MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[KnightSlappy]

I don't remember all of the details, but in 2005 John Carroll hit a late shot to take the lead over Albion in the sectional round at Kresge. The Britons only had enough time for a Mike Thomas half court heave. The story goes that the John Carroll students began to run onto the floor at the buzzer, but had to halt a few steps in as Thomas' shot went in the hoop and the Albion students were storming from the opposite end of the floor.

I didn't actually see it go in but what happened was the ball hit the rim and bounced high in the air.  I imagine the JCU students rushed the court feeling they had won........only to see the ball come down and fall through the hoop.

My face went in my hands as soon as the ball hit the rim........everything after that is second hand knowledge.  All I remember is looking up and seeing Albion fans celebrating and my brain telling me this ain't right.

Great memory though.

You missed a heck of a moment, but it wouldn't be quite as infamous a moment if you had actually seen it with your own eyes, haha!

I usually don't just pass along PM's, but this one should be harmless. Here's "the rest of the story" from MIAA in Exile:

OK I think I remember this pretty well, I was doing the Albion internet broadcast, but it's been 7 years so a minor detail or so might be off.  With about 50 seconds left Albion was up 7, but with 7 seconds left was down 4..it was an unbelievable comeback by John Carroll and an unreal collapse by Albion. As JCU hit a ft with 7 seconds, Travis Depree threw a baseball pass to Mike Thomas who made a lay up to cut it to two.  Albion immediately fouled with 3 seconds left.  JCU send a Sr. to the line who promptly missed both free throws.  Depree rebounded the second miss and  passed it to Thomas who made 3 dribbles and then (heres the key, leaned forward as both JCU defenders ran at him thinking he would go up and instead he went under them)  launched his prayer from 35 feet.  Back of rim, front of rim, straight up into the air and in.  There is no video of the shot as the Albion video guy stopped the camera at mid-court, but you see the JCU students rush the court at the buzzer, only to be run over by the Briton team and students.  There was audio archived at one time on D3hoops (both the JCU and Albion broadcasts) and I know I have them somewhere, just not handy.

After the game Dick Reynolds, Otterbien's longtime coach, was watching the video of the last few minutes and talking with some colleagues on a conference call.  His expresssion (both facial and verbal) when the camera stopped at mid court was priceless.  As you well know, it wasn't quite as pleasant for Briton fans the next day, a bit nicer for your Knights, but I'll never forget that game.

Probably more than you are looking for, but any chance to relive the moment is worth it.

[Civic Minded]

I had forgotten about MT going under the defenders, and also had forgotten what fun Travis DePree was to watch.  Thanks for helping me relive the moment, KS!

[sac]

Just one more

One of the things I've had a really hard time grasping this year is the idea that this is Hope's seventh season playing at DeVos Fieldhouse.  It still feels like yesterday when I would occasionally drive by the construction site on my way home from work just to check out the progress.  In those short 7 years Hope's won 4 MIAA Championships, 6 MIAA Tournaments, participated in the NCAA 7 times and been lucky enough to host 5 NCAA tournament games,  tonight will make number 6.  Oh, and they've have won 17 of 24 games against that other school.  It's been a good move.

The best experiences for any student athlete is the opportunity to participate in the national tournament of their sport.  The next best experience is the chance to do it at home in front of your fellow students, friends and family.  We've been really fortunate at Hope because we've had the chance to host so many tournament games in the last 18 seasons.  By my count Hope's teams have played at home 15 times during that stretch, 16 counting tonight.   I don't think very many schools have had that kind of opportunity.

Following the Dutchmen for me this season started way back at Spring Arbor and I was impressed then and have been impressed since.  Matt Neil's put together a mentally tough group of players.  They aren't always the tallest, the quickest or the even the best players on the floor.  But all season long they've looked the best team.   Any criticism I could think of all year always felt a little petty and nit picky to me.  I'm not suggesting they've been perfect or dominating, just consistently good and no matter what was in front of them, they got the job done and it didn't really matter how.

One of the most impressive things has been how this team handled being ranked #1.  That's not easy for anyone.  I've not heard one player, one coach or really too many fans even talk about it, except as a punchline oddly.  Except for one idiot who might be writing this felt it necessary to wave one finger at the Albion students when they broke out the so cliche overrated chant, while losing, I've not seen any fan even acknowledge it.  Not once have I heard a chant of we're number one from the students.  That seems kind of odd really.   While each opponent turned up the amps trying to knock off #1, Hope just went about doing its thing.  Its been impressive.

The start of the tournament always brings up mixed emotions.  The basketball is at its best really, intense, heart pounding action and yet it can end so abruptly just when it gets so good.   Its never easy to see any season end, whether its at the MIAA or NCAA tournaments.  The feeling is still the same, I can't believe its done.  I suppose that's one of the many reason we enjoy the madness so much.

I've gone out of my way to see this years team as much as I could.  I've probably blown my gas budget for about half of the summer, have put on a few pounds from eating way too much food on the road and have probably made a family member or two question my sanity.  But I've enjoyed every moment as much as I ever have. 

