MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[SBell]

Trine

I came away impressed by a couple of the Freshmen, Herrington and Johnson with the Sophomore Dishop playing some nice minutes.  I did note I think Trine might have the potential for a touch more depth this year, but if Miller cuts his bench way down like he has in the past he has a couple tough decisions to make.  The big "revelation", for lack of better word, to me was just how young the Thunder will be this year.    After Dixon and Cummings its all So and Fr., good ones but still really young.

Same tough man to man system, but there will be growing pains with so many young guys.  Offensively maybe some more motion and crisp ball movement this year with fewer pauses like when Holmquist would catch and hold.  Less total reliance on Dixon for offense than first thought, but still he's going to shoot it a lot and he probably should.


Hard to slot any of the teams I've seen thus far with any degree of confidence.  Might be a fun year again.
[/quote]

And Trine's best freshman is on JV, scoring 25 a game without much effort.

[TUAngola]

And Trine's best freshman is on JV, scoring 25 a game without much effort.

SBell...who is the Trine JV guy that is lighting it up?  The JV schedule on the Trine athletics website shows they've only played 1 game so far this season, have they played other games that aren't on the schedule?  I don't even see a JV roster, how many guys are on the JV team?  I am assuming Pelak and Somers are on it...

Wasn't at the Trine tournament today, just got back home.  Read the recap and box score of the OWU game.  Good to see the fight in them, could have packed it in when they got down 20, got it to 5 with 2 minutes to go.  A 7 point loss to a terrific OWU team is encouraging.

[Gregory Sager]

Finlandia beat Alma in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011.   Mostly its been double-digit losses to MIAA teams (also mostly Calvin) but not necessarily the white washes people think they've been.  One year they played Calvin within 6 or 8.



Edit  Actually Finlandia beat Alma 4 out of 5 years.

Those were clearly the years in which nobody outside of Gratiot County paid any attention to the Scots.

[SBell]

And Trine's best freshman is on JV, scoring 25 a game without much effort.

SBell...who is the Trine JV guy that is lighting it up?  The JV schedule on the Trine athletics website shows they've only played 1 game so far this season, have they played other games that aren't on the schedule?  I don't even see a JV roster, how many guys are on the JV team?  I am assuming Pelak and Somers are on it...

Wasn't at the Trine tournament today, just got back home.  Read the recap and box score of the OWU game.  Good to see the fight in them, could have packed it in when they got down 20, got it to 5 with 2 minutes to go.  A 7 point loss to a terrific OWU team is encouraging.

Shae Somers, scored 27 at Kellogg CC.   

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Another fine game by the Flying Dutchmen yesterday in Wisconsin. A very physical game which caused Hope some foul trouble in the first half.  Hope started the game with the same frenetic energy they had in the previous game - great motion on offense and a very disruptive defense lead to a nice early lead. The foul trouble then started to hit as Stuive, Blackledge, Carlson, and Ray all had 2 fouls that limited their playing time somewhat (although Carlson played 37 minutes). Hope got some excellent minutes from McGivney, Towns, and Littleson, but UWRF fought back and hit a 30ft shot at the halftime buzzer to tie the game at 43.

The second half was all about Hope adjusting to the officiating - not sure the foul total in the 2ndhalf, but it was less than 7 with a couple minutes to go. That meant Hope got to play who they wanted when they wanted, and that makes them a very good team. Blackledge who had 8 in the first half went off for 26 second half points including a couple of 3s, but it was the entire team effort on both ends of the floor that lead to a well earned 90-81 win. Two wins via the WIAC down and two more (UWSP and UWLAX both at home) to come. Great opening weekend to the season!

[GreatScot!?]

Finlandia beat Alma in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011.   Mostly its been double-digit losses to MIAA teams (also mostly Calvin) but not necessarily the white washes people think they've been.  One year they played Calvin within 6 or 8.



Edit  Actually Finlandia beat Alma 4 out of 5 years.

Those were clearly the years in which nobody outside of Gratiot County paid any attention to the Scots.

Really hoping this is a wake up call for the Scots

[realist]

This Calvin team is bad. Talent gap with Augustana was enormous. I'm not looking forward to the MIAA season.

