MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Former Calvin JV player Alex Mustert has resurfaced at D2 Northern Michigan.

[13xchamp]

Guys, I understand the perspective that we are going to lean toward being this is a basketball message board, but sometime these student athletes that are paying $30k plus/yr make decisions based on, you know, the "student" part of that equation and not a depth chart. It's fun and amusing to speculate, but it's been known for quite some time that Ryan was going to go to MSU to pursue his degree, he just publicly announced it on twitter around the same time the news of Visser's intent to enroll at Calvin broke and fueled much of the speculation raised on this board.

As to Mitch, with Snikkers and DeBoer graduating, he was the only returner that was in the regular rotation at the 3, so he would really have to regress not to get a ton of PT. Sometimes other circumstances come up leading these young men to make decisions that we don't always understand, God works in mysterious ways. I wish them well in their future endeavors, and thank them for their contribution to the Calvin program.

[oldknight]

Guys, I understand the perspective that we are going to lean toward being this is a basketball message board, but sometime these student athletes that are paying $30k plus/yr make decisions based on, you know, the "student" part of that equation and not a depth chart. It's fun and amusing to speculate, but it's been known for quite some time that Ryan was going to go to MSU to pursue his degree, he just publicly announced it on twitter around the same time the news of Visser's intent to enroll at Calvin broke and fueled much of the speculation raised on this board.

As to Mitch, with Snikkers and DeBoer graduating, he was the only returner that was in the regular rotation at the 3, so he would really have to regress not to get a ton of PT. Sometimes other circumstances come up leading these young men to make decisions that we don't always understand, God works in mysterious ways. I wish them well in their future endeavors, and thank them for their contribution to the Calvin program.

Well stated and welcome to the board.  No one likes to see any student leave their school before graduation—irrespective of whether the student is an athlete or non-athlete—but I wish Ryan and Mitch well and thank them for their contributions.

Some have speculated whether Austin Parks is ready to take over the point from Rietema/Powell. The fact is, Austin has played too few varsity minutes (and no quality minutes) to say for sure. I did see Parks play a couple of JV games, but the fact of the matter is I just don't know the answer. The decision of what to do at point, and how well it will be handled, is the most interesting and important one for Calvin's 2013-14 season.  Whoever wins the prize does get the luxury of playing with a talented, tall and experienced front line—along with a top shelf 2 guard.

Now that it appears Brad Visser has a roommate and is enrolled at Calvin, I'm wondering if KVS would consider handing off the car keys to a freshmen?  Brad's attending CMU to sit the bench as a non-scholarship player for a lousy D3 program never made a bit of sense to me. Now that it appears he is over that infatuation, he has a real chance to make an impact because Visser clearly has the talent to be a starter and significant contributor at the D3 level. I'm glad he chose Calvin.

For those who don't know Visser, I would say he is most like Bryan Powell, with a couple of qualifications. Both players were talented, athletic, high scoring guards for a high school team that expected them to shoot and score a lot—and both did that. But it's a new game when you move to college and play with and against a better caliber of player, and on a team with different needs. Quite honestly, it took Powell nearly three years to become comfortable with the college game and for his teammates (and fans) to become comfortable with him. Before that happened we saw flashes of brilliance mixed with unexplainable decision making—sometimes on the same possession.

I'm also not sure that Visser is ultimately destined to be the long term answer at point. I believe he can play it if asked, but ideally he is a 2 guard, and I think would be a very good one—potentially a first team All-conference player. But Brad isn't likely to play much at the 2 guard as long as Jordan Brink is on campus. At 6'3", Visser is significantly taller than Powell. I also think Brad has the potential to be an excellent defender, but he will have to dedicate himself to the task more than he did in high school.  He has very long arms and seemed to be pretty good at using that length to interrupt passing lanes. If Visser gambles on defense and gets burned (as he likely will), he will be the object of more than one KVS foot stomp. 

I do think Visser's jump shot is fundamentally much sounder than Powell's, who had a quirky hitch and a flying right elbow that led to occasional wildness. Visser's shooting form is textbook and he should be a consistent shooter. But if he is to play the point, he will need to curb the desire to fire up the first open look he gets and become a distributor of the ball to the many teammates he has who know what to do with it. People I know who saw Brad play more high school games than I did tell me he made progress in that area his senior year of high school.

