MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ziggy]

K has to have updated scoreboards and shot clocks updated by the start of the '10-'11 season   NCAA regulations state the shot clocks must be above the backboards, a red light must be displayed on the backboard and the scoreboard clock must have a 10th of a second display.

Perhaps K can help to offset the cost of upgrades by selling the old equipment to Hickory High.  Maybe a straight up trade for Jimmy Chitwood.

[realist]

Doug. W. went over some lineup changes for Calvin rather fast, and I wasn't paying close attention.  I know about Systema, but what happened with Schnyders?
After last night I doubt many teams are going to let Mantel run loose.

[ziggy]

Grand Rapids Press write up:
http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2009/01/calvin_christens_new_arena_wit.html

[Roughrider]

Trivia tidbits from the box scores for last night:

Adrian 61, Albion 58 box
Site: Kresge Gymnasium; Albion, Mich.  Attendance: 181

Kalamazoo 69, Alma 65 box
Site: Anderson Athletic Center, Kalamazoo, M  Attendance: 285

Calvin 77, Trine 69 box
Site: Grand Rapids, MI (Van Noord Arena)  Attendance: 4395

Hope 79, Olivet 70 box
Site: Olivet, Mich. (Cutler Event Center  Attendance: 555

On a weekday evening when the weather was extremely bad and travel was hazardous, and many fans were faced with school or work early the next day, it must have been a quiet night at Kresge.  Too bad so few Adrian followers were able to see what must have been one of the great moments in recent Bulldog hoops history.

Knight faithful, count your blessings.  By all reports, the opening night at Van Noord Arena was a rousing success in spite of the weather.

I very much look forward to the rest of the season in the new digs.  The drive across the glove from West to East wasn't so pleasant, however.  Mrs. Ziggy gets the super wife award for last night.

Ziggy, count your blessings too.  I was "benched" by Mrs. RR last night with the prospect of the weather turning a two-hour drive into three or more each way, but under the conditions I can't say I blame her.

RR

[sac]

I don't know why I had it in my head that Adrian was at home last night, but obviously thats a big road win for the Bulldogs.    So really the two toss-up games between contenders went to the road teams.


A couple more thoughts from Olivet

***  James Scott didn't play last night for Olivet, 27 min, 8 pts, 3 rbds, 4th leading scorer.  Obviously when you're missing a starter things change.  This was the 2nd straight game Scott has been out, and I have no idea why.   I don't feel quite as wonderfull about Hope's win this afternoon as I did last night.   One player could have made a big difference for either team.


***  Not only was Olivet just 4-25 from trey but they made their first 3, which means over the last 34 minutes of the game they went 1-22 and the one they made was an off-balanced ugly looking thing that rattled in from Brandon McClary.  I think most coaches would have called it a bad shot.   In retrospect Olivet had a horrible night from behind the arc, Hope had something to do with that as almost all those 3's came with a taller defender's arms in the way but not everything........I don't think that could happen again.

[realist]

Sac:  I would tend to agree that any team counting on Olivet to go 4-25 on 3's at home is in for a rude surprise.  Considering the comment earlier on the lighting one would think that sort of thing would affect the visitors, and favor the home shooters.
Listening to the Calvin/Trine game one couldn't help but wonder what that team would be like if Benford hadn't transferred out.  Your point about one player here or there sure seems true in that case.
A team like Olivet might just feast on Calvin that doesn't do as good a job defending the 3. 
It is going to be interesting to see how Albion reacts, and plays on Sat. at Hope.  My guess is Hope is going to have it's hands full, but the biggest factor is home court.

[hoopdreams]

the only point during last nights contest when I felt "uncomfortable" about hope's situation almost came to fruition.  A steal at midcourt by Osburn with hope up by 10 or 12, and he inexcusably did not pass it off to his teammate who was ahead of the play.  Even if he keeps it and makes the layup, when recent history showed he does not make good decisions in the open court, it should have been adressed by staff.  He  misses 2 FT's (badly) and Olivet went on a 10-0 run.  I thought Hope showed alot by keeping their composure as best they could ( I missed the timeout rant but I hope they didn't deflect everything onto their teammates.  There were some bad decisions shots/passes of their own doing).

But like SAC said, we were fortunate Olivet shot so poorly from the floor after the first 10 minutes of the game.  I was also surprised the Comets didn't force the issue of getting the ball inside, or mid-range.  credit Hope's D but I felt oli settled for too many 3's.  MM loves to turn baseline for his midrange game, did hope force that? or do you think that is something to be addressed next time?

Lack of depth really hurt Olivet tonight, as did their inability to get Hope's starters in any significant foul trouble other than Krombeen, who was exposed a bit more defensively.  Love how he pushes the tempo and has enough confidence to make passes that most would not attempt to make.

