MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Reason #2851 why DIII is better than DI:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/grant_wahl/02/26/abusive.fans0303/index.html

Let's hope it never gets like this.

Thats 5 minutes in the life of a Michigan fan in Columbus.

[GoKnights68]

Alright, impressive game by the Knights last night.  They were the most vocal they've been on the court all season, and they finally guarded the perimeter well on defense.  The guards did a good job at driving and then dishing it off to the open man, something hasn't been done much all season.  They were also working the traditional back-door play, which is something that has been missing.

I hope Griffin can carry his hot shooting into Holland this weekend, and erase the last two poor road games he's had.  His last two home games he's combined for 63 points.  Can he do it away from the fieldhouse?  We'll find out.  All I know is it's not having a senior out there playing like he doesn't want it to be his last game. 

Olivet was a good physical team to play in order to prepare for physical teams like Albion and possibly Hope(if Hope and Calvin win Friday).

Brandon Way, #3 for Olivet, is certainly a fun player that the crowd enjoys watching.  Speaking of the crowd, where was everyone last night?!  Attendance was terrible at the true final home game in the historical fieldhouse.


edit: I thought Griffin had 37 points last night, but apparently not according to the stats, so that would make it 61 points in the last two home games.  I swear I remember him having 32, hitting a 2, and then hitting an and-1 3 pointer, but missing the foul shot, which would give him 37.  Oh well, doesn't really matter 

[kiltedbryan]

Reason #2851 why DIII is better than DI:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/grant_wahl/02/26/abusive.fans0303/index.html

Let's hope it never gets like this.

Thats 5 minutes in the life of a Michigan fan in Columbus.

Unfortunately, there is some truth to that.
(Says a Michigan fan living in Columbus.)

[thealmascots]

I agree that historically, these first round MIAA tournament games have not been well attended and also with the fact that wins help bring out more fans.  That being said, there is a much bigger issue going on at Calvin.  Wins can not explain it because last night Calvin got to 15 wins for the 24th straight season.  I feel that the issue for the steady decline over the last number of years is the quality of play.  Even your average silver hair who can't really break down a game will eventually get frustrated watching guys standing around with no conceivable plan on offense or defense.  As I mentioned before on this site, they win quite a few games because they have enormous talent (I think more than any team in the league), but to watch teams consistently play down to the level of their competition is not that enjoyable.  I believe that over time enough people, including students, have gotten sick of it and it just doesn't draw out any passion anymore.  Just frustration.
The game program from Calvin's last regular season home game a couple weeks ago gave a era by era account of great games in the fieldhouse.  It made reference to Calvin having AVERAGE attendance in 1992-93 of over 4,000 people.  Granted that was Steve Honderd's senior year and they were coming off a National Championship, but when a place like Calvin, that has such great alumni support loses over 75% of its fans, it is more than just having a great player.
I agree that after the first few games in the new arena, it will be an embarrassment to Calvin, how empty it will be.

[Civic Minded]

Interesting, and probably very accurate summary, thealmascots.  Thanks for wording it so well. 

I was struck by your phrase "consistently play down to the level of their competition."  I hadn't thought about that before, but it makes sense.  It's sad, but it does help me piece together that intangible "something" that we haven't been able to put our finger on all year about Calvin.

I was also struck by your attendance facts.  Average of over 4,000 in 92-93.  Wow.  Trends come and go, and hopefully this will change for Calvin, but it leaves me wondering about what will need to change there to make that happen.

[sac]

1993 Calvin had 5 Grand Rapids Christian players on the roster.

Timmer, Knoester, Rottman, Orange and Honderd

Told ya

[northb]

I agree that after the first few games in the new arena, it will be an embarrassment to Calvin, how empty it will be.

Interesting, and probably very accurate summary, thealmascots.  Thanks for wording it so well. 

I was struck by your phrase "consistently play down to the level of their competition."  I hadn't thought about that before, but it makes sense.  It's sad, but it does help me piece together that intangible "something" that we haven't been able to put our finger on all year about Calvin.

