MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[augie77]

The ticket office was getting slammed this morning. I don't know if it will sell out, but it will be pretty full.

Coming for the early game on Friday, is there a serious risk of facing a sellout, with no tickets available?

[HopeConvert]

The ticket office was getting slammed this morning. I don't know if it will sell out, but it will be pretty full.

Coming for the early game on Friday, is there a serious risk of facing a sellout, with no tickets available?

I would assume Augie has a portion they are selling. I would also assume there will still be tickets available at Hope. I wouldn't worry about being shut-out, especially in the wake of earlier conversations on this board.

[ziggy]

Everyone who did a mock Pool C selection had Hope in before Augustana.  Ergo, Hope is the higher seeded team of the two, ergo the higher seeded team remaining in the pod that can host based on travel and location.

Pool C criteria, this isn't even close
12) Hope (0.800, 0.525, 2-1, GL)
19) Augustana (.704, 0.543, 2-3, CE)

Any other crying here about Hope hosting is bitter rival jealousy.

Great improvements have been made to the tournament over the last five or so years with balance brackets that more appropriately reward higher seeds. I feel like not considering the impact on Hanover in this situation is not consistent with those improvements. It's not really about Hope vs. Augustana. It's about making a decision in deference to Hanover. That's what happens when deserving opening weekend hosts are unable to host for one reason or another.

Take Hope out of the equation and swap Calvin in for Hanover and I'd be ticked to have to play a road game against a team that finished lower in the regional rankings. It's not about bitter rivalry jealousy.

Maybe the result is just the way it is, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is the way it should be. I guess it is my fault for attempting to challenge that.

[Roundball999]

The ticket office was getting slammed this morning. I don't know if it will sell out, but it will be pretty full.

Coming for the early game on Friday, is there a serious risk of facing a sellout, with no tickets available?

If you want peace of mind, call the Hope ticket office for advance purchase and pick up at will-call.

"Tickets. They cost $10 for adults and $5 for youth 18 and under. They can be purchased in advance at the Hope College ticket office, 100 East Eighth Street during normal business hours or by calling (616) 395-7890. All seating is general admission in designated sections. There are no online sales. Tickets for Saturday's game will be sold to advancing teams after Friday's games."

[augie77]

Done.  Thanks!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

If I remember correctly, Hope fans don't like Augustana hosting in the past. (snarky comment on my part)

Someone said when Hanover was eliminated the three remaining hosts... remember, Wartburg was eliminated as well in this conversation. So it was only Augustana or Hope.

And as mentioned, since many of us put Hope in ahead of Augustana... their criteria means they were the higher 4-seed. And I know it was mentioned, but the first two games in the tournament are not used to to weigh that decision especially in the SOS. That was talked about in the past, but considering the committee has influence on those numbers changing thanks to making the bracket, it is based on the end-of-season numbers... not new numbers after the first weekend.

Hope had this over Augustana from most perspectives. Sure, it is tough on Hanover to now play at Hope... but I am pretty sure they are just focusing on the game. Hope isn't exactly unbeatable at home as history has shown including in the NCAA tournament.

Not sure if Hanover put in to host or not as it is irrelevant to the current situation. If Hanover was in line to host because Wartburg wasn't in the Sweet 16, then their not putting in to host would make sense. I can certainly ask if people are that curious.

Though what people don't even consider is this: Wartburg is keeping Hanover from hosting. But if UWRF had made it out, Hanover would STILL not be hosting and either would UWRF. This would STILL come down to Hope or Augustana and this game would STILL be going to Hope! You can make an argument that maybe the committee should have shifted a pod to make Hanover's top-seeded situation not be at Hope... but this is Division III geography at play not "fairness of seeding" which takes a major back seat to the entire thing. I don't see a scenario where Hanover was going to host this weekend unless Benedictine had gotten out of the UWRF bracket. That is about the only scenario it would have happened. People are up in arms but they seem to forget this bracket wasn't pointing towards Hanover in the second weekend anyway. It would have taken a lot more upsets for that to happen.

[ziggy]

If I remember correctly, Hope fans don't like Augustana hosting in the past. (snarky comment on my part)

Someone said when Hanover was eliminated the three remaining hosts... remember, Wartburg was eliminated as well in this conversation. So it was only Augustana or Hope.

And as mentioned, since many of us put Hope in ahead of Augustana... their criteria means they were the higher 4-seed. And I know it was mentioned, but the first two games in the tournament are not used to to weigh that decision especially in the SOS. That was talked about in the past, but considering the committee has influence on those numbers changing thanks to making the bracket, it is based on the end-of-season numbers... not new numbers after the first weekend.

Hope had this over Augustana from most perspectives. Sure, it is tough on Hanover to now play at Hope... but I am pretty sure they are just focusing on the game. Hope isn't exactly unbeatable at home as history has shown including in the NCAA tournament.

Not sure if Hanover put in to host or not as it is irrelevant to the current situation. If Hanover was in line to host because Wartburg wasn't in the Sweet 16, then their not putting in to host would make sense. I can certainly ask if people are that curious.

