it was still difficult last night, but they pass well enough and quickly enough that they worked it inside a few times and ended up with 18 points in the paint.

Reid and Lang finished terrific careers for Olivet, with Lang ending up as their all-time leading shot blocker (109), second in scoring (1208), and third in rebounding (772).

This year's Calvin squad is fun to watch because they pass so dang well in addition to pressing and running the whole game. They keep passing it around until someone has a high-percentage shot. They're leading the nation in assists per game.

The Lady Knights really are an amazing team, one I never would have predicted would go undefeated during the regular season. They've done it without a dominant post player or even a true superstar (Breanna Verkaik probably comes closest). They do have a ton of very good players who--as you correctly note--pass the ball very well allowing them to get the ball inside for easy baskets even against teams with a good post. These women also are exceptionally reliable outside shooters which makes their inside-outside game a joy to watch and difficult to stop. Playing a high tempo game that forces a lot of possessions only enhances their advantage on most teams. If there is one player who personifies this team's nature it's Anna Timmer, the daughter of Calvin's AD. She doesn't dominate any category but simply does everything well and combines a cerebral approach to the game with great temperament while being highly competitive.

No doubt the Lady Knights have made huge strides.  They were good last year with virutally the same roster, but have taken it to an entirely different level this year.  Not sure if it's just more familiarity with the new system Coach Ross installed before last year, or if its that the player themselves improved significantly.  Probably a combination of both.  As a Hope fan and setting aside the Rivalry for a moment, congrats to the lady Knights for a fabulous season to date.  It's only a good thing for the MIAA to have such a strong team among its ranks.  That said - Go Hope! 

[Roundball999]

Massey give Calvin a 78% win probability today, predicted score 70-61.  Sounds about right to me, unless the Dutch have one of their games shooting in the 20% range as they've done a couple of times recently; then I think it might be a bit uglier.  If they can hit 40% or better, then I think it goes down to the wire.

[DBQ1965]

Game time for the women and Van Nord looks to be 1/3 full.  Judging by the orange I see, Hope has a good contingent here.

[realist]

Game time for the women and Van Nord looks to be 1/3 full.  Judging by the orange I see, Hope has a good contingent here.

That is the one draw back to a large arena.  They had 1328 at the Wed. night game on the 18th so it should be a tad higher today.
Most D3 schools would die to play in front of a crowd of 1500.

By my calculations B. Verkaik should be joining the 1,000 point club pretty soon if she hasn't already.

[wiz]

Congratulations Lady Knights on winning the MIAA tournament and picking up the automatic qualifier.  A perfect 27-0 and counting.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I follow the women in the MIAA and CCIW, but nationally not nearly as closely as the men.  Am I correct in assuming that Hope is still a near-lock for gaining a C into the tourney?

[Roundball999]

I follow the women in the MIAA and CCIW, but nationally not nearly as closely as the men.  Am I correct in assuming that Hope is still a near-lock for gaining a C into the tourney?

Should be, but you never know.  Combined losses of the teams that beat Hope is 3 for the year.

[DBQ1965]

Game time for the women and Van Nord looks to be 1/3 full.  Judging by the orange I see, Hope has a good contingent here.

That is the one draw back to a large arena.  They had 1328 at the Wed. night game on the 18th so it should be a tad higher today.
Most D3 schools would die to play in front of a crowd of 1500.

By my calculatio

ns B. Verkaik should be joining the 1,000 point club pretty soon if she hasn't already.

Right ...the lower bowl at Van Noord seats more than the Stoltz Sport's Center bball court at my alma mater.  Tonight I get to see the men go at it.  I expect the place to be rockin'.

[calvin_grad]

Assuming they keep winning, what will the committee do since Calvin hosts the Final Four?  I can't believe they would let them stay home for all 3 weekends.  Home this coming weekend, then away for the Sweet Sixteen?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Assuming they keep winning, what will the committee do since Calvin hosts the Final Four?  I can't believe they would let them stay home for all 3 weekends.  Home this coming weekend, then away for the Sweet Sixteen?

IIRC, that is what happened when IWU was the host and had credentials to host non-stop.  I, too, doubt they would allow a team to NEVER leave home.

