MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Flying Dutch Fan]

In honor of KII's service to our country and the Calvin JV's comfortable victory over Hope's previously undefeated frosh squad, I quaffed a 16oz. Sundog at New Holland Brewing Company this afternoon. Other than that, all quiet on the western front.

Too bad the Knights couldn't win with their real JV team - had to bring down a varsity player so you could win the jv game

I don't think it was a call that was made but the three that Calvin (Rodts I think?) hit with mere seconds left in the half.  If I recall correctly there was a defensive breakdown by Hope that gave Calvin an excellent look at the basket.

Nope - he was still mad about the absolutely blown call on the Nelis layup with about 10 seconds left.  No way Veltema was in position to take a charge, yet that is what was called

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Kudos to Hope winning the 5 on 8 game they played today.   Is it bad form to comment that  the officiating was horrid, even when you won?  Well if so I'm sorry, but I've got to comment on 'em as I see 'em.  Soemone mentioned that if we replay this game tomorrow, it's a sure Calvin win.  That would be true if it had the same lopsided officiating as today.  No doubt in my mind that this game is a 10-15 point Hope win if the officials are consistent.

All that being said, Hope did what was necessary to win.  Great games by Bowser, Nelis (no ill effects of his ankle injury), Venema, and Bunn.  Big defensive contribution from Snuggerud as mentioned by others. 

Hope plays, Hope Wins

[AndersDY]

I believe there were 2 former varsity players on Calvin's JV today as both DeBoer and DeYoung were in the game, but were in the varsity picture in the program. I assume the team's progress somehow led to them being demoted at some point? I missed the entire JV game at Calvin so I don't know if either played in the first game.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I know that Adam DeYoung played for the JV in the first game.  From what I heard, Matt DeBoer played in his first JV game today

[knights2000]

I believe there were 2 former varsity players on Calvin's JV today as both DeBoer and DeYoung were in the game, but were in the varsity picture in the program. I assume the team's progress somehow led to them being demoted at some point? I missed the entire JV game at Calvin so I don't know if either played in the first game.

DeBoer and DeYoung have played every JV game, including the first game vs. Hope, so you may disregard FDF's comment about bring down players.


Good to see both Calvin and Hope play hard through the inconsistent (at best) officiating. Hopefully we'll see the two meet up again later this month.

[hope1]

yes i think if hope played calvin    tonight   hope would still win  peter did not have his best game    hope keeps on playing better now 5 wins in a row to on the road on at alma wed at olivet sat night     some tough game coming up for both  teams with calvin at  olivet wed night

[oldknight]

I believe there were 2 former varsity players on Calvin's JV today as both DeBoer and DeYoung were in the game, but were in the varsity picture in the program. I assume the team's progress somehow led to them being demoted at some point? I missed the entire JV game at Calvin so I don't know if either played in the first game.

Both DeBoer and DeYoung have been playing JV ball all year and then dressing for the varsity game. They don't play much on varsity although DeYoung has gotten a few minutes when KVS has needed a people mover. The two other freshmen (Powell and Snikkers) have been strictly varsity players all season.

Hope won because of Calvin's inability to finish and because of Nelis' unbelievably courageous performance. Chris was truly heroic with 14 points, 8 boards and stout defense in 32 minutes, all on a bum wheel. He may not have had the best stats in the game but I would give him the MVP award if there was one to award. In the FWIW Department, I thought the charge on Nelis at the end of the half was a poor call. On the other hand, Chris was the beneficiary of a very obvious charge against Mantel that Ray Kelser--normally a pretty decent ref--inexplicably missed earlier in the half.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I believe there were 2 former varsity players on Calvin's JV today as both DeBoer and DeYoung were in the game, but were in the varsity picture in the program. I assume the team's progress somehow led to them being demoted at some point? I missed the entire JV game at Calvin so I don't know if either played in the first game.

DeBoer and DeYoung have played every JV game, including the first game vs. Hope, so you may disregard FDF's comment about bring down players.

My apologies if my information was wrong.  Unfortunately there's no place to go to verfiy JV stats.

