WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[Roundball999]

Hope started the last game at Calvin shooting 2-18, even worse this time.  The Dutch have been shooting relatively poorly for the last 10 games or so, much lower % than earlier in the season.  That's not going to get it done against a team the caliber of Calvin.  Congrats to the Calvin ladies on a well deserved championship!

[oldknight]

Now that was unexpected. Not the Calvin win but how we got there. The defense was phenomenal, holding Hope to 5-35 in the opening half, and the Flying Dutch had to make three of their last five shots just to get to double digits in points at the break. If the Lady Knights had been clicking on offense it would have been worse but they only shot 12-34 themselves in the first 20 minutes. Carissa Verkaik seemed to have an ordinary game on offense, and her usually excellent free throw shooting deserted her (5-9) but she still nearly had a triple-double with 15 points, 19 rebounds and 9 blocks. What a performance. Liz Ellis really struggled for Hope (1-15) and Calvin's freshmen, Kayla Engelhard completely outplayed her at the point.

[wiz]

It just wasn't Hope's night, but they played with intensity throughout.  While they had difficulty with the baskets, I thought their defensee was strong and their ball movement was good.  Calvin's defense was suffocating and the team seemed to be  better prepared mentally.  Verkaik's footwork on both offense and defense is as good or better than any of the bigs in the MIAA, men or women.  Like the Hope men, the Calvin women should have some home court advantage for a while in the NCAA tournament.

[Hwbb]

In the second half, Hope went into dark-alley-mugging mode...

That assessment is as inaccurate as it is unfair to the players of both team. Yes, it was a physical second half, on both ends of the floor. But what team, facing a huge deficit against a superior opponent, sits back passively in a zone? Dark-alley-mugging? Not. even. close. Calvin is a terrific team, national championship caliber this season. They won by playing better. Over a team that fell behind big, but didn't quit playing hard.

[oldknight]

In the second half, Hope went into dark-alley-mugging mode...

That assessment is as inaccurate as it is unfair to the players of both team. Yes, it was a physical second half, on both ends of the floor. But what team, facing a huge deficit against a superior opponent, sits back passively in a zone? Dark-alley-mugging? Not. even. close. Calvin is a terrific team, national championship caliber this season. They won by playing better. Over a team that fell behind big, but didn't quit playing hard.

When your board name is Dark Knight, then Dark-alley-mugging may be more of an observation than a criticism.  The phrase might have been hyperbole but there's no doubt the Hope women went out of their way to push the envelope of physical play in the second half. You often see that happen when a good team finds themselves down 20 at the break. They try to get back in the game by playing more clutch and grab than normal, daring the refs to call them on it. Call it they did. The second half kind of had the feel for me of a Gus Macker or similar three-on-three event.

[ziggy]

In the second half, Hope went into dark-alley-mugging mode...

That assessment is as inaccurate as it is unfair to the players of both team. Yes, it was a physical second half, on both ends of the floor. But what team, facing a huge deficit against a superior opponent, sits back passively in a zone? Dark-alley-mugging? Not. even. close. Calvin is a terrific team, national championship caliber this season. They won by playing better. Over a team that fell behind big, but didn't quit playing hard.

When your board name is Dark Knight, then Dark-alley-mugging may be more of an observation than a criticism.  The phrase might have been hyperbole but there's no doubt the Hope women went out of their way to push the envelope of physical play in the second half. You often see that happen when a good team finds themselves down 20 at the break. They try to get back in the game by playing more clutch and grab than normal, daring the refs to call them on it. Call it they did. The second half kind of had the feel for me of a Gus Macker or similar three-on-three event.

We've seen that before, at least this time it didn't result in a blown-out knee for a Lady Knight.

[Roundball999]

One thing that has been unique about this rivalry is that players, coaches and fans are usually more gracious than most, before and after games, win or lose.  It would be unfortunate if that were spoiled.

Both teams played hard.  Congratulations to Calvin on a well deserved win and to both teams on fine seasons. 

