MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[almcguirejr]

Report from the game (Sentinel did not send a reporter)

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x1445717195/Flying-Dutchmen-knocked-out-of-D-III-tourney

Platteville perspective:

http://www.uwplatt.edu/athletics/basketball/mens/0809/ncaa1.html

[miaafan2]

Gee, Wiz, I didn't know you had such a "historical perspective" on Calvin basketball.

Gotta run now, but I'll share a little more history with you this weekend.  I think you'll like it!

More history:  The 2008-2009 Hope College Men's Basketball Team
(clap, clap  clap, clap, clap)

How old are you?

(Jesus... Please take the hate away...)

I agree.  Isn't this just a basketball game?  Is basketball (and sports in general) so important that we have to rejoice when our "rivals" lose?  To be clear, I am a Calvin fan, and have been for almost 25 years.  I will continue to be in the future.  When Calvin and Hope play against each other, I will always cheer for Calvin, and my desire is that Calvin always win.

Having said that, for 2 hours last night, I was a Hope fan, and I'm sad they lost.

[hoopdreams]

I learned a valuable and very painful lesson about supporting conference rivals when I was a sophomore in HS.  Our team was knocked out in the district finals, but our school hosted regionals.  As a team we went to watch our rival school play in our gym, and took great pleasure in watching them get beat up pretty good.

At halftime our coach came up into the stands, pulled all of us out and brought us into his classroom.  He was intense and extremely passionate about our sport, and on a daily basis preached " a family concept of team". We were brothers.  I cannot put into words how dissappointed he was in us for wishing ill will on a conference opponent.  In a game, we were to do everything in our power to defeat them, but outside the lines we were to support them like family because they were representing our conference.

This happened almost 30 years ago and I remember it like last week.  For the life of me, I've NEVER understood how we cannot support one another, if "our school" doesn't have an opportunity to be successful.  Seems pretty childlike IMO.

Hope was completely out of their league last night, in all facets of the game. It reminded me of last years group knowing exactly what they needed to do and had veterans executing.  I would love to go tonight because it will be a great game but will support the ladies instead.  I absolutely love the passion and style of both programs.  Platt had more open looks than should be allowed by law and it was all set up with dribble penetration towards the hoop.  It seems like a concept that could really catch on someday.

As far as Hope recruits, I think they may be struggling a bit.  Lots of faces in and out but few were at games on a regular basis, at least from my viewpoint.  No one commited for sure that I'm aware of.  As far as Vandussen, I have been told that there are people close who DO NOT want him at hope

[hopefan]

AlMcguire - as long as you want to get things right, stand corrected again...
Wash U beat Lawrence 67-65, not St. Lawrence.....

[almcguirejr]

#2Wash U 67  #25Lawrence U 65

AlMcguire - as long as you want to get things right, stand corrected again...
Wash U beat Lawrence 67-65, not St. Lawrence.....

I am willing to be corrected but I did not post it wrong.  I do have a member of the family who is an optometrist.

[northb]

I'm waiting for a game review from the Hope faithful who must have gone to the game.  Are you willing to venture forth with a review?  Nursing a hangover? Depression?

[hoopdreams]

Hope did not play well in many facets-
Rebounding
Free throw shooting
defensively- they always try to force opponents baseline, which is exactly what Platt wanted to do.  One player made the adjustment to drop down helpside to the baseline to take away skippass along baseline.
When Hope tried to pick up pressure in second half, platt made backdoor cuts for easy layups.
Their shooters had unbelievable looks at the hoop because of penetration and kickouts, and their team made the extra pass.  it doesn't hurt having a relatively agile 6'10" player on the floor.  He must have been a really late bloomer because I thought he was really good.
The biggest dissappointment to me was the fact that Hope did not make the extra pass offensively last night.  Forced shots, contested shots when teaammates had potentially "better looks" was the theme last night. Borderline selfish. Caused by the importance of the game itself???

It hurt as well with Reimink not able to get shots or spending time off the floor because of fouls.  Hope reverted to the " team of december and january" who looked lost without the O going through Jesse.

You always want to play as best as possible in your last game and they obviously did not do that. Mostly because of their opponent, Platt played outstanding and would beat Hope (and Calvin probably) 8 of 10 times.

Kudos to the seniors who represented Hope with class.  Their efforts did not go unnoticed and will be remembered.

[hopefan]

almcguire - yikes, send me his number quickly!!!!!  sorry....

[hoopdreams]

Hope ever have a MR. BASKETBALL on their roster?  VanDussen was named 1 of 5 finalists for the award.  No disrespect to any of the players but this is the weakest group of finalists, in general, in ...ever?

[oldknight]

As far as Vandussen, I have been told that there are people close who DO NOT want him at hope

A few at Calvin don't want him at Hope either.

[almcguirejr]

almcguire - yikes, send me his number quickly!!!!!  sorry....

No problem.  Do you find your arms getting shorter when trying to read?
I'm in that stage right now.

[northb]

As far as Vandussen, I have been told that there are people close who DO NOT want him at hope

A few at Calvin don't want him at Hope either.

Please clarify--people close to him that do not want him to go to Hope, or people at Hope who do not want him there (and why?)

Thanks

[Titan Q]

I watched the Hope vs UW-Platteville game last night via WETN.  I thought Hope did a great job defensively for about the first 12 minutes or so.  They did a terrific job denying Skemp the ball, and it was a team effort in doing so - it was textbook stuff.  But at the same time, during that opening stretch when it was close, UW-Platteville was a) a little sloppy with the basketball, and b) not making open perimeter shots.  In addition to Hope's solid defense, those two factors helped the Flying Dutchmen hang around.  I also thought Hope's shot selection was questionable most of the 1st half.

Bottom line, Hope was just out-manned.  They had no answer for the big man on either end of the floor, and in general, Platteville was just so much more physical at almost every position.  If those two teams played 10 times on a neutral court, I'm not sure Hope would win more that once.

The Wheaton vs UW-Platteville game should be a classic.  I think Wheaton will have a lot of problems with Skemp.  My money is on Kent Raymond being the difference though.   

[oldknight]

As far as Vandussen, I have been told that there are people close who DO NOT want him at hope

A few at Calvin don't want him at Hope either.

Please clarify--people close to him that do not want him to go to Hope, or people at Hope who do not want him there (and why?)

Thanks

Hoopdreams' comment was ambiguous (maybe intentionally so) but I'll venture a guess. I can think of at least three people who might not want VanDussen at Hope. Their first names are David, Peter and Ty.

[almcguirejr]

As far as Vandussen, I have been told that there are people close who DO NOT want him at hope

A few at Calvin don't want him at Hope either.

Please clarify--people close to him that do not want him to go to Hope, or people at Hope who do not want him there (and why?)

Thanks

Hoopdreams' comment was ambiguous (maybe intentionally so) but I'll venture a guess. I can think of at least three people who might not want VanDussen at Hope. Their first names are David, Peter and Ty.

Kelvin and Scott also (although Carter's not listed on the roster on the Hope website)