MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Carthage up 18 with 16 seconds to go over Anderson.

Steve D. 30pts 10 assists and 6 rebounds

Next year we both get this guy on his home court in the MIAA/CCIW challenge.

[almcguirejr]

IWU defeats #1 team and 2 time dfending champ Wash U 75-70.

Almost a 3-0 night for the CCIW.

[Dutchmen 4 Life]

I'm curious as to what you Hope fans think about Andy Venema.  He obviously has a major attitude problem, which anyone can see watching him play.  How long do you put up with this technical foul bs?  If I were his teammate he'd have heard about it after his first of the season.  Sorry, but the guy obviously puts himself above the team.

This is news to this Hope fan.

This is news to me as well.  As a student I find Andy to be a very nice kid with a lot of natural talent.  With some hard work in the off season I believe he could be a huge part of Hope's offense next year.  The so called technical foul bs is a bit iffy as well because a couple of them were a bit ticky tack in my opinion.  For sure the one at Olivet when he got it for delay of game.  Many players grab the ball after going through the net, this does not mean that they are selfish players by any means.

[Dutchfan]

I have never noticed Andy Venema to have an attitude problem. At least no more than any other player.

Andy Venema is averaging 2.71 Fouls per game. Here is a list of the league leader in fouls per game.


Name      Team   Fouls   games   Average
Chris Nelis      Hope   90   28   3.21
Matt Wayne   Adrian   79   26   3.03
Nathan Jennings   Olivet   27   78   2.88
Jake Robinson   Albion   25    9   2.77
Andre Bridges   Albion   72   26   2.77
Andy venema    Hope   57   21   2.71



Stinger, what team are you a fan of? I just ask because I'm new to here and would like to know.

[Stinger]

Venema had at least 3 techs on the season.Olivet,  the one at K for jawing at the refs and the other night for shoving a player. I was just curious. Personally, I wouldn't stand for that. Guess it's a matter of how you do things on the court. And I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Hope fans would defend the actions. Thanks for answering my questions. Cheers. Happy offseason. 

[scottiedawg]

Hope simply didn't execute down the stretch.  Following Venema's 3 at the 11:57 mark, Hope was up 50-42 and had a real chance to put St. Norbert away.  Excepting Bunn's FT's, all of the subsequent Hope possessions seemed to end in midrange jumpers, often not great shot selections.  Throw in the four free throws for St Norbert because of Venema's technical. and the momentum had seriously shifted.  Will Bowser put the team on his back for seven crucial points in two straight possessions.  But in the end, poor shot selection, a few questionable no calls on shots in the paint for Hope, and a Dave Wipperfurth 3 sealed the deal. 

Bunn didn't play a good game with four turnovers in the first seven minutes of the game.  Even though he scored 11, he was a non-factor offensively.

The offense really stagnated whenever Krombeen took a seat.  He played a good game, getting in passing lanes, and keeping the offensive energy high.  If his shot ever returns, he becomes a really special player.  It's shown no signs of returning though.

Chris Nelis' two 3's in the first five minutes kept Hope in the game when they had nothing going offensively.  You'd like to see him get more than zero rebounds.  He'll be missed next year.

Andy Venema showed me a lot, and also came up lacking a lot.  Most of the things he does either have a wow factor, or an epic fail factor.  He needs to get more comfortable and creative in the post.  He wants to shoot as soon as possible after receiving the entry pass.  It's predictable, and easy to block, even for shorter players.  he doesn't need to improve a lot to be a real difference maker next year.

Will Bowser has really grown up, and while he didn't meet our expectations after the "working out with D1 players in the offseason" bit, he brings a lot.  He's learning how to control his body and avoid those pesky offensive fouls that drive us all nuts.  His shot looks as good as anyone on the team.  If I'm playing Hope, having to defend Bunn and Bowser down the stretch would be a nightmare.

Nate Snuggerud showed both his lack of experience and his fantastic potential.  He's already got a developed body for a freshmen, great athleticism, and solid post moves.  I think he starts next year.

On Venema's T, it was across the court and tough to see, but didn't look like much.  Granted, he probably said something too.  After that, he played post defense with his hands down, allowing inferior players use poor post moves and still score. With 8 minutes to go, and saddled by three fouls he needed to be careful, but once the three minute came, he needed to buck up and give a foul.  It would have killed momentum, and there's no way Pfitzinger was making both.   

In a game this close, the ifs abound.  If Bunn didn't turn the ball over three times in the first three minutes; if Nelis get more than zero rebounds; if Venema doesn't get that T; etc, etc.  But I really think Hope's poor shot selection down the stretch was the deciding factor.  Perimeter jump shots from Venema and Snuggerud and a forced three from Tanis, really stick out in my mind.  We needed to give the post a touch like we did for the first 25 minutes of the game, then let Krombeen dictate to Bunn and Bowser.  It was definitely tough to swallow since defeating a 22-3 ranked team who was complaining about being put in such a strong region (they thought they deserved better) was within our grasp.  I think next year's team has a chance to be pretty special.  Not Vanderheide, Klein, Wolfe, Reimink, VanSolkema 07-08 special but better than the 05-06 team that lost in the sweet sixteen at Wittenberg, and maybe better than the 06-07 Cramer led team that lost also lost at Quandt in the Elite 8.  Go Hope!

