MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Dutchfan]

Andy Venema does not have an attitude problem. Trust me. as you lay have guessed I', a hope fan. I have never seen Venema Truly lose his cool. The one Technical I saw him get called for is a technical that is called for (don;t remember the game though, sorry) he thought he was foulsed asked the ref (very kindly I'm sure) what the heck he was looking at (I was wondering the same thing. as far as i knoe it IS a fould to hold someone down by their jersy). He got T'd up for it. That just doesn't sound like a major attitude problem.

Can't speak for the other two technicals though.

[Dutchmen 4 Life]

Being familiar with some fine Wooster foks I know that to be true. Some people on this board can get a bit prickly at times but you've got to irritate more than just MIAA posters to develop a -17 karma ranking in fewer than 40 posts. That's got to be some sort of record.

Actually, 2 of the worst Karma/post ratios (at least 1,000 posts ) reside on the MIAC football board.

AO:  -856 Karma on 1025 posts

and the record for absolute number of -K may well be:

Touchdown Tommy: -1676 Karma on 2,808 posts.

There is definitely room at the bottom for WooHooFlungPoo if he keeps up this pace. 

Not that it is hurting my feelings or anything but since the subject has been recently brought up, is there a reason that my karma rating right now is at a -100% (-6 one 6 post)...now 7.  I know a few of my post have been a bit controversial but I don't think that I come onto this board looking for trouble?  Just a question for a more seasoned poster.

[oldknight]

Being familiar with some fine Wooster foks I know that to be true. Some people on this board can get a bit prickly at times but you've got to irritate more than just MIAA posters to develop a -17 karma ranking in fewer than 40 posts. That's got to be some sort of record.

Actually, 2 of the worst Karma/post ratios (at least 1,000 posts ) reside on the MIAC football board.

AO:  -856 Karma on 1025 posts

and the record for absolute number of -K may well be:

Touchdown Tommy: -1676 Karma on 2,808 posts.

There is definitely room at the bottom for WooHooFlungPoo if he keeps up this pace. 

Not that it is hurting my feelings or anything but since the subject has been recently brought up, is there a reason that my karma rating right now is at a -100% (-6 one 6 post)...now 7.  I know a few of my post have been a bit controversial but I don't think that I come onto this board looking for trouble?  Just a question for a more seasoned poster.

I reviewed every one of your 7 posts and can't answer your question. There's nothing in them that should be offensive to anyone. It's been my experience that it's not always easy to understand why a particular post draws some smite. I've been left scratching my head more than once on mine. Every poster has his or her own threshold for giving applause or smite. Personally, I give far more applause to posters and only offer smite to posts that are exceptionally offensive or stupid--and they usually must be done in a series. I can count on one hand the amount of negative karma I've passed out since the first of the year.

BTW: +k for asking the question.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

As I think about the poll question about the early favorite for 2010-11, I was struck by how few seniors had a significant impact this year.  Only three seniors made the combined 12 spots on the first and second team all MIAA (John Mantel and Matt Veltema on the first team and Chris Nelis on the second team).  Very few others were significantly impactful players this year.   I may be missing a few, but ones that got signifiant minutes include names like Wes Wier, Andre Bridges, Dave Stasiak, Michael Staley, Matt Wayne, Isaac Thaler, Paul Campbell, Andy Clark, and Glenn Alfieri.

Clearly Calvin loses the most talent to graduation.  (but as we all know Tradition Never Graduates, so at least we have that going for us). 

I see Hope being the team to beat for next season, but Olivet, Adrian, and Calvin could be in the mix as well.  Kalamazoo, Alma, and Trine should improve on their 09-10 versions, perhaps catching up a bit with Albion. 

I'm interested to start hearing about the incoming freshman/transfer classes as information becomes public.

[KnightSlappy]

Maybe the league tops .500 in non-con play next year?

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Maybe the league tops .500 in non-con play next year?

....and maybe a Pool C bid from the MIAA?  MIAA has gotten two teams in the NCAA tourney only 7 times in history and not since 2007.

[thealmascots]

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!

Hard to agree that Bunn's turnovers in the first  three minutes of the game had any impact.  Hope was up 9 at the half.  This game was lost in the second half when Hope was outscored by 16.

[sac]

Don't sell Albion short, they had a very good Fr class with 4 varsity contributers.....with two Fr. cracking the starting lineup at the start of the year.  One of them 6-7 Jake Robison who had to sit out the 2nd semester.....he could have made a real difference for this years Albion team.  I'm assuming he returns next year.

Overall they will be very young.

[KnightSlappy]

Hard to agree that Bunn's turnovers in the first  three minutes of the game had any impact.  Hope was up 9 at the half.  This game was lost in the second half when Hope was outscored by 16.

Every turnover and every basket has an impact on the game just as every game has an impact of the season.

Did the Tigers lose the division in the last week, or did they lose the division in July when they had a stretch where they lost 4 out of 5 by a 2-1 margin? Truth is, any single win in the season would have won the division.