I was also struck by your attendance facts.  Average of over 4,000 in 92-93.  Wow.  Trends come and go, and hopefully this will change for Calvin, but it leaves me wondering about what will need to change there to make that happen.

That is quite a crystal ball you have--would you mind giving me the Lotto numbers, too?

[wiz]

edit: I thought Griffin had 37 points last night, but apparently not according to the stats, so that would make it 61 points in the last two home games.  I swear I remember him having 32, hitting a 2, and then hitting an and-1 3 pointer, but missing the foul shot, which would give him 37.  Oh well, doesn't really matter 

You are right about what you saw.  The scoreboard, however, had it wrong much of the night.  At one time, Veldhouse made a couple of free throws and they gave them to Griffin.  Later Griffin made a field goal and they gave it to Veldhouse.  Someone at that table wasn't having a very good night.  Officially, Griffin scored 35.  As impressive as his night was, he only needed 27 more to set a school record.  Who will ever forget Hondo?

[GoKnights68]

edit: I thought Griffin had 37 points last night, but apparently not according to the stats, so that would make it 61 points in the last two home games.  I swear I remember him having 32, hitting a 2, and then hitting an and-1 3 pointer, but missing the foul shot, which would give him 37.  Oh well, doesn't really matter 

You are right about what you saw.  The scoreboard, however, had it wrong much of the night.  At one time, Veldhouse made a couple of free throws and they gave them to Griffin.  Later Griffin made a field goal and they gave it to Veldhouse.  Someone at that table wasn't having a very good night.  Officially, Griffin scored 35.  As impressive as his night was, he only needed 27 more to set a school record.  Who will ever forget Hondo?

Fans that are new to Calvin basketball are alway in disbelief when I tell them what Steve did one night in that fieldhouse.

[gohope]

Reason #2851 why DIII is better than DI:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/grant_wahl/02/26/abusive.fans0303/index.html

Let's hope it never gets like this.

Ahhhh.... the games at Depauw.  That atmosphere wasn't as close as to what is included in SI, but there are similarities - Unfortunately. 

(sorry about bringing up past history. So please insert the dead horse picture here!)

[thealmascots]

SAC,
You are correct about the five GR Christian grads on the team that year.  Along with that, the three prior years included Jim Timmer, Todd Hennink and Doug Takens.  It was a pipeline of great players.  Along with that, if you look at the rest of the roster in those years it was full of guys from Unity Chr., Holland Chr., Kalamazoo Chr., Calvin Chr.  I'm not saying that Calvin needs to only have area kids from the Christian schools, but it is well documented what loyal followings each of these high schools have and I think when players moved on to Calvin, there was a natural connection.  I still think the overall attitude and style of play are the biggest issues, but I agree that the Christian school pipeline that used to exist is no longer there.
Any thoughts as to why that may be?  I have some, but I'll let you'all go first...  

[Stinger]

Reason #2851 why DIII is better than DI:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/grant_wahl/02/26/abusive.fans0303/index.html

Let's hope it never gets like this.

Ahhhh.... the games at Depauw.  That atmosphere wasn't as close as to what is included in SI, but there are similarities - Unfortunately. 

(sorry about bringing up past history. So please insert the dead horse picture here!)

sitting in your own section usually solves a lot of problems.

[realist]

HERE LIES POOR OLE CALVIN  RIP

[northb]

I recall seeing the Calvin Athletic Director wading into the student section to root out miscreants and settle the fans down.  Sounds like the programs in the SI article need to shut the fans out for a game or two, and then they will police themselves.  I'm glad I went to and support a school that won't stand for that type of thing getting out of hand.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Reason #2851 why DIII is better than DI:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/grant_wahl/02/26/abusive.fans0303/index.html

Let's hope it never gets like this.

Ahhhh.... the games at Depauw.  That atmosphere wasn't as close as to what is included in SI, but there are similarities - Unfortunately. 

(sorry about bringing up past history. So please insert the dead horse picture here!)

sitting in your own section usually solves a lot of problems.

commenting only on the facts will too