WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[Roundball999]

18 point deficit was just too much to overcome, especially with Whitewater's home court advantage.  Got the feeling that the Flying Dutch might have pulled it out with another 5 minutes, but not to be.  All the credit to Whitewater for setting Hope on its heels to start the game and building the big lead.

Congrats to the Flying Dutch for a fabulous season, probably more than most people expected at the start of the year.

[pointlem]

18 point deficit was just too much to overcome, especially with Whitewater's home court advantage.  Got the feeling that the Flying Dutch might have pulled it out with another 5 minutes, but not to be.  All the credit to Whitewater for setting Hope on its heels to start the game and building the big lead.

Congrats to the Flying Dutch for a fabulous season, probably more than most people expected at the start of the year.

Well said, Roundball. 

This loss is going to hurt for awhile because they came so close to that dreamed-of home-court Final Four . . . and because it was a winnable game.  With a 24 to 14 turnover advantage, the game--except for shooting that was as cold tonight as it was hot last night--was normally one Hope would win.  It wasn't just the 2 for 14 on 3's, it was all the missed layups.  (Hope's last five losses in NCAA tournaments have all come in Saturday games, after playing the night before--and then their shooting not being sharp, as if they were not well rested.)

But on the positive side:  What determination, spirit, and character this team showed all year, including during their comeback tonight.  And what great team defense all year, supported by great coaching.

A tough way for the seniors to bow out, but what a pleasure they've been to watch this year.  May good memories and long-term friendships eventually replace the pain of dashed hopes.

And say something for the supportive Hope fans, who seemed about 45 percent of the house tonight.

[oldknight]

Congrats to the Hope women on a great season. You don't have to be off your game by much to get bounced from the NCAA tournament.

[calvinite]

After the sting of this loss wears off, all the Hope women will have fond memories of a fantastic season with lots of highlights.

This is probably a stupid and pointless thing to say at this point, but good chance this game has different results if played in Holland -- and I think it's unfortunate that it wasn't played in Holland.

[Mr. Ypsi]

After the sting of this loss wears off, all the Hope women will have fond memories of a fantastic season with lots of highlights.

This is probably a stupid and pointless thing to say at this point, but good chance this game has different results if played in Holland -- and I think it's unfortunate that it wasn't played in Holland.

With both Hope and St. Thomas in the sectional, it was inevitable that the host would be either UWW or Simpson - no flights necessary, whereas either Holland or St. Paul would require a flight.  We are, alas, a tourney controlled by the bean counters.  Always have been, probably always will be.

[Pat Coleman]

After the sting of this loss wears off, all the Hope women will have fond memories of a fantastic season with lots of highlights.

This is probably a stupid and pointless thing to say at this point, but good chance this game has different results if played in Holland -- and I think it's unfortunate that it wasn't played in Holland.

With both Hope and St. Thomas in the sectional, it was inevitable that the host would be either UWW or Simpson - no flights necessary, whereas either Holland or St. Paul would require a flight.  We are, alas, a tourney controlled by the bean counters.  Always have been, probably always will be.

Blame Calvin for letting St. Thomas get that far.

[Hopetix]

Very difficult night for our Hope Fan nation and our Hope women. I am proud to be a part of a group of people who cheer with class and dignity, and who love their team when the win and when they don't. The passion of our fans is something I don't see anywhere else in D3 basketball. When you can get 500 fans who traveled 4 hours or more, (mostly adults) to do the Dew Crew warm ups as well as the roller coaster, you know you've got something very special going on. Thanks for an incredible season, and as always. Go Hope!

[Mr. Ypsi]

After the sting of this loss wears off, all the Hope women will have fond memories of a fantastic season with lots of highlights.

This is probably a stupid and pointless thing to say at this point, but good chance this game has different results if played in Holland -- and I think it's unfortunate that it wasn't played in Holland.

With both Hope and St. Thomas in the sectional, it was inevitable that the host would be either UWW or Simpson - no flights necessary, whereas either Holland or St. Paul would require a flight.  We are, alas, a tourney controlled by the bean counters.  Always have been, probably always will be.

Blame Calvin for letting St. Thomas get that far.