[realist]

Mitch V. played 257 minutes in 28 games last season (#10 in terms of p.t.).  When you look at his entire stat line for the season his .377 shooting jumps out at you.  I am having a hard time figuring out why people are so sure he was in a good position to get more p.t.   In the last game of the season at St. Thomas he had a chance to show what he could do in a pressure situation, and based on the fact he never saw the floor in the second half it probably means he couldn't deliver. 

I find myself in the strange postion of defending KVS for being honest with his players, and telling them what their chances for p.t. next year may be.  I have faulted KVS in the past for sticking with "marginal" players so if he avoids that situation with some players now he deserves credit.  It would not do Ryan, Mitch the Calvin team or KVS any good to "string these guys along" with false hopes or promises that they would get more p.t. simply based on seniority.  One has to strongly suspect that KVS  feels that with the combination of returning players, and incoming guys he has the kids he needs to make his 9-10 player rotation.

[HopeConvert]

In a different vein, I think this is a good and heartening story. I wonder if the basketball teams should try it.

http://athletics.hope.edu/sports/wvball/2013-14/releases/20130826cniokh

[almcguirejr]

For those who don't know Visser, I would say he is most like Bryan Powell, with a couple of qualifications. Both players were talented, athletic, high scoring guards for a high school team that expected them to shoot and score a lot—and both did that. But it's a new game when you move to college and play with and against a better caliber of player, and on a team with different needs. Quite honestly, it took Powell nearly three years to become comfortable with the college game and for his teammates (and fans) to become comfortable with him. Before that happened we saw flashes of brilliance mixed with unexplainable decision making—sometimes on the same possession.

I do think Visser's jump shot is fundamentally much sounder than Powell's, who had a quirky hitch and a flying right elbow that led to occasional wildness. Visser's shooting form is textbook and he should be a consistent shooter. But if he is to play the point, he will need to curb the desire to fire up the first open look he gets and become a distributor of the ball to the many teammates he has who know what to do with it. People I know who saw Brad play more high school games than I did tell me he made progress in that area his senior year of high school.

I would compare Brad Visser to Derek Van Solkema.  Both could score in HS, neither was too interested in playing defense in HS, and both displayed a confidence that crossed the line into cockiness at times.

[arena]

Any surprise shows or no shows the first week of school?

[sac]

John Carroll released its schedule which reveals they'll be playing Adrian and Alma at Allegheny.

Which means Adrian/Alma also get a game each with Allegheny.

[GoKnights68]

Very random but I am watching ESPN's College Gameday right now for Michigan-ND game, and I just saw a sign that says "Calvin sucks" on it.     

[Mr. Ypsi]

Very random but I am watching ESPN's College Gameday right now for Michigan-ND game, and I just saw a sign that says "Calvin sucks" on it.   

Well, sac regularly attends Michigan games.

[sac]

Very random but I am watching ESPN's College Gameday right now for Michigan-ND game, and I just saw a sign that says "Calvin sucks" on it.   

Well, sac regularly attends Michigan games.

[sac]

That is not me btw.

[goodknight]

Per his Twitter feed, B.J. Van Loo has enrolled at Calvin.
Van Loo prepped at Hudsonville High School, and played last year at Grace Bible College.
At 6-7 and 215, with three years of eligibility, B.J. adds more frontline depth for the Knights.

[oldknight]

Per his Twitter feed, B.J. Van Loo has enrolled at Calvin.
Van Loo prepped at Hudsonville High School, and played last year at Grace Bible College.
At 6-7 and 215, with three years of eligibility, B.J. adds more frontline depth for the Knights.

A rangy 6'6"-6'7" combo forward who can step out and hit the midrange (and longer) jumper. When a high school senior he was the object of Calvin recruiting who lost out to Grace Bible. BJ played some significant minutes last season though I don't think he started. I saw him play a few times in high school and while he can hit the jumper, I thought he fell in love with it too much when he should have been posting up his defender. Still, this is a very good pickup for the Knights who now have a stable full of athletic big guys. I believe this is the first Eric Elliot coached player Calvin has sneaked away from Hope College. May many more follow.

[devossed]

I believe this is the first Eric Elliot coached player Calvin has sneaked away from Hope College. May many more follow.

Oh they WILL, based on how current MIAA regimes are viewed in the Salad Bowl City..."according to sources"