Maybe Hope would have lost anyway, but would the last few minutes have been different if Hope had an extra basket or two earlier in the game?

[thealmascots]

Hard to agree that Bunn's turnovers in the first  three minutes of the game had any impact.  Hope was up 9 at the half.  This game was lost in the second half when Hope was outscored by 16.

Every turnover and every basket has an impact on the game just as every game has an impact of the season.

Did the Tigers lose the division in the last week, or did they lose the division in July when they had a stretch where they lost 4 out of 5 by a 2-1 margin? Truth is, any single win in the season would have won the division.

Maybe Hope would have lost anyway, but would the last few minutes have been different if Hope had an extra basket or two earlier in the game?

OK, maybe I shouldn't have typed "any" impact.  What I'm saying is that to lead with that when you are listing your reasons for Hope's loss seems like a stretch.  The two teams took a 15 minute break at the half and when they started playing again Hope had a 9 point advantage.  I doubt whether Glenn was spending time at the half wondering if they could overcome those three or four missed opportunities early in the game.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Maybe the league tops .500 in non-con play next year?

....and maybe a Pool C bid from the MIAA?  MIAA has gotten two teams in the NCAA tourney only 7 times in history and not since 2007.

It'd be great to see the MIAA get two teams in next year. Has the MIAA ever managed to get three in in one year? That could be a long-term goal for the league.

Certainly the MIAA needs to improve it's non-conference record to have a chance for that to happen.

[ScotsFan]

Being familiar with some fine Wooster foks I know that to be true. Some people on this board can get a bit prickly at times but you've got to irritate more than just MIAA posters to develop a -17 karma ranking in fewer than 40 posts. That's got to be some sort of record.

Actually, 2 of the worst Karma/post ratios (at least 1,000 posts ) reside on the MIAC football board.

AO:  -856 Karma on 1025 posts

and the record for absolute number of -K may well be:

Touchdown Tommy: -1676 Karma on 2,808 posts.

There is definitely room at the bottom for WooHooFlungPoo if he keeps up this pace. 

Not that it is hurting my feelings or anything but since the subject has been recently brought up, is there a reason that my karma rating right now is at a -100% (-6 one 6 post)...now 7.  I know a few of my post have been a bit controversial but I don't think that I come onto this board looking for trouble?  Just a question for a more seasoned poster.

I reviewed every one of your 7 posts and can't answer your question. There's nothing in them that should be offensive to anyone. It's been my experience that it's not always easy to understand why a particular post draws some smite. I've been left scratching my head more than once on mine. Every poster has his or her own threshold for giving applause or smite. Personally, I give far more applause to posters and only offer smite to posts that are exceptionally offensive or stupid--and they usually must be done in a series. I can count on one hand the amount of negative karma I've passed out since the first of the year.
BTW: +k for asking the question.

Totally agree.  Rarely do I ever smite.  What always makes me laugh is when you get into a bit of a disagreement with certain posters and come back later to see your karma has taken a hit.  Like that's going to make me lay off?  Right.    I'm much more generous with handing out +k than I am about smiting. 

BTW, +k from me as well Dutchmen. 

[KnightSlappy]

I regularly give out +k and -k.

As a general rule, I give -k when someone mentions that their karma has taken a hit (I didn't for Dutchmen 4 Life in this case, he's new)

I also give out -k when it seems like a post's intent is simply to bring someone else down (unless it's a Calvin fan bringing down Hope. )

I did give Dutchmen 4 Life a -k for his post about the Calvin students "stealing" a cheer.

[hope_hoops1]

A tough loss on Friday for the Dutchmen as many people have hit on.  I didn't make the trip, but it sounded like a disapointing loss.  I'm not going to talk about that game since this group had an outstanding season and overachieved in my opinion by making the tournament.  I thought Calvin had the edge but Hope answered the bell at the right time to make the tournament.

Hats off to the seniors (both to Hope and league-wide).  As was mentioned, there wasn't a lot of seniors on the all-conference teams, but the impact of seniors is often felt more than just in the box score.  I know Hope will miss Nelis and Jungling for more than their points/rebounds/assists and the same will go for the other teams.

Looking towards next year, it would seem Hope is the favorite.  They return 4 of 5 starters and also most of their key contributors off the bench.  I'd like to see Venema drop 20 lbs in the offseason so he is more effective on the defensive end and then I think Hope would survive the first weekend of the NCAA tournament.

Thanks to everyone for a great season.  It was good to have more participation from the schools not named Hope/Calvin and I hope that can continue. 

[Happy Calvin Guy]

It'd be great to see the MIAA get two teams in next year. Has the MIAA ever managed to get three in in one year?

Never three in one season.  I think the only way that would happen would be 1)  strong non conference performance for the entire league 2) Two very dominant teams atop the league and 3)  another team, 3-seed or lower, stealing the AQ by winning the league tournament. 

I don't foresee this as a possibility in 2010-11.