MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

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Veldhouse comes up big again down the stretch. This kid is special.

Is this kid the next Andy Phillips? Obviously not the same position, but as the kid that comes in and immediately makes a big impact when a team needs him the most? Personally as a Hope fan I'm scared to death to see 3 more years of him...

The scariest part (for non-Calvin fans at least) is that so far his scoring average is limited by the number of shots he takes.  When he wants his shot, he gets it and makes it.

[sac]

This was my first trip to Alma to see basketball, a very High School  classic gymnasium.  It has potential to be a loud and tough place to play, I just wonder if its ever been full.  Kudos to the 25 or so Alma students who thanks to the sparse crowd get primo seats.  They made a nice effort supporting the Scots.

I want to see that Alma mascot and Cal the Knight rumble.

I hadn't set foot on the Alma campus in about 10 years or more and it looks nice, they've done a lot of nice work.


My drive to Alma reminded me of a funny moment (to me anyway bare with me.)  Way back around 91 or so the Hope golf team was on its way to an MIAA meet in Alma.  The route to Alma from Holland takes you along M-46 and through the small village of Edmore.  It was outside of Edmore when one of our teamates sitting shotgun yells out  "what the h*** is that"........we all peer out the front window expecting something completely different than what we saw.

A donkey running full speed down the shoulder of M-46.

true story.

These are the things you remember about your time on your college team.......not nearly blowing a 25 point lead in 4 minutes.  

I couldn't tell you what I shot that day or who won, but I'll always remember the stupid and funny sight of a donkey running full speed.

[sac]

Since we've had our first big road win of the year, I thought I'd break out the +/- chart.  + for a road win, - for a home loss.  Its all about protecting the home wood.


Calvin +2
Hope +2
Albion +1
Tri-State +1
Kalamazoo 0
Olivet -1
Alma -3
Adrian -3

So despite the 3 way tie at the top, Albion is effectively a game back in the standings with their loss today.  With both Hope and Albion at home the Knights appear to be in the driver's seat.  Just like we all thought right?

[KnightSlappy]

I want to see that Alma mascot and Cal the Knight rumble.

You better be careful.  Cal the Knight has been known to have neck problems, that is why he always is wearing that neck brace.

GREAT win for the baby Knights.  Caleb V-House made his push for Player of the Week as he lead the Calvin TEAM against the mighty INDIVIDUAL Brandon Crawford.  Bear DeVries, Josh Meckes, and Tyler Zoerhof showed that Crawford is not unstoppable with some great physical D.  Sure, the big man got 17 but that is still more than 7 below his average.

Favorite moment of the game.  Freshman Tyler Zoerhof getting the huge block on big Mr. Crawford.

[albinomascot19]

Calvin made the key plays down the stretch and Albion faltered, bottom line.  Fans make predictions, sometimes you are right and sometimes you are wrong, ultimately the players on the court make the difference in the game.  Calvin beating Albion was only an upset b/c they are  ranked, and Calvin isnt.  I knew Albion was going to have  a difficult time coping after the departure (due to graduation) of All American Travis Depree and All MIAA Michael Thomas.  Calvin always plays Albion tough, and knows how to win games.    Calvin got their shots to go, and Albion didnt.  I could always argue that there were several possessions awarded to Calvin, where it was obvious that it had gone off a Calvin player.  However, I will reiterate Albion couldn't hit shots.  The bad calls helped close the margin, but ultimately in the end Albion was ineffective, Calvin played some great defense.  Brandon Crawford was limited to 17 points and 11 boards.   

After Albion's loss/Calvin's win, there is a three way tie for first play withHope, Calvin and Albion, and its anyone's championship to win.

I wish everyone the best for next week.   

MIAA Basketball......#1 Basketball conference in DIII!

[KnightSlappy]

This is the part of the season where people start to question the strength of the MIAAl If the conference is so good then why do the records end up average?  The MIAA normally has 3-4 solid teams that can beat up on each other.  I hope that the conference does not get overlooked because the big three: Albion, Hope, and Calvin (if Calvin can be considered that this year) steal wins from each other.  We all know that the MIAA is a very tough conference so no one ends up running the table.  Teams that appear to be mediocre (Calvin last year) end up in the Final Four.  I hope that the rest of this season and the conference tourney provide us with some great D-III basketball.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Interesting stats.

Also interesting is that Albion is leading the league in scoring.  Has that ever happened in the Mike Turner era?

Not sure if it's ever happened before, but it's not happening now.  Hope is leading the league in scoring - for both conference only games, and all games.

[Dark Knight]

It's curious that after the Calvin Men's and Women's teams both got to the NCAA tournament by winning the MIAA tournament, and after both teams made nice tournament runs and were knocked out by eventual championship-game teams, they are both are competitive in the MIAA with the youngest teams they've fielded in recent memory.

