MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[oldknight]

When Calvin used a late first half run to take a 47-29 lead into the locker room at halftime, it looked like an easy Knights win was in the offing at VNA. Not to be, as a quick, tough, highly competitive and well-coached Rockford quintet asserted themselves early and often in the second half. The Regents got as close as 57-55 midway through the second frame, with the visiting team hitting 7 of their first 13 shots from beyond the arc during their run. Calvin seemed to have thrown just a bit off-kilter by Rockford's stubborn refusal to lose to the host team. To their credit, the young Knights never showed signs of panic. Veteran Marcus Bult hit the biggest basket of the game--a three-pointer--with only a minute left when Calvin led by 3, and the veteran from Wheaton Academy followed that up with a steal just seconds later to pretty much seal the deal for the Knights. The final score of 76-68 doesn't tell the story of how challenging a win this was.

Overway with another double-double, going for 21 and 10, while the highly competitive Egekeze added 17, with 7 boards and some phenomenal defense, blocking 4 shots, altering several others, and grabbing 2 steals in 38 minutes of action. Bult scored 14 and freshman Luka Ressler was tremendous off the bench, scoring 13, gaining 7 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Diemer and Vincent led Rockford with 17 and 15. A fairly sloppy game as Rockford had 20 turnovers and Calvin 18, but both teams played very hard.

Great game experience for this very young Calvin team that is now 6-0 on the season while Rockford suffers their first loss and is 3-1. It's these kinds of games you have to play and win during the conference season that is the difference between champions and third place in the league. We'll know more about these young Knights after Saturday's game vs UWSP.

[wiz]

I have seen a lot of Calvin basketball over the years.  At my first game, Barney Steen was the coach and Ed Douma was a player.  The Knights have posted some championship teams but this very young group is my favorite to watch.  They are young, talented, composed and well coached.  No prima-donnas on this team, no fifth year players, just a group of competitive, teachable student athletes.  A lot of young players gaining valuable minutes.  Eager to see what they can accomplish during their Calvin years.

[KnightSlappy]

Rockford is a pesky team with lots of quick guards and a very skilled forward in Kevin Deimer. Pretty much everyone on the floor for the Regents can shoot from distance and they hit at a 40% clip in this one. Rockford will compete with the best teams in their conference and will win more than they lose this season but still, this feels like a game Calvin should have won by at least 15 or so, especially after mounting a 20 pt lead just before the half.

Even so, it was encouraging to see the young Knights battle and keep their composure throughout the 2nd half. These games can be valuable learning experiences for a growing team.

[pointlem]

I watched some of Calvin's first half last night, and can appreciate Calvin fans' optimism about their team's long-term future. Pick your poison with Jalen Overway. Leave him free to catch the ball in the post and he will rotate to the basket with his nice shooting touch. Shut him down with a double team and he will pass out for an open 3-point shot. Seldom is one player such a difference maker.

[Greek Tragedy]

I have seen a lot of Calvin basketball over the years.  At my first game, Barney Steen was the coach and Ed Douma was a player.  The Knights have posted some championship teams but this very young group is my favorite to watch.  They are young, talented, composed and well coached.  No prima-donnas on this team, no fifth year players, just a group of competitive, teachable student athletes.  A lot of young players gaining valuable minutes.  Eager to see what they can accomplish during their Calvin years.

Wow, pretty bold statement early in the season. Obviously, Calvin fans have a right to be excited and optimistic. But your "favorite to watch"? And what's wrong with 5th year players on your team?

I watched some of Calvin's first half last night, and can appreciate Calvin fans' optimism about their team's long-term future. Pick your poison with Jalen Overway. Leave him free to catch the ball in the post and he will rotate to the basket with his nice shooting touch. Shut him down with a double team and he will pass out for an open 3-point shot. Seldom is one player such a difference maker.

Seldom for Calvin or throughout D3 this year or historically?

My Pointers play Calvin today. I hope they can make it a game. They have a hard time with big front courts and that's definitely something Calvin has. Point is young with a lot of transfers coming in, so everyone is still trying to figure out their rolls. They are 4-1, but it's not an impressive 4-1 by any means.

[pointlem]

Playing without Evan Thomas (reportedly a broken left pinkie finger) and Marcus Wourman (reportedly ill), Hope sped out to a 17 point lead, which Rockford erased by halftime . . . and then more so with a 47 - 42 Rockford lead two minutes into the second half.

Thereafter Hope blistered the nets and led 89 to 68 with 4.5 minutes left, before coasting to a 97 to 83 win.

Once again, Gabe Quillan, with a career-high 31 points (including 3 of 4 3-point shots) and 10 rebounds, showed why he is arguably Hope's most improved player. TJ McKenzie, with 23 points (5 of 7 3's), continues his shift from excelling at football to basketball. Even defensive specialist Eli Schoonveld scored in double figures on 4 of 5 shooting, and with three blocks in one 60-second stretch.

All in all, a well-played game. Add Wourman and Thomas back into the mix, and with Ethan Crabtree's knee continuing to strengthen, and hopes rise for Hope's season.