UPDATE: I stand corrected.  In 2010, IWU hosted the FF and would have played all games at home if they hadn't laid an egg against UWSP in the third round.  (They finished the season 28-2, so had the credentials for hosting.  With so many undefeated teams in the general geographical vicinity, I don't know if Calvin would always host anyway, but apparently there is no precedent against it - unless others complained about 2010 and they would never do it again! )

[oldknight]

Calvin's stirring 4 point win over Hope was the best game action I've seen this year--even better than the mindboggling comeback in the men's game. I say so for several reasons. The game was a contrast in and matchup of styles: Could Hope's superior size overcome Calvin's superior abilities in the full court game? The answer was becoming painfully obvious during the first half action--Calvin's strengths were able to overcome Hope's. Brian Morehouse knew it too and made the best strategy decision on the fly I've seen in a long time. Morehouse realized he had to inject speed into his lineup and went with a rotation of smaller, quicker players, the three non-starters, Madison, Sudberry and Smith, in order to do so. It nearly worked as that trio was better equipped to the demands of the full court game Calvin was imposing on Hope. Those three players would go on to score 35 points and turn a game that was destined to be a rout into a nailbiter. Calvin still got turnovers off  the press but it turned the game into an interesting chess match. Kudos to the Lady Knights who never wavered even as Hope crept up in striking range. The play of he game occurred in the closing seconds. With Calvin clinging to a two point lead, Abby Springer snatched Englehard's missed free throw out of McAfee's hands to maintain the possession for the Lady Knights. Congrats to both teams for putting on a terrific performance.

[Roundball999]

Calvin's stirring 4 point win over Hope was the best game action I've seen this year--even better than the mindboggling comeback in the men's game. I say so for several reasons. The game was a contrast in and matchup of styles: Could Hope's superior size overcome Calvin's superior abilities in the full court game? The answer was becoming painfully obvious during the first half action--Calvin's strengths were able to overcome Hope's. Brian Morehouse knew it too and made the best strategy decision on the fly I've seen in a long time. Morehouse realized he had to inject speed into his lineup and went with a rotation of smaller, quicker players, the three non-starters, Madison, Sudberry and Smith, in order to do so. It nearly worked as that trio was better equipped to the demands of the full court game Calvin was imposing on Hope. Those three players would go on to score 35 points and turn a game that was destined to be a rout into a nailbiter. Calvin still got turnovers off  the press but it turned the game into an interesting chess match. Kudos to the Lady Knights who never wavered even as Hope crept up in striking range. The play of he game occurred in the closing seconds. With Calvin clinging to a two point lead, Abby Springer snatched Englehard's missed free throw out of McAfee's hands to maintain the possession for the Lady Knights. Congrats to both teams for putting on a terrific performance.

It really was a fabulous game, both teams should be proud.  Calvin for standing strong and fending off Hope's comeback attempts and Hope for showing great persistence and resolution even when falling behind by 17 on its rivals court.  I also think Morehouse made a good move when he switched defensive standout Hannah Doell onto Breanna Verkaik in the 2nd half.  Breanna had torched the Dutch for 17 in the first half but was held to 4 in the second.  Coach Ross also deserves huge kudos, the new system he installed last year in recognition of his roster's strengths has really paid off.

It will be interesting to see what the NCAA does with Calvin hosting in the early rounds.  They certainly have earned it.  But I recall two years ago when Hope was hosting the Final Four but was sent on the road in the early rounds despite entering the tournament with only one loss.  Seems to me the committee is loathe to the possibility of a team hosting all the way through.

[realist]

Game time for the women and Van Nord looks to be 1/3 full.  Judging by the orange I see, Hope has a good contingent here.

That is the one draw back to a large arena.  They had 1328 at the Wed. night game on the 18th so it should be a tad higher today.
Most D3 schools would die to play in front of a crowd of 1500.

By my calculations B. Verkaik should be joining the 1,000 point club pretty soon if she hasn't already.

Right ...the lower bowl at Van Noord seats more than the Stoltz Sport's Center bball court at my alma mater.  Tonight I get to see the men go at it.  I expect the place to be rockin'.

Attendance for yesterday's game is showing as 1521.  B. Verkiak did join the 1000 point club with her performance yesterday.

[bballfan13]

The D3hoops mock bracket has both Calvin (auto bid) and Hope (at large bid) in it.  They have Calvin hosting and Hope on the road.  It's really hard to get the correct teams in the correct pods in the mock bracket so I'm guessing these won't be the exact teams Calvin and Hope will face.  But they do get pretty close to who hosts and who goes on the road though.

Calvin Pod:

Calvin vs Transylvania
John Carroll vs St. John Fisher

----------

SUNY Geneseo Pod:

SUNY Geneseo vs Penn State-Abington
Wittenberg vs Hope

We'll find out what the bracket is later today at 2:30pm.