MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Civic Minded]

Sympathy is extended to the Bruce Pearson family as Bruce (Hope College Basketball Superfan) passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2006, from cancer.

There will be a memorial service for Bruce at Fellowship Reformed Church in Holland on Saturday, April 8 at 11:00 a.m.

Thanks Bruce for all of your support to both the men's and women's teams at Hope - you WILL be missed.

You know, I didn't realize how accustomed to "the gang" I'd gotten after all these years of watching Hope basketball.  There are just some regulars who stand out in your mind, without whom things just don't seem quite right.  It's been an odd season without hearing Bruce's reliable "take it away, take it away, take it away" cries, at both home and away games.  It's hard to imagine that we won't hear that again. 

Prayers going out to his wife and family -- we'll miss you Bruce!

[almcguirejr]

Reuben Powell, a point guard from West Ottawa HS, is planning to go to Albion.  His brother gave me this information.  This person also said there may
be a D1 guard transferring to Albion for next season.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I watched Reuben play over the last two years.  He has games where he is extremely impresssive, and other games that he is fairly average.  I will say that his ball handling skills are very good, and he has a true point guard mentality

[hope1]

that is to bad about bruce he used to yell in my ear all the time we will miss him

[WiseKnight]

Pure speculation, but I think it's looking less likely that Mantel is heading to Hope or Calvin.

From the Ann Arbor News 1st Team:

John Mantel, Chelsea, senior

"A 6-8 senior who was dangerous both inside and outside, Mantel averaged 15 points and nine rebounds per game and shot 51 percent from the field. He also recorded eight double-doubles for the Bulldogs, who advanced to the Class B regional championship game. Mantel is being recruited by several Division I and Division II schools."

[albionfan]

WWKVSD? had a meeting with the Veltema's this week and the kid from Ckarlotte was at Calvin's open gym this week. The kids from Covenant are almost a lock for Calvin this year, its a bout time that Calvin got back into the Protestant Reformed community. As for the kid for Ottowa Hills going to Albion that is a huge pick up, considering that Lonny Fulse may never reach his potential. And as for the transfer-----lets not be HOPE. We all learned this year thanks to HOPE that transfers wont win you
CHAMPIONSHIPS. The last time I checked since WWKVSD? was in charge the last ten years they have won 5 conference tilles and 5 MIAA conference tournament CHAMPIONSHIPS. The last time I checked noone else in the area regardless of NCAA or NAIA have done that. i think that KVS has some good morals and KARMA on his side.

IM OUT

[almcguirejr]

And as for the transfer-----lets not be HOPE. We all learned this year thanks to HOPE that transfers wont win you CHAMPIONSHIPS.

A transfer or two does not necessarily upset the balance of a team.  The coach must make it clear to them that their minutes must be earned.  Bringing in five transfers in 1 year, and trying to assimilate them and returning players into one cohesive unit is very difficult.

The last time I checked since WWKVSD? was in charge the last ten years they have won 5 conference tilles and 5 MIAA conference tournament CHAMPIONSHIPS. The last time I checked noone else in the area regardless of NCAA or NAIA have done that. i think that KVS has some good morals and KARMA on his side.

IM OUT

1 National Championship and 1 Final Four appearance isn't too bad either.
As for Karma, I don't believe in that.

[Shareef23]

WWKVSD? had a meeting with the Veltema's this week

Hmmm, sounds nice. He'd be almost a lock to start at the two or three for Calvin next year.

The kids from Covenant are almost a lock for Calvin this year, its a bout time that Calvin got back into the Protestant Reformed community.

Would also be great pickups need a year or two of seasoning but could turn into very effective varsity level players. Their no Holstage and Meulenburg at this point.

A transfer or two does not necessarily upset the balance of a team.  The coach must make it clear to them that their minutes must be earned.  Bringing in five transfers in 1 year, and trying to assimilate them and returning players into one cohesive unit is very difficult.

It all depend on what players you have on the team and who your bringing in. Aultman and Shilts were a great example of bringing guys in who fit into the coaches game plan. I really think GVW did a great job getting them to play together considering the circumstances.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I would agree - I don't think the transfers or team chemistry had a negative impact on the Dutchmen this year.  Finishing games - now that was a problem.   For some reason our offense seemed to run out of gas at the most in-opportune time - the last 5 minutes of a game.   Would have loved to see the womens team give the guys a few pointers on that subject - they were phenominal at finishing.

[sac]

The last time I checked since WWKVSD? was in charge the last ten years they have won 5 conference tilles and 5 MIAA conference tournament CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Shilts? Aultman?..........WWKVSD would have 2 less MIAA Tournament Championships and 2 less appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with one fewer trips to Salem.  Probably about 10 fewer wins as well.

  But he'd have 2 more 4th place finishes without those two.


Why is it somehow bad if Hope gets transfers.......but everyone else can just fine?  Please I would like to know, serious question.  Is it just the numbers?

Niedlinger, Fulse?.............transfers to Albion.

Dyson.......Olivet

Everyone of these guys significantly improved thier team.

[sac]

Finishing games - now that was a problem.   For some reason our offense seemed to run out of gas at the most in-opportune time - the last 5 minutes of a game.   Would have loved to see the womens team give the guys a few pointers on that subject - they were phenominal at finishing.

Watching the NCAA D1 tournament I've cringed everytime I see a team run the clock down and try to shorten a game  in the last 5 minutes.

[oldknight]

Why is it somehow bad if Hope gets transfers.......but everyone else can just fine?  Please I would like to know, serious question.  Is it just the numbers?

I'm tired of repeating myself but I'll do it again. The issue is not transfers. I don't have a problem with any student or player wanting to transfer to a different college or university for reasons personal to the transfer. The issue (for me anyway) is whether an in-season transfer should be an active player on the transferee school's team after that team's roster has already been set. Let's stay on point boys and girls. 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

The last time I checked since WWKVSD? was in charge the last ten years they have won 5 conference tilles and 5 MIAA conference tournament CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Shilts? Aultman?..........WWKVSD would have 2 less MIAA Tournament Championships and 2 less appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with one fewer trips to Salem.  Probably about 10 fewer wins as well.

  But he'd have 2 more 4th place finishes without those two.


Why is it somehow bad if Hope gets transfers.......but everyone else can just fine?  Please I would like to know, serious question.  Is it just the numbers?

Niedlinger, Fulse?.............transfers to Albion.

Dyson.......Olivet

Everyone of these guys significantly improved thier team.

Not to mention Mr. Crawford

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Why is it somehow bad if Hope gets transfers.......but everyone else can just fine?  Please I would like to know, serious question.  Is it just the numbers?

I'm tired of repeating myself but I'll do it again. The issue is not transfers. I don't have a problem with any student or player wanting to transfer to a different college or university for reasons personal to the transfer. The issue (for me anyway) is whether an in-season transfer should be an active player on the transferee school's team after that team's roster has already been set. Let's stay on point boys and girls. 

And you have remained true to your position, but others (quite a few of them) seem to be throwing darts based solely on the fact that they are transfers

[almcguirejr]

Why is it somehow bad if Hope gets transfers.......but everyone else can just fine?  Please I would like to know, serious question.  Is it just the numbers?

I don't think anyone has stated it's bad that Hope gets transfers.  The difficulty in bringing in as many as 5 is trying to get the transfers and the returnees to play as one unit and keeping animosity between players to a minimum.  There has never been any criticism of Eric Voisen transferring.  I have only criticized the decision to play DVS after he transferred at mid year.