Ooh, Pat - you think Hope and Calvin need any additional fire to the rivalry?!

[Flying Dutch Fan]

After the sting of this loss wears off, all the Hope women will have fond memories of a fantastic season with lots of highlights.

This is probably a stupid and pointless thing to say at this point, but good chance this game has different results if played in Holland -- and I think it's unfortunate that it wasn't played in Holland.

With both Hope and St. Thomas in the sectional, it was inevitable that the host would be either UWW or Simpson - no flights necessary, whereas either Holland or St. Paul would require a flight.  We are, alas, a tourney controlled by the bean counters.  Always have been, probably always will be.

Blame Calvin for letting St. Thomas get that far.

Ooh, Pat - you think Hope and Calvin need any additional fire to the rivalry?!

You don't honestly think either of you could do anything that would affect The Rivalry, do you?

[hope1]

good  job hope  on  a   great seasson  29-2     and way to go hope fans   got home at  4.30  am on the bus

[Pat Coleman]

After the sting of this loss wears off, all the Hope women will have fond memories of a fantastic season with lots of highlights.

This is probably a stupid and pointless thing to say at this point, but good chance this game has different results if played in Holland -- and I think it's unfortunate that it wasn't played in Holland.

With both Hope and St. Thomas in the sectional, it was inevitable that the host would be either UWW or Simpson - no flights necessary, whereas either Holland or St. Paul would require a flight.  We are, alas, a tourney controlled by the bean counters.  Always have been, probably always will be.

Blame Calvin for letting St. Thomas get that far.

Ooh, Pat - you think Hope and Calvin need any additional fire to the rivalry?!

You don't honestly think either of you could do anything that would affect The Rivalry, do you?

No, which is why I really had no qualms about saying it.

[Hwbb]

Just a little fun fact from over on the NESCAC board, about an Amherst team that has now made five consecutive Final Fours:

Amherst road to the Final 4 over the last five seasons:

Tournament Home Games:  20
Neutral/Away Games:  0

Final Four Record:  3-5

Hmmmmmmm.......

[pointlem]

Interesting.  The NCAA has also been nice to archrivals Amherst and Williams by allowing both to host and putting them on opposite sides of the bracket . . . as Hope and Calvin would wish to be (but have never been).  Hmmmmmm

Just a little fun fact from over on the NESCAC board, about an Amherst team that has now made five consecutive Final Fours:

Amherst road to the Final 4 over the last five seasons:

Tournament Home Games:  20
Neutral/Away Games:  0

Final Four Record:  3-5

Hmmmmmmm.......

[Mr. Ypsi]

Interesting. The NCAA has also been nice to archrivals Amherst and Williams by allowing both to host and putting them on opposite sides of the bracket . . . as Hope and Calvin would wish to be (but have never been).  Hmmmmmm

Just a little fun fact from over on the NESCAC board, about an Amherst team that has now made five consecutive Final Fours:

Amherst road to the Final 4 over the last five seasons:

Tournament Home Games:  20
Neutral/Away Games:  0

Final Four Record:  3-5

Hmmmmmmm.......

Geography and bean-counters.  Michigan is a comparative island (not nearly as bad as the left coast or Texas, but an island nevertheless) compared to the d3 rich northeastern parts of the country.  Since the NCAA is allergic to plane flights, there are never enough tourney teams to justify two hosts 30 miles apart in western Michigan, but Amherst and Williams have a slew of teams who can be bused.

Such it has always been; such it will (probably) always be.

It is no different for the men.  One year, 7 of the top 8 d3hoops.com teams were all in the same quarter of the bracket!  This year, 4 of the top 12 met in rounds 2 and 3.  The hazards of the upper midwest being perennially the 'cream of the crop'.

[bballfan13]

Congratulations to Carissa Verkaik being named the Great Lakes region Player of the Year.

http://d3hoops.com/awards/all-region/2012-13/great-lakes-women

This is her 3rd straight year to be named Player of the Year for the region and her freshman year she was named as Rookie of the Year for the region.  Quite an accomplishment!

Also, congratulations to Liz Ellis who joins Carissa on the first team and Courtney Kust and Kelsey Campbell being named to third team.

Great representation from the MIAA this year.