Though what people don't even consider is this: Wartburg is keeping Hanover from hosting. But if UWRF had made it out, Hanover would STILL not be hosting and either would UWRF. This would STILL come down to Hope or Augustana and this game would STILL be going to Hope! You can make an argument that maybe the committee should have shifted a pod to make Hanover's top-seeded situation not be at Hope... but this is Division III geography at play not "fairness of seeding" which takes a major back seat to the entire thing. I don't see a scenario where Hanover was going to host this weekend unless Benedictine had gotten out of the UWRF bracket. That is about the only scenario it would have happened. People are up in arms but they seem to forget this bracket wasn't pointing towards Hanover in the second weekend anyway. It would have taken a lot more upsets for that to happen.

Hope messed everything up by beating Wash U. See, it's all their fault!!!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I guess.. if you mean Hanover would have played WashU at WashU... on a higher-seed's court.

[ziggy]

I guess.. if you mean Hanover would have played WashU at WashU... on a higher-seed's court.

Wash U would have been ranked ahead of Hanover, no?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I guess.. if you mean Hanover would have played WashU at WashU... on a higher-seed's court.

Wash U would have been ranked ahead of Hanover, no?

That is my point. That they would have played on a higher-seed's court in that case.

[drosselmeyer]

Glad we haven't heard the chant "Where's your banner" in a while... It is that very chant that makes me smile when Calvin bows out in the first round...

That's the spirit!  Way to go Dutch_Man.  A Christian smile, I presume.

Ok, been a long-time reader of this board.  It always amazes me that WIZ always has a smarta** comment about Hope, whenever anything positive happens to Hope.  This week he has posted 3-4 fine jabs, including taking potshots at Matt Neil (a personal friend of mine) and now along with Dutch_Man have waded into the Church and Christianity portion of the rivalry.
I never thought I would take this experience public, but here is goes:
My two sons and I attended Van Noord Arena on the Campus of Calvin College (Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome Mr.......another story) for the first time on 2/18/15 to attend the MIAA Tournament Championship game between Hope College and Calvin College.  Yes, the very night that Jordan Brink put on one of the best all-time individual performances.
We arrived early for the game, not knowing the seating arrangements or the layout of the arena.
I quickly found an usher/stadium worker and inquired were the Hope College section or seating area was.  I was informed by him, "This is the MIAA Championship game, there are no assigned seats, feel free to sit where you would like and enjoy the game."
My boys and I proceeded to the upper seating portion, on the sideline opposite the benches.  We sat approx. 8 rows up to avoid the glass ring and sat at near-mid court.  Very nice seats.  Yes, we were wearing orange and blue and Hope attire.
As it approached game-time, it was becoming apparent from the color of people's clothing (maroon and gold) and the under the breath comments directed our way, we had "invaded" the turf of the wiser Calvin fans (by that I mean old and gray-haired and soon to find out mean-spirited).
I asked the boys, would you like to move to a different section and both said no we like the view from here.  Big parenting mistake on my part.
I told the boys, root for Hope, clap for Hope, but realize we are actually in the "Calvin" section tonight so be respectful.

If you were at the game, you will remember for the first 30-35 minutes of actual game time, Hope performed very well and had built what appeared to be an insurmountable lead.
During this (one hour and half of actual clock time), I have never been treated so disrespectfully and unwelcome.  Insults were hurled our way like....go to your own side losers, get out of our section, you don't belong here, go back to Holland where you belong (I won't include some of the 4 letter words, yes, Christian Reformed people said 4 letter words to us).
Finally, feeling like Hope was going to win (I was wrong on that one and congrats Jordan Brink), I felt it best to move out of the area with about 5:00 minutes to go in the game, so not to be there and have to deal with the "group" if Hope actually did win.
I said to my boys, at the next timeout, I am going to stand up and say something to the people around us and then we are going to walk out.
At the next timeout, I stood up and said loud enough for 7-10 rows of people, wearing Maroon and Gold, to hear me and said, "I hope tomorrow morning when you walk into your places of worship, that you treat your guests with the same vigor, language and welcomeness that you treated me and my boys with tonight.  Your pastor's would be proud!"  We got up and walked out.

WIZ, I don't know if you were within those 7-10 rows, I don't really care.  However, your carry the banner still today for those people from 2.18.2015, you should be proud of yourself.

[GreatScot!?]

Is there another forum I can join that just talks about MIAA hoops!? Getting sick of reading about all this other irrelevant stuff...

[drosselmeyer]

The ticket office was getting slammed this morning. I don't know if it will sell out, but it will be pretty full.

Coming for the early game on Friday, is there a serious risk of facing a sellout, with no tickets available?

If you want peace of mind, call the Hope ticket office for advance purchase and pick up at will-call.

"Tickets. They cost $10 for adults and $5 for youth 18 and under. They can be purchased in advance at the Hope College ticket office, 100 East Eighth Street during normal business hours or by calling (616) 395-7890. All seating is general admission in designated sections. There are no online sales. Tickets for Saturday's game will be sold to advancing teams after Friday's games."

BTW, outstanding job by Mike Howes and his team at Hope College Ticket/Event office for the last 3 weeks of tournament action.