Tonight I'll sit in DeVos again hoping to see two good games.  I hope people can appreciate the moment, what we have at Hope, and whats to come.  I hope we can appreciate the hard work that's gone into building this season, this team.  As fans we only get to see about 4 hours of the work each week, the rest is behind the scenes in countless hours of practice, work outs, film study.  All of it taking commitment and dedication we may never know.  No 3,500 fans cheering them on there.

Mostly I'm hoping I get to see one more game Saturday.  And Saturday, I'll hope I get to see another one.  Its just that bittersweet time of year.

[hoopdreams]

well said SAC....the wave of emotions during the next 3 weeks, hopefully, is overwhelming at times.  Pure joy, boundless excitement, nervousness, sadness when it all comes to an end- whether "your" team is cutting down the nets or not.

If there was ever a home court advantage, Hope holds it. The Devos can be magical and electric if the crowd allows it to be.  I'm hoping for 4 more home games and hope can everyone can enjoy the long tourney journey.

Hope plays, Hope wins (BIG tonight)!!!!

[HopeConvert]

well said SAC....the wave of emotions during the next 3 weeks, hopefully, is overwhelming at times.  Pure joy, boundless excitement, nervousness, sadness when it all comes to an end- whether "your" team is cutting down the nets or not.

If there was ever a home court advantage, Hope holds it. The Devos can be magical and electric if the crowd allows it to be.  I'm hoping for 4 more home games and hope can everyone can enjoy the long tourney journey.

Hope plays, Hope wins (BIG tonight)!!!!

Or, you know, whoever has their finger on the music button. 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

well said SAC....the wave of emotions during the next 3 weeks, hopefully, is overwhelming at times.  Pure joy, boundless excitement, nervousness, sadness when it all comes to an end- whether "your" team is cutting down the nets or not.

If there was ever a home court advantage, Hope holds it. The Devos can be magical and electric if the crowd allows it to be.  I'm hoping for 4 more home games and hope can everyone can enjoy the long tourney journey.

Hope plays, Hope wins (BIG tonight)!!!!

Or, you know, whoever has their finger on the music button. 

Exactly - I Hope they pump up the volume!!!!!!   

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Side-track (to take our minds of the fact that the clock is moving so s.....l.....o.....w.....l.....y)

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2012/03/former_hope_college_jenison_ba.html

I think Ty is the third recent Hope player to play in Australia (Marcus VanderHeide and Ryan Klein)

[AlwaysHope]

When was Michael Hankinson added to the varsity team?   What kind of season did he have with the JVs?

Michael started the season doing duel duty w/ both the varsity and jv, then ended the season focusing on the jv for more pt and experience.  He's got potential.  Did you see a roster change somewhere?

I just saw his name on the new roster.

[hope52]

it  is the old  roster


time to get going to  the  game

[Titan Q]

Just FYI...sounds like IWU will be without its Jostens finalist...

Unfortunately it sounds like the Titans will probably have to play UW-Stevens Point without leading scorer Jordan Zimmer.  Zimmer suffered a foot injury Wednesday in practice and has been in a boot since.  X-rays were negative for a break, but this is the same foot he injured last year, and had a pin inserted in.  I guess he is in a lot of pain when doing anything a full speed, and just does not have a lot of mobility.

The most positive thing I have heard is that he "was able to jog a little" this morning.  As recently as a couple hours ago, I've heard his status is "doubtful."

Potential lineup tonight for the Titans might be an unconventional 1 guard/4 forward lineup...

G - Eliud Gonzazlez, 5-9 Sr
F - John Koschnitzky, 6-6 Sr
F - Andrew Ziemnik, 6-5 So
F - Victor Davis, 6-5 So
F - Kevin Reed, 6-7 Jr


IWU will have to find a way to get it done without its 1st Team all-CCIW star.

[realist]

Just FYI...sounds like IWU will be without its Jostens finalist...

Unfortunately it sounds like the Titans will probably have to play UW-Stevens Point without leading scorer Jordan Zimmer.  Zimmer suffered a foot injury Wednesday in practice and has been in a boot since.  X-rays were negative for a break, but this is the same foot he injured last year, and had a pin inserted in.  I guess he is in a lot of pain when doing anything a full speed, and just does not have a lot of mobility.

The most positive thing I have heard is that he "was able to jog a little" this morning.  As recently as a couple hours ago, I've heard his status is "doubtful."

Potential lineup tonight for the Titans might be an unconventional 1 guard/4 forward lineup...

G - Eliud Gonzazlez, 5-9 Sr
F - John Koschnitzky, 6-6 Sr
F - Andrew Ziemnik, 6-5 So
F - Victor Davis, 6-5 So
F - Kevin Reed, 6-7 Jr


IWU will have to find a way to get it done without its 1st Team all-CCIW star.

He has 10 points scored with 7 minutes to go in the half.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

IWU is playing well so far.

[realist]

Yes they are, but one hates to see an early lead evaporate.
IWU 31 to 22 at the half.  Stopped the comeback by UWSP.

[NW Hope Fan]

Impressed so far by the video production. Is this all student run?

[realist]

Impressed so far by the video production. Is this all student run?

They are doing a nice job.  It maybe that Hope has gotten some technical assistance from GVSU that does the Calvin/Hope rivalry games.   .
It looks like the UWSP people are going to get the opportunity to drive up I196 to see their women play at VNA tomorrow.