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Venema had at least 3 techs on the season.Olivet,  the one at K for jawing at the refs and the other night for shoving a player. I was just curious. Personally, I wouldn't stand for that. Guess it's a matter of how you do things on the court. And I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Hope fans would defend the actions. Thanks for answering my questions. Cheers. Happy offseason. 

I don't think 3 fouls equates to a bad attitude. The T on Friday was the classic case of the St. Norbert player being a bit aggressive and Venema reacting and being the one who gets caught. Did it cost Hope the game? No. Was the timing awful? Yes.

That said Hope just didn't play a great game on Friday night. I believe they should have won that game and would have with a more consistent effort over the course of the game. Hope should return everyone but Jungling and Nelis and be a strong, experienced team. Hopefully that takes the team far.

Can anyone give thoughts on JV players who may join varsity? I know it's a bit early but any news on incoming freshman who could contribute?

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Bunn didn't play a good game with four turnovers in the first seven minutes of the game.  Even though he scored 11, he was a non-factor offensively.

During the chat session on the side of the video stream someone mentioned that Bunn was playing sick. Anyone know if that is true? Bunn didn't seem as explosive to me as normal and that would explain it.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Bunn didn't play a good game with four turnovers in the first seven minutes of the game.  Even though he scored 11, he was a non-factor offensively.

During the chat session on the side of the video stream someone mentioned that Bunn was playing sick. Anyone know if that is true? Bunn didn't seem as explosive to me as normal and that would explain it.

Bunn was indeed sick - in fact he had to have IV fluids earlier in the week, and I don't think had his legs back from being sick

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Venema had at least 3 techs on the season.Olivet,  the one at K for jawing at the refs and the other night for shoving a player. I was just curious. Personally, I wouldn't stand for that. Guess it's a matter of how you do things on the court. And I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Hope fans would defend the actions. Thanks for answering my questions. Cheers. Happy offseason. 

I don't think 3 fouls equates to a bad attitude. The T on Friday was the classic case of the St. Norbert player being a bit aggressive and Venema reacting and being the one who gets caught. Did it cost Hope the game? No. Was the timing awful? Yes.

That said Hope just didn't play a great game on Friday night. I believe they should have won that game and would have with a more consistent effort over the course of the game. Hope should return everyone but Jungling and Nelis and be a strong, experienced team. Hopefully that takes the team far.

Can anyone give thoughts on JV players who may join varsity? I know it's a bit early but any news on incoming freshman who could contribute?

Andy had two T's called on him this year for delay of game (touching the ball after it went through the basket).  It's a bad habit but hardly an attitude problem

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Venema had at least 3 techs on the season.Olivet,  the one at K for jawing at the refs and the other night for shoving a player. I was just curious. Personally, I wouldn't stand for that. Guess it's a matter of how you do things on the court. And I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Hope fans would defend the actions. Thanks for answering my questions. Cheers. Happy offseason. 

I don't think 3 fouls equates to a bad attitude. The T on Friday was the classic case of the St. Norbert player being a bit aggressive and Venema reacting and being the one who gets caught. Did it cost Hope the game? No. Was the timing awful? Yes.

That said Hope just didn't play a great game on Friday night. I believe they should have won that game and would have with a more consistent effort over the course of the game. Hope should return everyone but Jungling and Nelis and be a strong, experienced team. Hopefully that takes the team far.

Can anyone give thoughts on JV players who may join varsity? I know it's a bit early but any news on incoming freshman who could contribute?

Andy had two T's called on him this year for delay of game (touching the ball after it went through the basket).  It's a bad habit but hardly an attitude problem

I wonder if Andy was given a warning before the T in these instances? I didn't see either one so I can't comment on whether it was a real delay or not but you see players touch the ball after it goes through the hoop at all levels of the game and it's rare that it's called a T. To have that happen twice in one season is a bit amazing.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

There was a warning in both cases. 

[oldknight]

Bunn didn't play a good game with four turnovers in the first seven minutes of the game.  Even though he scored 11, he was a non-factor offensively.

During the chat session on the side of the video stream someone mentioned that Bunn was playing sick. Anyone know if that is true? Bunn didn't seem as explosive to me as normal and that would explain it.

Bunn was indeed sick - in fact he had to have IV fluids earlier in the week, and I don't think had his legs back from being sick

Not only was Bunn sick, I'm told he didn't practice all week. It shows how little things make all the difference between moving on and going home. If Bunn is sick when Hope takes on Calvin, I'm confident the results of their games this year are different. Just some bad luck for the Dutch.

[northb]

Stinger, what team are you a fan of? I just ask because I'm new to here and would like to know.

Stinger is a fan of Kalamazoo.  He has sometimes been, er... provocative on the board in the past, but has actually been rather well-behaved this year.  As his signature line may indicate (as well as Kalamazoo's record against Hope), he has no love lost for the Flying Dutchmen.  But I think he makes a good point...

[ChicagoHopeNut]

There was a warning in both cases. 

Good to know. Well that is definitely something for Venema to focus on this summer. You can't get T's for that when the refs are giving you warnings before calling it.

Of course that had nothing to do with this weekend and I don't think it changed the games during the regular season but just something that can't happen next year.