MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

The Sentinel has a nice article today about Hope's incoming prospects:

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x41629470/Meet-Hope-mens-basketballs-newest-prospects

This should confirm the following incoming freshman at Hope:

Grant Neil (duh) - 6-4 - West Ottawa
Austin Elling - 6-7 - Hudsonville
Jake Bagley - 6-3 - Van Wert OH
Patrick Robey - 5-10 - Jackson Christian
Nick Van Loo - 6-0 - Hudsonville
Reed Luchies, a 6-2 guard from Fremont
Hayden Davis - 6-7 - Stevensville Lakeshore
Cody Campbell - 5-10 - Swartz Creek
James Slagter - 6-5 - Grand Rapids Christian

Add PG Jordan Howenstine from Lansing Sexton to this list, he sat out last year recovering from a knee injury (or re-injury from rehab) suffored his Sr. year in HS.  He'll be a Fr. eligible at Hope this fall.

Hopefully his knee holds up and he can be a part of the Dutchmen this winter.

[realist]

Hoopd:  I think your worst fear may have happened.  Just received campus advisory to avoid Van Noord area of campus.  Rent a cop hired to direct incoming D1 and D2 transfer traffic.  More later.

[hoopdreams]

Maybe the sentinel can interview Howenstine's coach and receive a quote questioning his ability to make the varsity team too.  If I'm a Hope fan, I appreciate the honesty of the hs coaches but am not exactly holding my breath for any of them to contribute this season, let alone make the varsity team based on what they said about their players.  I have spoken to a couple people affiliated with the ok red, and they say that Elling may contribute down the line but has a lot of work to do before then.  Sounds like many high post/post players at this stage.

FWIW, I believe Jordan is playing with the fellas this summer at times .  Haven't been to games but also have not seen nor heard vennema, jared, or Ross' name at all.  Guessing Ryan's home for the summer.  Did just hear just the recent H/C matchup went down to the wire, nothing new I guess

[oldknight]

Did just hear just the recent H/C matchup went down to the wire, nothing new I guess

Due to the unrelenting telephone calls of a certain board poster I did attend Monday night's summer matchup of Calvin/Hope. Hope won by three with Powell missing a game tying triple from 30+ feet at the buzzer. The score was back and forth all night but when Rodts went down with an ankle sprain at the 9 minute mark of the second half, the Knights didn't respond too well for the next few possessions and Hope took a lead they never relinquished.

It's difficult to know what to make of these summer league games because they are so different from the more structured (and differently officiated) games we see in the winter. For one example, when the Knights closed the gap to two point points in the final minute they then had to foul Hope four straight times just to get the Flying Dutchmen into the bonus. Three team fouls going into the final minute is something we would never see during the regular season.

Hope was missing Bunn and Venema while Calvin had most of their key players but no one from Calvin's JV team of last year was present. I saw both teams demonstrate some good athleticism, especially Bowser and Snikkers. Hope won largely on the strength of better rebounding, something that wouldn't make KVS happy had he been at the game. At this point there isn't a lot of difference between the two teams who seem to sport players of similar styles. The only player who seemed to have a different look from last year was Brad Schnyders. His play was of the typical slash and burn variety we've seen from him, but he clearly has bulked up with a much more muscular physique in the chest, shoulders and upper arms.

[hoopdreams]

Realist- I highly doubt that Calvin would hire a rent-a-cop to direct transfers.  Are you speculating on on this, spreading blatant falsehoods, or were you present during the hiring process?  Maybe I'm reading too much into your statement

Oldknight, I too heard about Brad looking "stronger". I also heard he was involved in an "altercation" towards the end of the game.  He always seems to be in the mix and I'm not saying that is a bad thing.  I get the impression he's the kid you hate to play against but love to have in your foxhole.

I also heard that Overway ran the point with the "starting" group for Hope and made salo look a bit foolish a couple of times (yes I know its summerball) No Krombeen either and has been missing more than a little, must be working.  I also hope that Rodts injury wasn't serious.  does anyone know if Hope recruited him at all in hs?

[Happy Calvin Guy]

http://www.calvin.edu/news/2009-10/other-way/

Great article about what former Calvin forward Paul Campbell is up to in his senior year.  While we'll miss seeing Paul on the hardwood this year, it's awesome to see reminders like this of what the players are accomplishing off the court too. 

[krytonite]

Does anyone know of recruits at Albion or any schools other than Hope or Calvin?  I haven't seen much (or anything) on these schools.

