WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[oldtimer1937]

Wait till you see Albion or Trine.

[Roundball999]

Wait till you see Albion or Trine.

Yes, I've seen Hope and Calvin thump Trine and Albion respectively this year.  I wasn't really commenting on those two teams specifically, just making the more general point that while Calvin and Hope are clearly in a tier on their own, they have to watch out against the temptation of just phoning in the rest of the league games.  Hope had those two bad losses last year which kept them out of the tournament, and even Calvin had a squeaker against Adrian and a tough game at Albion.

[realist]

Wait till you see Albion or Trine.

Yes, I've seen Hope and Calvin thump Trine and Albion respectively this year.  I wasn't really commenting on those two teams specifically, just making the more general point that while Calvin and Hope are clearly in a tier on their own, they have to watch out against the temptation of just phoning in the rest of the league games.  Hope had those two bad losses last year which kept them out of the tournament, and even Calvin had a squeaker against Adrian and a tough game at Albion.

Neither coach Ross nor coach Mo are about to let their teams look past anyone.  Calvin has played a very tough non-conference schedule specifically to have them prepared for the wars ahead.  I expect the VNA, and De Vos games to meet our expectations.

[Roundball999]

Wait till you see Albion or Trine.

The GOP will soon be irrelevant

Yes, I've seen Hope and Calvin thump Trine and Albion respectively this year.  I wasn't really commenting on those two teams specifically, just making the more general point that while Calvin and Hope are clearly in a tier on their own, they have to watch out against the temptation of just phoning in the rest of the league games.  Hope had those two bad losses last year which kept them out of the tournament, and even Calvin had a squeaker against Adrian and a tough game at Albion.

Neither coach Ross nor coach Mo are about to let their teams look past anyone.  Calvin has played a very tough non-conference schedule specifically to have them prepared for the wars ahead.  I expect the VNA, and De Vos games to meet our expectations.

Wait till you see Albion or Trine.

Yes, I've seen Hope and Calvin thump Trine and Albion respectively this year.  I wasn't really commenting on those two teams specifically, just making the more general point that while Calvin and Hope are clearly in a tier on their own, they have to watch out against the temptation of just phoning in the rest of the league games.  Hope had those two bad losses last year which kept them out of the tournament, and even Calvin had a squeaker against Adrian and a tough game at Albion.

Neither coach Ross nor coach Mo are about to let their teams look past anyone.  Calvin has played a very tough non-conference schedule specifically to have them prepared for the wars ahead.  I expect the VNA, and De Vos games to meet our expectations.

You're probably right.  Then again, no way Hope should have lost to Trine at Devos last year when Trine finishes with a 5-11 MIAA record.  Not implying aspersions on either coach, they are both outstanding.  Just saying that other league games shouldn't be considered a lock.

[Roundball999]

Calvin at #3 (with one #1 vote) and Hope at #6 in latest D3hoops.com poll.  Great showing by the MIAA!

[realist]

rb999  Over the years one learns that no team should ever overlook another.  One also should learn that sometimes the team that really should win doesn't, and the reasons defy logic or reason, but the results are what the results are.
I can cite about 20 MIAA examples of W/L's that just shouldn't have occurred.  For example:  This year Calvin's vball team is playing for the championship at De Vos.  They have the crowd, and evrything in their favor.  Win the first 2 matches, but finish # 2.

[Roundball999]

rb999  Over the years one learns that no team should ever overlook another.  One also should learn that sometimes the team that really should win doesn't, and the reasons defy logic or reason, but the results are what the results are.
I can cite about 20 MIAA examples of W/L's that just shouldn't have occurred.  For example:  This year Calvin's vball team is playing for the championship at De Vos.  They have the crowd, and evrything in their favor.  Win the first 2 matches, but finish # 2.

We are in violent agreement.

Watched the Calvin VB title match (streamed) and also agree with you there.  I was really pulling for the Knights and it sure seemed like they had it sewn up after those first two sets.  Alas.... somehow the Tommies started digging everything.