Whether you know it or not, that's hyperbole. Augustana has more weapons than Calvin, no doubt about that, but Augustana has more weapons than almost everyone else in D3 too. TitanQ is a pretty close observer of all things CCIW and he flatly stated earlier this week that the current Vikings squad has more talent than last season's. Mighty high praise when you realize Augie was as good as anyone last year--and the year before that too. The team I saw beat Calvin today looked better than anyone who showed up at VNA last year.

I have to agree, which is why I think Calvin showed quite a bit just by fighting so evenly for most of a half.  Not only that, but they lost the rebounding battle by one one rebound.  Their biggest problem was multiple turnovers in the second half and outside shooting is a definite problem for them unless they are able to get some of the younger players more shots.  Whatever games they win in the league contests are more likely to come from close shots than from outside shooting.  Drews is very accurate if he has time and Wilks has good range and touch, but their inside game is better right now.  They do have weaknesses, but there are a lot of teams struggling right now with all of the turnover of players.

This turnover of players is not a new thing.  It happens every year to some degree.  When will Calvin stop struggling, and come into a season ready to play?  Augustana and Hope both had significant turnover, but neither of them appear to be struggling. 
There is more to the equation than just the players. 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Another fine game by the Flying Dutchmen yesterday in Wisconsin. A very physical game which caused Hope some foul trouble in the first half.  Hope started the game with the same frenetic energy they had in the previous game - great motion on offense and a very disruptive defense lead to a nice early lead. The foul trouble then started to hit as Stuive, Blackledge, Carlson, and Ray all had 2 fouls that limited their playing time somewhat (although Carlson played 37 minutes). Hope got some excellent minutes from McGivney, Towns, and Littleson, but UWRF fought back and hit a 30ft shot at the halftime buzzer to tie the game at 43.

The second half was all about Hope adjusting to the officiating - not sure the foul total in the 2ndhalf, but it was less than 7 with a couple minutes to go. That meant Hope got to play who they wanted when they wanted, and that makes them a very good team. Blackledge who had 8 in the first half went off for 26 second half points including a couple of 3s, but it was the entire team effort on both ends of the floor that lead to a well earned 90-81 win. Two wins via the WIAC down and two more (UWSP and UWLAX both at home) to come. Great opening weekend to the season!

Just realized that Harrison's 34 points came in just 20 minutes!!

[sflzman]

Finlandia beat Alma in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011.   Mostly its been double-digit losses to MIAA teams (also mostly Calvin) but not necessarily the white washes people think they've been.  One year they played Calvin within 6 or 8.



Edit  Actually Finlandia beat Alma 4 out of 5 years.

Those were clearly the years in which nobody outside of Gratiot County paid any attention to the Scots.

Might even argue that nobody inside of gratiot county cared either 



I'm going to say there's absolutely zero reason to panic after this weekend's losses.

Basketball is a long season with plenty of time to work out the kinks.

Scots played fairly well against Augustana on Friday night. I thought that the offense looked bogged down  at times. Gernaat may have been (indirectly) asked to do a little too much. He has just one assist through three games. I think that's a little bit of an issue and something that will surely change.

Fairchild struggled early but seemed to regain some confidence after he hit a few shots late Friday. Scored 16 on Saturday which is definitely a good sign.

Defensively I think that the zone seems to be lacking a little bit of discipline. I noticed that the 3 and the 4 seemed to be out of position and a little slow when the Scots went to the bench. Ball security was also an issue when the starting five was out of the game. That's another thing that hopefully can be worked through as the season goes.

I think Ryan Stevens is the real deal. The kid is long and in control. Looks poised getting to the basket. Also has a big frame for a point guard. Needs to lose the baggy t shirt under the jersey, but other than that I think he has a promising future.

Final reason not to panic: Ty Edwards has taken huge steps in his development from a year ago to now. But he's not Doug Bradfield or Kevin Gamble. Neither is Brooks Hyble who is also very improved. Once Gamble comes pack it'll provide some much needed help down low. Ty Edwards is a good 4, but the lack of a true starting 5 is an issue. Once Gamble can slot back into the 5 and Hyble can be a bench guy (which is probably more accurate as far as where he belongs right now with his development) I think it makes a huge difference.

Very different looking team from a year ago, but even in a perfect world with Beckman Bradfield and Gamble I think that a little bit of struggling early in the season was inevitable.

I still believe Alma is right up there with Hope this year as long as they can clean up a few of those little things and all of the comfort-type things start to fall into place again.