[ziggy]

Does anyone know of recruits at Albion or any schools other than Hope or Calvin?  I haven't seen much (or anything) on these schools.

That has to do with the level of representation of other schools on this board. Aside from we might hear from someone like Steve Bell there isn't a whole lot others can report since not many people run in non-Hope/Calvin circles.

[SBell]

Albion had some real disconnect with its financial aid folk, so its class will be sparse.

Alma may have a top 3 type class with Kyle Aho from Gwinn, Trevor Closs from Cheboygan and Creed Stapleton from Ithaca amongst others.

[KnightSlappy]

Alma may have a top 3 type class with Kyle Aho from Gwinn, Trevor Closs from Cheboygan and Creed Stapleton from Ithaca amongst others.

How many will still be there in two years?

[Knight2Day]

What's the word on Adrian? That new coach was supposed to bring in top dollar recruits (once again a question of how long they will stay) but I haven't heard much on the beat concerning Adrian pulling in recruits.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Albion had some real disconnect with its financial aid folk, so its class will be sparse.

What's the word on Adrian? That new coach was supposed to bring in top dollar recruits

Maybe I'm missing something.....what does Division III recruiting have to do with financial aid offices or "top dollar" recruits, whatever that means.  There was some discussion about a week ago around "leadership scholarships" although I'm not sure which school was being referenced. 

One of the beauties of D3 athletics is that schools can compete for student-athletes on the merit of program/academics/coach/facilities/etc rather than it being an arms race fueled by a big scholarship budget and aggressive boosters.  I hope the game isn't changing into one of who can push the envelope the farthest when it comes to "merit" scholarships.  Am I just naive? 

[KnightSlappy]

Albion had some real disconnect with its financial aid folk, so its class will be sparse.

What's the word on Adrian? That new coach was supposed to bring in top dollar recruits

Maybe I'm missing something.....what does Division III recruiting have to do with financial aid offices or "top dollar" recruits, whatever that means.  There was some discussion about a week ago around "leadership scholarships" although I'm not sure which school was being referenced. 

One of the beauties of D3 athletics is that schools can compete for student-athletes on the merit of program/academics/coach/facilities/etc rather than it being an arms race fueled by a big scholarship budget and aggressive boosters.  I hope the game isn't changing into one of who can push the envelope the farthest when it comes to "merit" scholarships.  Am I just naive? 

MIAA schools are expensive, and some students receive need-based financial aid to attend. If financial aid dollars aren't in place, then these students may look for another school to attend. I'm sure some schools around the country push the envelop for scholarships (I'm confident none of the MIAAers do  ), but there are also athletes that do receive legitimate academic scholarships. Again, if donors aren't there to back scholarships, the school can't give as many out, so students may be forced to look for a less expensive option. Athletes aren't exempt from real life money issues.

[Knight2Day]

Albion had some real disconnect with its financial aid folk, so its class will be sparse.

What's the word on Adrian? That new coach was supposed to bring in top dollar recruits

Maybe I'm missing something.....what does Division III recruiting have to do with financial aid offices or "top dollar" recruits, whatever that means.  There was some discussion about a week ago around "leadership scholarships" although I'm not sure which school was being referenced. 

One of the beauties of D3 athletics is that schools can compete for student-athletes on the merit of program/academics/coach/facilities/etc rather than it being an arms race fueled by a big scholarship budget and aggressive boosters.  I hope the game isn't changing into one of who can push the envelope the farthest when it comes to "merit" scholarships.  Am I just naive? 

When I used the term "top dollar athletes" I wasn't necessarily referring to schools giving aid that is out of bounds in Div. III. I was merely talking about the school getting athletes that you normally wouldn't expect to go to a Div. III school but do for whatever reason, whether it be recruiting, academics, etc. However, I will say that I know individuals personally who have received "merit" scholarships for no other reason than athletics at Div. III institutions. Although most people don't like to believe that everyone doesn't have the same stance on the issue as Gaylyn Byker, there are schools out there who use back-door dealings to get the players they want. It's a shame, but it's the way it goes.

[goodknight]

Maybe "Gaylyn" is getting in touch with hys femynyne syde?

On another summer-serious subject, former Calvin hoopster Ebong Eka is demonstrating some lively entrepreneurship and making a splash on the social scene in Washington.  WOTS is that he may be scoring a role on a reality TV series -- the Real Housewives of D.C.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/07/AR2009080702147.html

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/shopping/5729.html