[Happy Calvin Guy]

In the second half, Hope went into dark-alley-mugging mode...

That assessment is as inaccurate as it is unfair to the players of both team. Yes, it was a physical second half, on both ends of the floor. But what team, facing a huge deficit against a superior opponent, sits back passively in a zone? Dark-alley-mugging? Not. even. close. Calvin is a terrific team, national championship caliber this season. They won by playing better. Over a team that fell behind big, but didn't quit playing hard.

When your board name is Dark Knight, then Dark-alley-mugging may be more of an observation than a criticism.  The phrase might have been hyperbole but there's no doubt the Hope women went out of their way to push the envelope of physical play in the second half. You often see that happen when a good team finds themselves down 20 at the break. They try to get back in the game by playing more clutch and grab than normal, daring the refs to call them on it. Call it they did. The second half kind of had the feel for me of a Gus Macker or similar three-on-three event.

We've seen that before, at least this time it didn't result in a blown-out knee for a Lady Knight.

Great prep if we end up having to play U of Chicago in the NCAA's again.  I have a feeling that will be the biggest barrier in our side of the bracket.

[KnightSlappy]

Like the Hope men, the Calvin women should have some home court advantage for a while in the NCAA tournament.

I'm not so sure. I'd like to think they'd get the chance to host the first two rounds, but with Chicago, Mount Union, DePauw, UW-Stevens Point, and Wash U probably getting to host in the same range as Calvin, they might not even get a pod.

[sac]

Like the Hope men, the Calvin women should have some home court advantage for a while in the NCAA tournament.

I'm not so sure. I'd like to think they'd get the chance to host the first two rounds, but with Chicago, Mount Union, DePauw, UW-Stevens Point, and Wash U probably getting to host in the same range as Calvin, they might not even get a pod.

Think of all of Hope's great teams and their records over the past decade and count the number of home games they actually got to play in the NCAA.  In this part of the country its just hard, maybe even harder than for the men.

[Mr. Ypsi]

sac, they did have a number of home FFs - unfortunately, they sometimes forgot to be good hosts and show up!

(I'll beat everyone to it - IWU did the same the first year they hosted, and dropped both games last year! )

[bballfan13]

Like the Hope men, the Calvin women should have some home court advantage for a while in the NCAA tournament.

I'm not so sure. I'd like to think they'd get the chance to host the first two rounds, but with Chicago, Mount Union, DePauw, UW-Stevens Point, and Wash U probably getting to host in the same range as Calvin, they might not even get a pod.

I agree with you that Calvin might not get to host this year unfortunately.  What has been hurting them this year is their strength of schedule and Hope not being regionally ranked. 

But what do you think about Hope being 3rd in the region last year and still hosting?  Could this be a similar situation Calvin is in this year being 3rd?  The GL region had the 1, 2, and 3 teams all host last year.  I know it's different each year (and who knows what the crazy NCAA will throw out there) but just thought I'd ask your opinion.

[KnightSlappy]

Like the Hope men, the Calvin women should have some home court advantage for a while in the NCAA tournament.

I'm not so sure. I'd like to think they'd get the chance to host the first two rounds, but with Chicago, Mount Union, DePauw, UW-Stevens Point, and Wash U probably getting to host in the same range as Calvin, they might not even get a pod.

I agree with you that Calvin might not get to host this year unfortunately.  What has been hurting them this year is their strength of schedule and Hope not being regionally ranked. 

But what do you think about Hope being 3rd in the region last year and still hosting?  Could this be a similar situation Calvin is in this year being 3rd?  The GL region had the 1, 2, and 3 teams all host last year.  I know it's different each year (and who knows what the crazy NCAA will throw out there) but just thought I'd ask your opinion.

Calvin could, and probably 'should' host in the first two rounds, but geography could bump them out.

[oldknight]

John Ross is on Hoopsville with Dave McHugh right now.

[bballfan13]

Thanks KS.  What are you thoughts on Hope getting an at-large bid?  Also, are you going to be posting a final regional rankings for the women?