[sac]

And Trine's best freshman is on JV, scoring 25 a game without much effort.

Like you I thought Somers had a legit shot at Trine's varsity, but he would find minutes difficult to get with Trine's current guards.  Possible he gets the call up at some point but on JV he'll get many more minutes than he would have on varsity.

[oldknight]

This Calvin team is bad. Talent gap with Augustana was enormous. I'm not looking forward to the MIAA season.

Whether you know it or not, that's hyperbole. Augustana has more weapons than Calvin, no doubt about that, but Augustana has more weapons than almost everyone else in D3 too. TitanQ is a pretty close observer of all things CCIW and he flatly stated earlier this week that the current Vikings squad has more talent than last season's. Mighty high praise when you realize Augie was as good as anyone last year--and the year before that too. The team I saw beat Calvin today looked better than anyone who showed up at VNA last year.

I have to agree, which is why I think Calvin showed quite a bit just by fighting so evenly for most of a half.  Not only that, but they lost the rebounding battle by one one rebound.  Their biggest problem was multiple turnovers in the second half and outside shooting is a definite problem for them unless they are able to get some of the younger players more shots.  Whatever games they win in the league contests are more likely to come from close shots than from outside shooting.  Drews is very accurate if he has time and Wilks has good range and touch, but their inside game is better right now.  They do have weaknesses, but there are a lot of teams struggling right now with all of the turnover of players.

This turnover of players is not a new thing.  It happens every year to some degree.  When will Calvin stop struggling, and come into a season ready to play? Augustana and Hope both had significant turnover, but neither of them appear to be struggling. 
There is more to the equation than just the players. 

That's a perfectly fair question as last season Calvin won just 10 games, The three seasons prior, the Knights won a combined total of 72 games and went 12-2, 12-2, and 13-1 in the MIAA. I don't believe Calvin has yet adjusted to the loss of Jordan Brink. When they do, I think we'll see a winning team.

[arena]

This Calvin team is bad. Talent gap with Augustana was enormous. I'm not looking forward to the MIAA season.

Whether you know it or not, that's hyperbole. Augustana has more weapons than Calvin, no doubt about that, but Augustana has more weapons than almost everyone else in D3 too. TitanQ is a pretty close observer of all things CCIW and he flatly stated earlier this week that the current Vikings squad has more talent than last season's. Mighty high praise when you realize Augie was as good as anyone last year--and the year before that too. The team I saw beat Calvin today looked better than anyone who showed up at VNA last year.

I have to agree, which is why I think Calvin showed quite a bit just by fighting so evenly for most of a half.  Not only that, but they lost the rebounding battle by one one rebound.  Their biggest problem was multiple turnovers in the second half and outside shooting is a definite problem for them unless they are able to get some of the younger players more shots.  Whatever games they win in the league contests are more likely to come from close shots than from outside shooting.  Drews is very accurate if he has time and Wilks has good range and touch, but their inside game is better right now.  They do have weaknesses, but there are a lot of teams struggling right now with all of the turnover of players.

This turnover of players is not a new thing.  It happens every year to some degree.  When will Calvin stop struggling, and come into a season ready to play? Augustana and Hope both had significant turnover, but neither of them appear to be struggling. 
There is more to the equation than just the players. 

That's a perfectly fair question as last season Calvin won just 10 games, The three seasons prior, the Knights won a combined total of 72 games and went 12-2, 12-2, and 13-1 in the MIAA. I don't believe Calvin has yet adjusted to the loss of Jordan Brink. When they do, I think we'll see a winning team.

makes me wonder just how bad those teams would have been without Brink. One great player overcomes a bigger problem. Maybe Calvin's problem is deeper than adjusting to the loss of one player.  Change at the top of this program is needed.

[HOPEful]

That's a perfectly fair question as last season Calvin won just 10 games, The three seasons prior, the Knights won a combined total of 72 games and went 12-2, 12-2, and 13-1 in the MIAA. I don't believe Calvin has yet adjusted to the loss of Jordan Brink. When they do, I think we'll see a winning team.

To be fair, Kruis, DeVries, Daley, and Dykstra weren't slouches. Brink was a superstar whose late game heroics aren't missed one tiny bit in Holland. I think Calvin's bread and butter has always been that they'd punch you in the mouth down low over and over and over and over again... And every time you'd cheat a little and try to double in the post, they'd find a more than capable guard to drain an open three.

