MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Hope's 12-14 record ends a 40 year streak of consecutive winning seasons.

To my knowledge and no one has been able to show me different, the D3 record is 40 consecutive winnings seasons held by Wittenberg and Hope.  Witt's streak ended in 2009, fwiw they had a "non-losing" season streak of 59 years ended in 2015.   

Next closest I've heard is Washington Univ who is on consecutive winning season 36, so they'll probably break that in 5 years. 



Disappointing season for Hope, no question.  Lots to work on for next year.

Hope reports 40 winning seasons, but that wasn't included in the NCAA record book for this year.  They've messed up a lot in those record books, so its easy to believe its an oversight.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Hope's 12-14 record ends a 40 year streak of consecutive winning seasons.

To my knowledge and no one has been able to show me different, the D3 record is 40 consecutive winnings seasons held by Wittenberg and Hope.  Witt's streak ended in 2009, fwiw they had a "non-losing" season streak of 59 years ended in 2015.   

Next closest I've heard is Washington Univ who is on consecutive winning season 36, so they'll probably break that in 5 years. 



Disappointing season for Hope, no question.  Lots to work on for next year.

An extremely difficult season no doubt.  Disappointing results, frustration over roster changes, injuries, and more (not that many other teams don't face the same challenges).  My hope for them is that all of that adds up to a great learning experience - both in basketball and in life - and that it builds a fire in each of them to get to work between now and Oct 15 to make sure they don't have to experience this again.  Life is hard, things sometimes don't go your way (whether it's your fault or not) but it's what you learn from those situations that matters.  This team was very young (from a playing experience perspective for sure) and this season certainly helped them earn some valuable, painful lessons.  On to next year, and as always Go Hope!

[sac]

Hope's 12-14 record ends a 40 year streak of consecutive winning seasons.

To my knowledge and no one has been able to show me different, the D3 record is 40 consecutive winnings seasons held by Wittenberg and Hope.  Witt's streak ended in 2009, fwiw they had a "non-losing" season streak of 59 years ended in 2015.   

Next closest I've heard is Washington Univ who is on consecutive winning season 36, so they'll probably break that in 5 years. 



Disappointing season for Hope, no question.  Lots to work on for next year.

Hope reports 40 winning seasons, but that wasn't included in the NCAA record book for this year.  They've messed up a lot in those record books, so its easy to believe its an oversight.

I'm not sure Hope is even aware.

I just counted.  https://athletics.hope.edu/sports/mbkb/history/year_by_year

Wittenberg makes a claim to 40 as being the record somewhere in their history section, I just remember reading that and knew Hope was close a couple years ago.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Hope's 12-14 record ends a 40 year streak of consecutive winning seasons.

To my knowledge and no one has been able to show me different, the D3 record is 40 consecutive winnings seasons held by Wittenberg and Hope.  Witt's streak ended in 2009, fwiw they had a "non-losing" season streak of 59 years ended in 2015.   

Next closest I've heard is Washington Univ who is on consecutive winning season 36, so they'll probably break that in 5 years. 



Disappointing season for Hope, no question.  Lots to work on for next year.

Hope reports 40 winning seasons, but that wasn't included in the NCAA record book for this year.  They've messed up a lot in those record books, so its easy to believe its an oversight.

I'm not sure Hope is even aware.

I just counted.  https://athletics.hope.edu/sports/mbkb/history/year_by_year

Wittenberg makes a claim to 40 as being the record somewhere in their history section, I just remember reading that and knew Hope was close a couple years ago.

Right.  I counted as well - and we're trusting Hope to have the correct records.  The NCAA must not actually audit the record book that closely, especially for things like that - otherwise they'd have recognized the tie in this year's edition.

[Gregory Sager]

Right.  I counted as well - and we're trusting Hope to have the correct records.  The NCAA must not actually audit the record book that closely

The NCAA record books are not as trustworthy as they ought to be. I know this because North Park's streak of 21 consecutive winning seasons in men's soccer should be on the list of winning-season streaks for D3 in that sport, but it isn't.

[HoopsCoach]

Well, that went about the way I thought it would. Two very good games and one particularly outstanding performance by Harris with the heat check of all heat check and-one triples. Wow!

As far as Hope-Adrian. Hope did limit turnovers. But it came down to the same, predictable couple of plays trip after trip and that made it much too difficult to have an offense efficient enough to win. Coupled with a major defensive lapse that changed all the momentum to start the second half (Adrian went right at Granger and his two fouls with Bellamy who energetically attacked and scored six straight in a minute and change) and the later explosion by Harris - Hope simply couldn't overcome.

