MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

If VanSolkema suits up for Hope, that makes five transfers in this season, right?  And not a single one of them from a Juco, correct?  This has to be some kind of record in the MIAA, doesn't it?

It would be, but word is he won't play for Hope this season.

Hope actually has 5 transfers on the roster now with Voisin who came in from D2 GVSU.

Transfers seem to have become a very big part of the MIAA scene.  Must be the high tuition, kids can't afford 4 year.  

Brandon Crawford looks to follow in the shoes of Travis DePree as MIAA MVP.

Nothing I saw tonight would disuade me from picking him, he's just a horse.  I actually thought Hope was doing a decent job on him......for awhile.

Hope was totally out of sync on both ends of the floor.  Albion had huge help from Bailey, Gibbons, and Way. I've seen the ALB play 4 times this year, and Gibbons has never shot it like that.  Bottom line was that Hope wasn't ready to play tonight.  

Nail on head!

[sac]

boxscore from the Albion/Hope game  Albion 78 Hope 56.....reported it wrong

http://www.albion.edu/sports/mbasketball/56mbkstats/m111hoab.htm

shoot it well and defend well and you win.  There's nothing else in those stats to suggest victory.

How about 26 assists on 32 baskets, and they're all legit.

[Flea]

Wouldn't Hope's two transfers count?  I am not saying that they would rate over Veldhouse but I am saying that there is a difference between new comer of the year and freshmen of the year.

You're correct . . . I would like to have changed the wording of my post to freshman since that's what I listed from the rosters . . . or add the transfers.  I do not know who all the transfers are.

Doesn't Hope now have five transfers on the team?

[Civic Minded]

As to transfers, my theory is that within the past 3-4 years, the economy dictated where players would go, more than the programs.  Having funding and promises available at D1 & D2 schools drew players there.  Once there, however, I suspect (and know, in a couple of cases) that the lure of the school faded as the reality of the program set in.  Whether it be lack of playing time, difficult coaches, less than ideal student life, etc., the glamour wore off.  Once that happens, the MIAA with it's great programs and avid fans looks pretty good, tuition be danged.  Just my theory.

Regarding tonight's game...sheesh.  Hats off to the Britons for an outstanding game.  Very early on they had Hope frustrated, got in their heads, and determined the outcome.  So many shots for the Dutchmen went in and out -- unfortunately, those don't count.  As Sac mentioned, they just couldn't stop Bailey, which still has me baffled.  Everyone looked tired, or confused.  The Dutchmen worked hard, but they were definitely out of synch tonight.  I admit that Phillips played with a lot of heart, but to me he looked like he might be fighting the flu or something.

To their credit, Hope did outscore the Brits in the 2nd half by 2 points.  Unfortunately, that just doesn't do it when you enter the 2nd half 20 points behind.

No idea what will happen on Saturday, but if this team is who they've seemed to be before tonight, the Knights will have their hands full.  Thanks, Brits, for getting them fired up!  

GoHope, sorry to hear you weren't up to the game!  I could have used your calming logic there (and some help "informing" the refs of a few things)!    Oh, and hi Ken!

And hey, what about Tri-State?!?  Wow!

And as to freshman of the year -- Veldhouse, hands down.  Heck, he's so good that I'm having trouble disliking him for playing for Calvin!    This kid is just plain fun to watch (and will be the name we're all muttering under our breath for 3 more years)...

But if we're including transfers, then my nod goes to VanderHeide.  He is such a great addition to the Hope team already (although so is Partridge, and Wolfe and Hare are going to be strong additions as well).

Good(k)night all!

[devossed]

Hope vs Albion--several posters have pointed out the recent history of road-teams winning.  I predict that to continue this season, road team winning both games in this match-up.

Adrian vs Calvin--I predict the Bulldogs will sweep the Knights for the regular season in this match-up.

I could be wrong.     Time will tell.  If necessary, I'll eat my words.  Maybe with some of that DeVos Heinz catsup and mustard.   

Albion 76, Hope 58 . . . that's one wrong.
Calvin 82, Adrian 68 . . . that's two wrong.
Heinz spells it with a "k" . . . that's three wrong in one post.  Roughrider whiffs tonight.

Would somebody pass the ketchup please!     

Savor it, you've earned it.

As to transfers, my theory is that within the past 3-4 years, the economy dictated where players would go, more than the programs.  Having funding and promises available at D1 & D2 schools drew players there.  Once there, however, I suspect (and know, in a couple of cases) that the lure of the school faded as the reality of the program set in.  Whether it be lack of playing time, difficult coaches, less than ideal student life, etc., the glamour wore off.  Once that happens, the MIAA with it's great programs and avid fans looks pretty good, tuition be danged.  Just my theory.