FWIW... I'll reiterate that this past fall i gave an opinion that Reimink could be MVP and was lit up for it.  Role player doesn't get it, has to come from league champ, etc..... Until someone takes away the opportunity for him to catch and shoot (how many times can a kid pick and pop?) or get him in seriuos foul trouble, he will continue to kill it.  Nobody works harder and he is deserving! (to this point)

[sac]

Before the Olivet game I brought up a couple key matchups

PG's  Andre Evans v David Krombeen, this one went to Evans easily.  This kid came out on fire and lit up David with a couple 3's and some nice lane pentration and dishoff's.  He forced Hope to switch Peter Bunn on him and Bunn did a better job keeping Evans in front of him.  Evans had a harder time vs Bunn and did little to break down Hope's zone.  He was pretty quiet the rest of the game after the switch and Hope forced him into 5 turnovers.  That was a win for Hope.

Hope played so much zone its really hard to even say there was any individual matchups.  Not to mention all the switching Hope does, its kind of a nightmare to try and follow those things.  Pretty interesting to see Andy Venema 6-8 briefly get Evans 5-9.........red flags went up all over the Hope bench.

Krombeen wasn't a big part of Hope's scoring offense, mostly because he didn't need to be.  Olivet had a tough time handling Bunn who went underneath frequently.  I was caught off-guard by how frequently the ball wasn't in the Hope point guards hands.    I really like Krombeen in transition though, fantastic court awareness.  He's a good one, but last night was probably just an average night.


The other matchup was Reimink v B McClary.   I'll go ahead and call this a draw.  28 points vs 23 points and neither could stop each other really.  Again though Hope played so much zone and switches so much the 1 v 1 matchup didn't materialize alot, but enough.   Those are two good MIAA players I expect to see on the All-MIAA first team.
--------------------------------

This was the shortest Hope bench of the year.  Tanis, Venema and Bosch were the primary subs.   The starters went 32, 33, 31, 33, 34.  

[sac]

Everything's bigger at Calvin...

Does this mean Calvin has a real concession area, with more than just popcorn and candy bars?  Awesome!

By the way the photos of Van Noord are very nice, looks like a first class arena.  I look forward to someday seeing it in person.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Looking ahead to Saturday

Saturday, January 10
Albion at Hope, 3 p.m.
Alma at Calvin, 3 p.m.
Kalamazoo at Adrian, 3 p.m.
Olivet at Trine, 3 p.m.

That Olivet/Trine game became alot bigger last night.  Olivet can't afford any losses on the road or at home to Kzo/Alma/Trine now.  They're a contender but I'm not sure their defense will hold up enough through the season, not enough where they can lose one of these games and still be in the race.

Calvin should have no problem with Alma.  Adrian/Kzoo is probably edge to Adrian, imagine how good the Bulldogs feel finally winning a close game.

Albion/Hope is probably the matchup of the day.  Albion can't afford to go 0-2 just like Olivet and obviously Hope can't afford a home loss.  If this turns into a defensive slugfest, the edge might be Albion's

[oldknight]

Doug. W. went over some lineup changes for Calvin rather fast, and I wasn't paying close attention.  I know about Systema, but what happened with Schnyders?

Last summer Brad broke a bone in his hand and he wasn't given clearance to play until October, just before formal practice began. I understand he's had some pain and is currently not playing because of that. I have no idea how long he will be sidelined.

[oldknight]

Everything's bigger at Calvin...

Does this mean Calvin has a real concession area, with more than just popcorn and candy bars?  Awesome!

VanNoord has not one but two concession areas, one on the concourse level and a second one on the lower level to service those seated in the court-side bleachers. They serve a more extensive "menu" than did the Fieldhouse, including all-beaf hot dogs. Obviously, the condiments are the best--and biggest--in D3.

[MIdoubleA]

Congratulations Calvin and Olivet on new stadiums!

Competition breeds success, and if stadium-building is any indicator, the MIAA is going to be one of the nicer leagues to play in. That should hopefully help our chances at getting more teams to come play here

One of you numbers people go calculate the average age of MIAA gyms. I think it would be interesting to see it compared to other conferences.

Again, congratulations on programs with new facilities. I remember how proud I was (am) of Devos when it first opened. Enjoy the ride!

[calvin_grad]

It was strange.  I'm hoping they can program it to show the team fouls. 

I agree.  As a true fan, how can I complain about the officiating if I can't see the discrepancy in team fouls on the scoreboard?   

[ziggy]

It was strange.  I'm hoping they can program it to show the team fouls. 

I agree.  As a true fan, how can I complain about the officiating if I can't see the discrepancy in team fouls on the scoreboard?   

That should not be a problem.  In my experience, whether or not a foul has been committed has no bearing on whether or not one will be called.  That always leaves me with plenty of opportunities to complain.

[bulldogalum]

Too bad so few Adrian followers were able to see what must have been one of the great moments in recent Bulldog hoops history.

Of the 180 officially in attendance, I'd bet that almost half of them were Adrian fans.  Not many students, but plenty of family members from the looks of it.  It would have been great to have a better crowd, but given the weather I thought it was a pretty decent showing from our side.

As to the status of last night as one of the great moments in recent Bulldog hoops history, it was quite an exciting win.  I guess how high it ranks depends on how recent "recent" is.  It's certainly the greatest win so far this year .  However, in my mind it can only be a truly great moment if we use this win to build momentum over the rest of the season.  I think that's what we'll do, and I look forward to watching it.