Wilks and Bykerk pulled down a combined 2 rebounds against Augustana. Canonie and Kronemeyer combined for 2 assists and 7 points. Not the blueprint for success that has won kvs 360ish games and more than just the loss of a guard a year and a half ago.

[oldknight]

That's a perfectly fair question as last season Calvin won just 10 games, The three seasons prior, the Knights won a combined total of 72 games and went 12-2, 12-2, and 13-1 in the MIAA. I don't believe Calvin has yet adjusted to the loss of Jordan Brink. When they do, I think we'll see a winning team.

To be fair, Kruis, DeVries, Daley, and Dykstra weren't slouches. Brink was a superstar whose late game heroics aren't missed one tiny bit in Holland. I think Calvin's bread and butter has always been that they'd punch you in the mouth down low over and over and over and over again... And every time you'd cheat a little and try to double in the post, they'd find a more than capable guard to drain an open three.

Wilks and Bykerk pulled down a combined 2 rebounds against Augustana. Canonie and Kronemeyer combined for 2 assists and 7 points. Not the blueprint for success that has won kvs 360ish games and more than just the loss of a guard a year and a half ago.

Rebounding wasn't the problem against Augustana. While the Vikings won the battle of the boards 25-23 for the game, at the halftime break Calvin actually had three more rebounds than did the visiting team. The second 20 minutes, Augustana missed only seven floor shots and no free throws. That's why Calvin snared only five additional misses after the break. It's tough to rebound when pretty much all the balls are clearing the net.

You're correct to pinpoint the lack of backcourt scoring as an issue. That's why I mentioned the departure of Jordan Brink and Calvin's inability to find capable and consistent scoring from that wing spot. Other than Drews (who is strictly a spot-up shooter and only played 6 minutes Saturday), the Knights have no one who has been much of threat, particularly from the arc. I think Trewhella is likely to eventually become a consistent perimeter scorer (as I'm fond of pointing out, he did play his high school ball in Indiana), but Matt hasn't done it yet. Long term, I do think Tony DeWitte is likely to be one answer to that missing component. The kid from Calvin Christian has a silky smooth stroke and moves about the floor very well. But I think Tony is a year away yet unless KVS decides to throw caution to the wind and give the young man major minutes in an attempt to upgrade the offense.

But two games is a pretty small sample size. We'll know more about this team after this weekend's games at DeVos. 

[realist]

This Calvin team is bad. Talent gap with Augustana was enormous. I'm not looking forward to the MIAA season.

Whether you know it or not, that's hyperbole. Augustana has more weapons than Calvin, no doubt about that, but Augustana has more weapons than almost everyone else in D3 too. TitanQ is a pretty close observer of all things CCIW and he flatly stated earlier this week that the current Vikings squad has more talent than last season's. Mighty high praise when you realize Augie was as good as anyone last year--and the year before that too. The team I saw beat Calvin today looked better than anyone who showed up at VNA last year.

I have to agree, which is why I think Calvin showed quite a bit just by fighting so evenly for most of a half.  Not only that, but they lost the rebounding battle by one one rebound.  Their biggest problem was multiple turnovers in the second half and outside shooting is a definite problem for them unless they are able to get some of the younger players more shots.  Whatever games they win in the league contests are more likely to come from close shots than from outside shooting.  Drews is very accurate if he has time and Wilks has good range and touch, but their inside game is better right now.  They do have weaknesses, but there are a lot of teams struggling right now with all of the turnover of players.

This turnover of players is not a new thing.  It happens every year to some degree.  When will Calvin stop struggling, and come into a season ready to play? Augustana and Hope both had significant turnover, but neither of them appear to be struggling. 
There is more to the equation than just the players. 

That's a perfectly fair question as last season Calvin won just 10 games, The three seasons prior, the Knights won a combined total of 72 games and went 12-2, 12-2, and 13-1 in the MIAA. I don't believe Calvin has yet adjusted to the loss of Jordan Brink. When they do, I think we'll see a winning team.

Calvin went 16-12 with Jordan as a freshman, and 13-13 for the season he was out injured.  Yes, I agree Calvin was overly reliant on him while he was there.  However, his last season was no surprise, and 50% of the players on this years team weren't even on campus then.  You use the word adjust.  I just don't see that happening.