I'm sure they have put in a lot of hours and really have had a smooth process and great communication each week.

[HOPEful]

. And I know it was mentioned, but the first two games in the tournament are not used to to weigh that decision especially in the SOS. That was talked about in the past, but considering the committee has influence on those numbers changing thanks to making the bracket, it is based on the end-of-season numbers... not new numbers after the first weekend.

Dave, I only mentioned this as a fun exercise for curiosity sake, not implying the committee could or would do this. But as you pointed out very well, any argument against Hope hosting disregards the current system and parameters and creates an ambiguous new set of parameters based on what subjectively works best for the highest remaining seed.

And it seems the primary motivations that have been posted seem to be more anti-Hope hosting as calvin fans and less pro Hanover.

[oldknight]

Glad we haven't heard the chant "Where's your banner" in a while... It is that very chant that makes me smile when Calvin bows out in the first round...

That's the spirit!  Way to go Dutch_Man.  A Christian smile, I presume.

Ok, been a long-time reader of this board.  It always amazes me that WIZ always has a smarta** comment about Hope, whenever anything positive happens to Hope.  This week he has posted 3-4 fine jabs, including taking potshots at Matt Neil (a personal friend of mine) and now along with Dutch_Man have waded into the Church and Christianity portion of the rivalry.
I never thought I would take this experience public, but here is goes:
My two sons and I attended Van Noord Arena on the Campus of Calvin College (Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome Mr.......another story) for the first time on 2/18/15 to attend the MIAA Tournament Championship game between Hope College and Calvin College.  Yes, the very night that Jordan Brink put on one of the best all-time individual performances.
We arrived early for the game, not knowing the seating arrangements or the layout of the arena.
I quickly found an usher/stadium worker and inquired were the Hope College section or seating area was.  I was informed by him, "This is the MIAA Championship game, there are no assigned seats, feel free to sit where you would like and enjoy the game."
My boys and I proceeded to the upper seating portion, on the sideline opposite the benches.  We sat approx. 8 rows up to avoid the glass ring and sat at near-mid court.  Very nice seats.  Yes, we were wearing orange and blue and Hope attire.
As it approached game-time, it was becoming apparent from the color of people's clothing (maroon and gold) and the under the breath comments directed our way, we had "invaded" the turf of the wiser Calvin fans (by that I mean old and gray-haired and soon to find out mean-spirited).
I asked the boys, would you like to move to a different section and both said no we like the view from here.  Big parenting mistake on my part.
I told the boys, root for Hope, clap for Hope, but realize we are actually in the "Calvin" section tonight so be respectful.

If you were at the game, you will remember for the first 30-35 minutes of actual game time, Hope performed very well and had built what appeared to be an insurmountable lead.
During this (one hour and half of actual clock time), I have never been treated so disrespectfully and unwelcome.  Insults were hurled our way like....go to your own side losers, get out of our section, you don't belong here, go back to Holland where you belong (I won't include some of the 4 letter words, yes, Christian Reformed people said 4 letter words to us).
Finally, feeling like Hope was going to win (I was wrong on that one and congrats Jordan Brink), I felt it best to move out of the area with about 5:00 minutes to go in the game, so not to be there and have to deal with the "group" if Hope actually did win.
I said to my boys, at the next timeout, I am going to stand up and say something to the people around us and then we are going to walk out.
At the next timeout, I stood up and said loud enough for 7-10 rows of people, wearing Maroon and Gold, to hear me and said, "I hope tomorrow morning when you walk into your places of worship, that you treat your guests with the same vigor, language and welcomeness that you treated me and my boys with tonight.  Your pastor's would be proud!"  We got up and walked out.

WIZ, I don't know if you were within those 7-10 rows, I don't really care.  However, your carry the banner still today for those people from 2.18.2015, you should be proud of yourself.

I'll try to offer some what I Hope is fair commentary regarding your unhappiness. Maybe I'll fail but here goes:

Wiz is a smart-aleck bomb thrower, no doubt about that. He even features it with his own tag-line I am a Cyber-bullied "Chucklehead" along with his tongue-in-cheek claim at being 100% organic and LEED certified. I think most posters either chuckle along with the self-proclaimed "Chucklehead" or they manage to ignore him. I can't tell you to not let him get under your skin, but it's probably best if you don't let him (and the world) know that it's time for wiz to raise a "Mission Accomplished" banner. And the potshot you say wiz took at Matt Neil wasn't taken at Matt Neil; it was directed at one or more board posters, so don't take the bait.

I'm not pleased to hear you were disrespected by Calvin fans two years ago (maybe it's time to let that tapeworm die), but I know a lot of Calvin fans and none of them are rude and mean-spirited like that. The Calvin "fans" you ran into may be people who show up the one or two times a year Calvin hosts Hope. Also don't assume they are CRC. The number of Calvin folk who are CRC have been declining steadily. I also haven't heard a Calvin fan use a four letter word when a hyphenated eight letter one is available. 

I'm not trying to ignore or minimize your concerns, but sometimes it's just best to let the fish swim on by. Now, let's get back to our regularly scheduled basketball postings.