The men have five freshmen and two new sophomores, and the women have six freshmen and only one junior and one senior. For both teams, around 40% of the minutes played are by freshmen.

Both teams also have candidates for freshman-of-the-year, with Veldhouse, 6th-leading scorer in the league at 13.6 ppg, and Marcia Harris, 5th-leading scorer at 13.8 ppg.

[allsportball]

Adrian team/fans can not blame coach for this game. Until this team is willing to work as a team and suck it up on the defensive end no w in sight. Mike Reinhardt open your cheeks and pull your head out and start playing some defense.   

[goodknight]

I'm still pinching myself after yesterday's VERY surprising win for the young Knights.  I'm also kicking myself for not making the trip.  Caught much of the radio broadcast, and was impressed that three freshmen contributed significantly to the upset of the Brits -- Caleb Veldhouse, of course, and Dustin Smith and Tyler Zoerhof.  In fact, all three of them were on the floor during crunch time in the waning minutes of the game.  In the Grand Rapids Press story this morning, Coach Turner and Brandon Crawford make no excuses for the outcome, crediting Calvin's outstanding effort and talented freshmen. 

It still seems improbable to most Calvin fans that this team is in a tie for first at this point of the season.  But if KVS could secure a couple of strong recruits for next season, things could get very interesting in the next few years.

[bulldogalum]

allsportball:

The Bulldogs simply must find a way to hang onto the ball.  You can't turn it over 20 times and expect to win.  Defense is a problem at the moment, but I think a lot of it has to do with the turnovers--we give up so darn many points because many of the turnovers lead to easy buckets for the opposition.  I wasn't at the game yesterday, but I did listen to the online broadcast.  From the sound of it, Tri State was really able to attack the basket, and made a point of doing that, especially in the second half.  This is a team that can win a few league games, and I think whenever they win their first, it will make winning more a whole lot easier.

[midline]

Solid W for the Hornets yesterday, despite an ugly 1st half by both teams. Score at halftime: 15-10, K. Seriously. Second half showed better shooting on both sides with Olivet squeaking to within a point or two, and then K extending the lead again. Olivet never lead in the 2nd half that I can recall. Eventually, K extended the lead to 10 or so, and the outcome was never in question. Good D and rebounding from K, balanced attack throughout.  KK had a quiet 16 (8-8 FT's) and Clancey had his second strong game with 12 points, 3 asssists and 3 steals.

I think Calvin will have their hands full at the Rolla Dome on Wed. They'd better not have any let down or they are in trouble. The Hornets have showed that they are tough at home and can play gritty ball against more talented teams (see Albion and Elmhurst).

[oldknight]

Like "y'all" I'm amazed by the baby Knights win at Kresge, particularly without the presence of Snoeyink from whom a good game I thought was required for Calvin to have any chance for an upset. Despite the win I still think a third place finish and 9-5 conference record would be a pretty good year for this team. They still have weaknesses and they won't all go away soon. One of those weaknesses could be remedied with the recruitment of a high quality big man. It's not a team anyone in the MIAA is really eager to play in the conference tourney though. The freshmen are progressing and by now Kevin VS should have erased any doubts from even the most critical Calvin fan that he really knows how to coach a team. Streek has proven that he knows how to maximize his talent and his teams always show progess over the course of a season.

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allsportball:

The Bulldogs simply must find a way to hang onto the ball.  You can't turn it over 20 times and expect to win.  Defense is a problem at the moment, but I think a lot of it has to do with the turnovers--we give up so darn many points because many of the turnovers lead to easy buckets for the opposition.  I wasn't at the game yesterday, but I did listen to the online broadcast.  From the sound of it, Tri State was really able to attack the basket, and made a point of doing that, especially in the second half.  This is a team that can win a few league games, and I think whenever they win their first, it will make winning more a whole lot easier.

You would think getting Nokovich back would have really helped Adrian.  In the game I saw at Knollcrest, he was as much a part of the problem as anyone.  I think he is trying to do too much and their offense just can't seem to get rolling.

[ziggy]

Like "y'all" I'm amazed by the baby Knights win at Kresge, particularly without the presence of Snoeyink from whom a good game I thought was required for Calvin to have any chance for an upset. Despite the win I still think a third place finish and 9-5 conference record would be a pretty good year for this team. They still have weaknesses and they won't all go away soon. One of those weaknesses could be remedied with the recruitment of a high quality big man. It's not a team anyone in the MIAA is really eager to play in the conference tourney though. The freshmen are progressing and by now Kevin VS should have erased any doubts from even the most critical Calvin fan that he really knows how to coach a team. Streek has proven that he knows how to maximize his talent and his teams always show progess over the course of a season.

I expect better than a 9-5 conference record from the baby Knights.  At this point that would be finishing up the season 4-4 and the remaining games against Hope and Albion are both at home.  Its hard to predict what they will do but I think they have shown what they are capable of.