This team has a lot of work to do in the offseason. Well, let's say the entire program has a lot to do and it starts at the top. There is talent here. But it isn't getting developed from what I observe. Players need to commit to improvement. No doubt. But that said, the offense is predictable enough that teams don't have to spend much prep time. Not everyone appears held to the same standard on defense and therefore are not on the same page. Halftime adjustments never really looked like a thing at the games I watched or attended. This starts with the top. If that doesn't improve, it won't flow down hill and what might be a blip could start to become a trend. I'm not suggesting wholesale changes but I will say changes need to be made schematically and in approach or in a league that brings back an awful lot of great players, Hope will be an also ran again in 2020-21.

Side note - despite going to six teams last year, the top four made it to the semis both years. Small sample size but so far, bigger isn't better.

[HOPEful]

An extremely difficult season no doubt.  Disappointing results, frustration over roster changes, injuries, and more (not that many other teams don't face the same challenges).  My hope for them is that all of that adds up to a great learning experience - both in basketball and in life - and that it builds a fire in each of them to get to work between now and Oct 15 to make sure they don't have to experience this again.  Life is hard, things sometimes don't go your way (whether it's your fault or not) but it's what you learn from those situations that matters.  This team was very young (from a playing experience perspective for sure) and this season certainly helped them earn some valuable, painful lessons.  On to next year, and as always Go Hope!

The entire roster, minus Zandstra and Opple, returns next season. Typically, this wouldn't mean much when referencing a 12-14 team. However, in that mix are a couple freshman who showed a ton of potential to be dynamic players in the years to come, a junior who made first team all-MIAA, and a few other young players that given an off-season of development could give us reasons to be optimistic for a quick turnaround.

Then again, Albion returns just about everyone next season too, so....

[HOPEful]

Side note - despite going to six teams last year, the top four made it to the semis both years. Small sample size but so far, bigger isn't better.

Agreed. I preferred 4.

I also wouldn't mind an addendum that if the same school wins both men and women, that the #2 seeds host the semifinal games to avoid 4 games on one Friday.

[HoopsCoach]

From the Holland Sentinel - this quote below bothers me. Maybe (maybe)  it lacks full context but to put it all on the players is a mistake. Sure, players execute. But somewhere this is misfiring. First and foremost a coach has to look at him/herself and work outward. What do I need to change as the man in charge? Does what I want to do match the roster I have in place? Should I adjust to the strengths of the roster? Am I using my assistants right? How can we map out a viable plan to make each player better, to understand their exact intended role, and get them to buy in?

Like I noted before the commitment to get better MUST start at the top...

"It is a script we have seen far too often. Good execution in the second half, finishing the half strong. But I hated how we started the second half," Hope coach Greg Mitchell said. "We lost our focus and our commitment to what we plotted out to do. That has happened so many times this year, and they got comfortable, and when teams get comfortable at home, they can get it going."

The Flying Dutchmen finished the season 12-14.

"It puts such a bitter taste in your mouth and you want to atone for it. The only way to do that is to work harder every day to get better. That was intolerable," Mitchell said. "We have an offseason where our guys get to look at themselves in the mirror and make the commitment to get better. We are going to see how much this bothered guys and their commitment to getting better."

[ziggy]

An extremely difficult season no doubt.  Disappointing results, frustration over roster changes, injuries, and more (not that many other teams don't face the same challenges).  My hope for them is that all of that adds up to a great learning experience - both in basketball and in life - and that it builds a fire in each of them to get to work between now and Oct 15 to make sure they don't have to experience this again.  Life is hard, things sometimes don't go your way (whether it's your fault or not) but it's what you learn from those situations that matters.  This team was very young (from a playing experience perspective for sure) and this season certainly helped them earn some valuable, painful lessons.  On to next year, and as always Go Hope!

The entire roster, minus Zandstra and Opple, returns next season. Typically, this wouldn't mean much when referencing a 12-14 team. However, in that mix are a couple freshman who showed a ton of potential to be dynamic players in the years to come, a junior who made first team all-MIAA, and a few other young players that given an off-season of development could give us reasons to be optimistic for a quick turnaround.

Then again, Albion returns just about everyone next season too, so....

I expect Albion to be a unanimous number one in the preseason conference poll again next year and should find themselves in the initial Top 25 poll. Already the league's top team, solid all the way around and basically everyone coming back next year. Hard to see how anyone closes the gap next season.

[KnightSlappy]

Side note - despite going to six teams last year, the top four made it to the semis both years. Small sample size but so far, bigger isn’t better.

Agreed. I preferred 4.

I also wouldn't mind an addendum that if the same school wins both men and women, that the #2 seeds host the semifinal games to avoid 4 games on one Friday.