[bballforever]

Interesting early on statistic, Calvin letting other teams score 15-20 more points per game than last year and 20 more points per game than Hope this year.

[Roundball999]

Interesting early on statistic, Calvin letting other teams score 15-20 more points per game than last year and 20 more points per game than Hope this year.

I think a few contributing factors:

- Calvin's early season schedule was tougher than Hope's and far tougher than its own early schedule last year.
- Calvin scoring is also up about 4 ppg so far compared to last year, maybe playing a little more up tempo?
- Calvin's Hilbrands missed early games due to volleyball's run to the championship game
- Hope's usually solid defense does appear to be even stronger this year and rebounding is improved too

[bballforever]

I agree on your perspective on Hope's performance so far and in the future.

I do also agree on your comments on Calvin's tougher start this year but you still have to play defense.  And even though they are scoring more, 15-20 more points allowed seems worrisome to me.

[Calvinhoops]

Comparing apples to apples.....Calvin gave up 69 pts in regulation to St. Thomas last year and 72 this year.....Calvin gave up 49 and 50 to Albion last year and only 42 this year......I don't think there is that much difference it's mostly due to having to play Thomas More and having run into a hot shooting  Wisconsin Stevens Point who scored 84 Compared to 71 last year.  Notice they have cooled off since then in shooting percentage.  I guess time will tell!

[bballforever]

Good data, thanks.  And yes time will tell.

We just can't wait until the first Hope/Calvin showdown!!!  January right?

[bballfan13]

I've been able to see all of the Calvin games so far this year and I tend to agree that their points allowed are up a bit this year because of the competition played early on and also the absence of Hilbrands.  Also by graduating one of their best defensive players last year in Jill Thomas doesn't help.  I think as the season progresses the team will continue to improve on their defense.  Engelhard has been looking great, both offensively and defensively.  And Carissa Verkaik is still Carissa Verkaik 

I like the game comparison by Calvinhoops and agree that Stevens Point could not miss and have since cooled off.  Stevens Point was gearing up for that game all summer as Calvin beat them last year, just like Calvin was gearing up to play St. Thomas in the first game.  The Knights looked tired and not ready to play in that game for whatever reason and Stevens Point played a great game and kept the game at a fast tempo.

It was good to see Calvin come back the next weekend and win both games to show they can play 2 good games back to back.  These two opening tournaments were perfect to help them prepare for the NCAA tournament.

The win against Thomas More was special.  It was a hard fought game and to see them come back from down 10 with less than 2 minutes to play was something you don't see too often.  The Knights did not give up and kept fighting.  Once they tied it to get to overtime there was no looking back.

I also have to say that I think Roundball999's assessment of the league this year is spot on:

I still have to give the nod to Calvin as league favorite.  They have nearly everyone back, Verkaik is Verkaik, and Engelhard is playing really well.  That said, Hope is playing really well too and their across the board balance, size and depth is enough to give anyone trouble.  Kussmaul's continued improvement from ACL is a wild card, she didn't play in any of the Calvin-Hope games last year.  But basically in my mind it's same as last year: Calvin as the favorite but no huge surprise if Hope pins a loss on the Knights.

Can't wait to see how the season plays out.

Also, I don't think it was mentioned on here a few weeks ago, but congratulations to Carissa Verkaik for becoming Calvin's all-time leading scorer!  She did this in the second game of the season.  She has the chance to finish her career with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 400 blocks.  Pretty impressive.

[sac]

Assuming no one else accomplishes the same thing this year Carissa would be the 12th D3 women to have 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career.

She should become the MIAA's leading scorer in league games around the 10th league game this year.


Maintaining career avg's and a 30 game season gets her 2,200 points, 1,100 rebounds and 460 blocks and a place somewhere on the D3 record list for points, blocks and blocks avg..

btw, there are some crazy high records for D3 women.
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/stats/w+basketball/2013rb.html

[bballforever]

Those ARE some crazy high records for the D3 women!!!

And I agree on your quote:

"And Carissa Verkaik is still Carissa Verkaik" 

She is a one of a kind.