I agree totally. That's what happened with a few of Hope's guys, as well as others (Redell @ Cleveland State, Redder @ EMU)...Even so, saving $50,000 by going to a state school vs. MIAA/D3 for those 1st two years really does go a long way in this tired and broke economy.

[devossed]

Hope laid an egg tonight, for sure. As SAC (and others) said, they were outplayed in most areas. They actually defended very well in spurts, but just couldn't contain penetration to the middle, which opened up things outside for Gibbons or inside for Crawford off the drive/dish. Throw in 10 missed two-foot bunny layups (no joke) and four or five ill-timed illegal screen calls (although those refs were pretty bad--some of those screens looked very similar to what Albion was doing) and that was all she wrote. If Hope shoots any better the next game, they'll have a chance. They don't often lose to the same team twice in one season...

[KnightSlappy]

Calvin looked good tonight.  The 14 point victory is actually much closer than the game was (10 Knights played 14+ minutes).  If Calvin can maintain this level of play and we might see a good game on saturday, that is if Hope ignores that big fat chip on their shoulder from tonight's game.

[Gregory Sager]

Congrats to the Brits, and thanks ever so much for stirring up the Dutchmen in time for Saturday afternoon.

Hope needs an excuse to get stirred up when playing Calvin?

He is such a great addition to the Hope team already (although so is Partridge, and Wolfe and Hare are going to be strong additions as well).

Not to mention the fact that they've vaulted Hope to the top of the list of D3 teams that have the most players with animal names.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Greg - great post - I can't believe I hadn't made the animal connection before.  Now I'm sure that VanderHeide must be Dutch for some kind of animal 

As said by many others - great game by the Britons, in all aspects of the game.  I was shocked when I looked at the stats to see that the turnovers were about even - it seemed that Ablion did a much better job of controlling the ball.

As devossed said - there was a 5 minute stretch in the first half where the officials decided to call the illegal screen on Hope 4 times.  I know that didn't change the outcome of the game, but that's 4 tunrovers at a time Albion's lead went from 8 to 16.  The strange thing is they never called another one, and I didn't see any difference in the way the screens were being set.   

I also think Albion had the chip on their shoulder last night - not real happy that Hope just jumped past them in the poll.

As we were leaving the gym, I over-heard the following from Turner "That's about as good as we can play, and our shots were just going in and yours (Hope's) were not"

Time to put that one in the past, and take care of business on Saturday.  Can't wait to see how loud we can get the DeVos - Go Hope

[Stinger]

MIdoubleA, you're right, Phillips did miss a couple chippies, but I think he was still out there trying to get things done with a sense of urgency, unlike his many of his teammates. He might be pressing a bit ,  but you can just see how badly he wants it out there.  I may be biased because of my friendship with his brother, but I love the way he plays.

What's the deal with the shot selection GVW allows Hope to get away with? Vanderheide, Immink, and Cramer were throwing up junk all over the place.  Where's the discipline Glen??!!!

FDF, the illegal screen calls were curious.   And see above as to why Hope's shots weren't going in.

[frontandcenterbrit]

I think if Hope would have had 1 more coach on the bench, in addition to their already 8 coaches, the outcome of the game could have been different.

Albion simply had more heart.

Go Brits!

[Gregory Sager]

Greg - great post - I can't believe I hadn't made the animal connection before.  Now I'm sure that VanderHeide must be Dutch for some kind of animal 

FDF, if I remember my early American history correctly, the Dutch established the colony of New Amsterdam and seized the Swedish colony of Fort Christina (Delaware) in order to trade with the local Indians for their beaver pelts and vander hides.

[sac]

FDF, if I remember my early American history correctly, the Dutch established the colony of New Amsterdam and seized the Swedish colony of Fort Christina (Delaware) in order to trade with the local Indians for their beaver pelts and vander hides.

Please tell me you didn't just make that post 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Greg - great post - I can't believe I hadn't made the animal connection before.  Now I'm sure that VanderHeide must be Dutch for some kind of animal 

FDF, if I remember my early American history correctly, the Dutch established the colony of New Amsterdam and seized the Swedish colony of Fort Christina (Delaware) in order to trade with the local Indians for their beaver pelts and vander hides.

ROFLMAO   

[bulldogalum]

Didn't see the game in Albion last night, but was at the Adrian/Albion game.  The Brits are good, they're tall, and they're deep.  But imagine if Champine hadn't left!