Both years the 4/5 matchup was decided by a single possession. Having only four teams was far too restrictive in my mind, and I'd prefer to see them revert to all 8 making the field.

[HOPEful]

I expect Albion to be a unanimous number one in the preseason conference poll again next year and should find themselves in the initial Top 25 poll. Already the league's top team, solid all the way around and basically everyone coming back next year. Hard to see how anyone closes the gap next season.

Agreed. Everyone else near the top gets worse. Calvin loses DeVries, Bos, and DeWitte. Adrian loses Kalonji. Trine loses Johnson, Hunter, and Winters. Alma loses Stevens, Woodruff, Harvey, and Sinke.

[HOPEful]

Both years the 4/5 matchup was decided by a single possession. Four was far too restrictive in my mind, and I'd prefer to see them revert to all 8 making the field.

I would agree if it wasn't for the fact that the AQ is attached to the MIAA tournament. I would prefer the "best" team represent the MIAA in the NCAA tournament, not the best team over a 2-3 game stretch.

I wouldn't mind the AQ going to the outright MIAA champion and in cases of a tie, the tie is broken by the MIAA tournament.

[KnightSlappy]

Both years the 4/5 matchup was decided by a single possession. Four was far too restrictive in my mind, and I'd prefer to see them revert to all 8 making the field.

I would agree if it wasn't for the fact that the AQ is attached to the MIAA tournament. I would prefer the "best" team represent the MIAA in the NCAA tournament, not the best team over a 2-3 game stretch.

I wouldn't mind the AQ going to the outright MIAA champion and in cases of a tie, the tie is broken by the MIAA tournament.

I'm not sure that fewer teams really protects the No. 1 seed. Their automatic inclusion into the semifinals gets offset by the easier path for the other top seeds to make it there as well.

Using my efficiency ratings I calculated the chance that each team would win the tournament*:

No. Teams:   8     6     4
Albion       48%   49%   47%
Calvin       28%   33%   33%
Trine        9%    7%    13%
Adrian       5%    4%    7%
Alma         5%    4%    0%
Hope         4%    3%    0%
Kalamazoo    1%    0%    0%
Olivet       0%    0%    0%

*simple calculation using neutral site games, so Albion should be a bit higher and the rest a bit lower.

[TUAngola]

I expect Albion to be a unanimous number one in the preseason conference poll again next year and should find themselves in the initial Top 25 poll. Already the league's top team, solid all the way around and basically everyone coming back next year. Hard to see how anyone closes the gap next season.

Agreed. Everyone else near the top gets worse. Calvin loses DeVries, Bos, and DeWitte. Adrian loses Kalonji. Trine loses Johnson, Hunter, and Winters. Alma loses Stevens, Woodruff, Harvey, and Sinke.

I agree that a look ahead to next season will be Albion as heavy favorite and then possibly Hope with a bounce back year.  Adrian has nice pieces to go with Harris, despite the loss of Kalonji, and could challenge Hope for second.  Trine, Alma and Calvin all are being hit hard by graduation.  Trine lost starters Smith, Copeland and Cummings from the 2018-19 squad and this year will lose starters Johnson, Hunter, Winters and Daniels.  Has there been any MIAA team in recent memory that lost (will lose) that much talent over a 2 year period?

Really good win last night for the Thunder, it was a tight game all the way.  I think we had a couple 8 point leads, Alma led by 5 at one point, but for the most part the game was within 2 possessions for much of the night.  Alma started out "big" with both Poling and Rake in the starting 5 but when Trine's Cox started out hot hitting 3 triples in the first half the Scots rarely played both again at the same time as they weren't comfortable playing perimeter defense on Cox.  Alma's best lineup is when they insert Woodruff and Sinke, they both played outstanding last night.  We played really good defense on Kleiver all night, forced him into a lot of tough shots.  At the end of the game with Trine up 4 points, our coaching staff used the strategy of fouling Alma rather than let them get a 3 attempt.  Wasn't sure about that, but it worked out on 3 straight trips even though Kleiver is money from the line.  Then Alma would foul us in trying to get the ball back and we hit our free throws (except for 1) down the stretch to keep Alma playing catch up.  The Scots did get an open look for 3 at the buzzer but Kleiver's shot rimmed out.

On to Albion on Friday night.  Will the 3rd time be the charm?  We were right there in both regular season matchups with Albion, but Davis has been a thorn in our sides in both games.  It's lose or go home, so I expect our guys, especially the seniors, to leave it all out on the court.

Trine:  Hunter 22, Johnson 18, Daniels 13, Cox 11
Alma:  Kleiver 21 (10-10 at the line), Sinke 16, Woodruff 14, Rake 10