[arena]

So the students aren't fans? 

You're suggesting all fans are students?  Maybe I should have said "other fans" so you could understand.  I don't usually talk down to my audience, but I guess I could begin so you could understand.   

Once again, someone needs to go and prove the statement below.

Good grief, relax man.

[pointlem]

Some observations from Hope-Calvin III:

Tom Snikkers is one impressive player—very confident, strong, and skilled in driving to the basket.

John Mantel fought very hard around the basket, gaining many second opportunities after missed shots.  I can't recall ever seeing him play so tough.

David Krombeen may be struggling with his long-range shooting this year (his stats were much better last year, which shows what he can and will again do), but his ability to convert around the basket is still jaw-dropping.

Calvin fans:  does Nate Snuggerud's ability to block shots bring back memories of Josh Meckes?

Until the game's last minute, Calvin had attempted 23 free throws to Hope's 3.

Yes, GVW's upset at the end of the half was over what some of us called "Calvin's 5-point play" (after Calvin ended the half with a buzzer-beater three rather than Nelis going to the line to shoot two when—if I, and 3000 Hope fans, could be allowed but one disagreement with the refs—he was fouled as he and Veltema together went to the basket. 

Bottom line:  this was another classic and was positive in every sense.  Great game.  Positive coaching from both benches.  Great fan and player energy and sportsmanship (with neither student section intruding into the other's space). 

[almcguirejr]

I thought Calvin lost today because they played soft.  Calvin had so many opportunities to score in close and we're weak when we get to the basket.  We don't anticipate body contact and give ourselves a chance to make a 3 point play. JM goes right around Venema to start the game and misses a layup.  I thought that set a bad tone right from the start.  Our inside play wasn't good.  I don't think Will Bowser is very effective when he's away from the basket but we don't ever box the guy out and he eats our lunch.  I'm disappointed in how Calvin played.  I thought after the way they fought in the Albion game last week we would be stronger.  Calvin had a chance to really put Hope and everyone else in the league away today and I don't think we came out and played with toughness or confidence that was necessary to win.

[sac]

--55% ft shooter JC Cruse went 14-16 from the stripe and 32 points in the losing effort vs Olivet.

--Michael McClary had 19pts 12 rbs in Olivet's come from behind win at Albion, down 9 with 13 to go.

--Ryan Clark had 28 of Kzoo's 56 points in their 3 point win over Alma tonight.

--Adrian trailed Trine by 12 with 9 1/2 minutes to go and rallied to win by 1 scoring 5 points in the final 24 seconds and getting the game winning 3 from Fr. Delano Collins.......Trine missed the front end of 2 1-1's in the final 40 seconds to give the Bulldogs a chance.

[sac]

Lost in all the hoopla and bickering about stripes was that Calvin scored one FG in the final 4:13, John Mantel had zero points in the final 9 minutes and Matt Veltema had only 2 FT's........maybe a little bit of good D from the Dutchmen when it counted.

[sac]

Standings  + for road win/ - for home loss

Calvin 7-1     +3
Hope 6-2       +1
Adrian 5-3     +1
Albion 4-4     +1
Olivet 4-4      +1
Kzoo 4-4       0
Trine 2-6       -3
Alma 0-8       -4


Wednesday, February 3
Trine at Albion, 8 p.m.
Kalamazoo at Adrian, 7:30 p.m.
Hope at Alma, 7:30 p.m.
Calvin at Olivet, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 6
Trine at Calvin, 3 p.m.
Albion at Kalamazoo, 3 p.m.
Adrian at Alma, 3 p.m.
Hope at Olivet, 7:30 p.m.

......looks like the media throngs following the MIAA will be setting up camp in Olivet this week.

[sac]

In 10 years only 1 player has led the league in scoring and rebounding and he was rightfully named the leagues MVP and his team finishded 3rd in the league standings.

False.

See Isaac Smith
http://www.miaa.org/mbb/stats/0607/confonly.htm#conf.wki

My apologies to Isaac Smith..........but the point still stands Michael McClary was having a better MIAA season at the halfway point than both Crawford or Smith.