[oldknight]

Well, well, well, Jalen Overway doesn't have to get a double/double for the Knights to win. A very encouraging 61-50 Calvin victory this afternoon over a game. rested and well-coached Stevens Point team. The Knights were coming off their second competitive contest in 18 hours, and it showed. The visitors (why did SP cancel their Friday night contest in Holland?) seemed better able to hit the tough shot in the lane much of the game. But down the stretch, it was Calvin that looked tougher on the defensive end of the court. After Zach Mootz hit a triple with over 4 minutes left, to tie the game at 50, the Pointers never scored again. In fact, I don't remember SP getting even a half decent look at the basket, as Calvin's D took over the final minutes.

In the end, the veterans led the way, with Egekeze, time and again, going into lockdown on his man. For the second straight game, Bult scored the key points when Calvin needed them most. Egekeze finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, and a host of shot altering plays. Sensenig had 11, and Bult 9. A noticeably weary Overway ended with 8 points and 8 boards. Gillie, Buchanan and Mootz had 14, 12 and 10 for UWSP.

Calvin improves to 7-0, and Michigan crushes Ohio on a sunny, mid 50's day in the Mitten State. Saturdays in November don't get much better than than that.

[John Gleich]

Well, well, well, Jalen Overway doesn't have to get a double/double for the Knights to win. A very encouraging 61-50 Calvin victory this afternoon over a game. rested and well-coached Stevens Point team. The Knights were coming off their second competitive contest in 18 hours, and it showed. The visitors (why did SP cancel their Friday night contest in Holland?) seemed better able to hit the tough shot in the lane much of the game. But down the stretch, it was Calvin that looked tougher on the defensive end of the court. After Zach Mootz hit a triple with over 4 minutes left, to tie the game at 50, the Pointers never scored again. In fact, I don't remember SP getting even a hand decent look at the basket, as Calvin's D took over the final minutes.

In the end, the veterans led the way, with Egekeze, time and again, going into lockdown on his man. For the second straight game, Bult scored the key points when Calvin needed them most. Egekeze finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 block, and a host of shot altering plays. Sensenig had 11, and Bult 9. A noticeably weary Overway ended with 8 points and 8 boards. Gillie, Buchanan and Mootz had 14, 12 and 10 for UWSP.

Calvin improves to 7-0, and Michigan crushes Ohio on a sunny, mid 50's day in the Mitten State. Saturdays in November don't get much better than than that.

Stevens Point never had a game scheduled at Hope.  If anything, Hope would have come to Wisconsin this year. SP played in Holland last year.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Well, well, well, Jalen Overway doesn't have to get a double/double for the Knights to win. A very encouraging 61-50 Calvin victory this afternoon over a game. rested and well-coached Stevens Point team. The Knights were coming off their second competitive contest in 18 hours, and it showed. The visitors (why did SP cancel their Friday night contest in Holland?) seemed better able to hit the tough shot in the lane much of the game. But down the stretch, it was Calvin that looked tougher on the defensive end of the court. After Zach Mootz hit a triple with over 4 minutes left, to tie the game at 50, the Pointers never scored again. In fact, I don't remember SP getting even a hand decent look at the basket, as Calvin's D took over the final minutes.

In the end, the veterans led the way, with Egekeze, time and again, going into lockdown on his man. For the second straight game, Bult scored the key points when Calvin needed them most. Egekeze finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 block, and a host of shot altering plays. Sensenig had 11, and Bult 9. A noticeably weary Overway ended with 8 points and 8 boards. Gillie, Buchanan and Mootz had 14, 12 and 10 for UWSP.

Calvin improves to 7-0, and Michigan crushes Ohio on a sunny, mid 50's day in the Mitten State. Saturdays in November don't get much better than than that.

Stevens Point never had a game scheduled at Hope.  If anything, Hope would have come to Wisconsin this year. SP played in Holland last year.

Sorry but you are 1000% wrong on that. UWSP was originally scheduled to play Hope on Friday and Calvin on Saturday.  It was cancelled just prior to UWSP publishing their schedule. That cancellation was ultimately replaced in Hope's schedule by their game at UWW.

[John Gleich]

Well, well, well, Jalen Overway doesn't have to get a double/double for the Knights to win. A very encouraging 61-50 Calvin victory this afternoon over a game. rested and well-coached Stevens Point team. The Knights were coming off their second competitive contest in 18 hours, and it showed. The visitors (why did SP cancel their Friday night contest in Holland?) seemed better able to hit the tough shot in the lane much of the game. But down the stretch, it was Calvin that looked tougher on the defensive end of the court. After Zach Mootz hit a triple with over 4 minutes left, to tie the game at 50, the Pointers never scored again. In fact, I don't remember SP getting even a hand decent look at the basket, as Calvin's D took over the final minutes.

In the end, the veterans led the way, with Egekeze, time and again, going into lockdown on his man. For the second straight game, Bult scored the key points when Calvin needed them most. Egekeze finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 block, and a host of shot altering plays. Sensenig had 11, and Bult 9. A noticeably weary Overway ended with 8 points and 8 boards. Gillie, Buchanan and Mootz had 14, 12 and 10 for UWSP.

Calvin improves to 7-0, and Michigan crushes Ohio on a sunny, mid 50's day in the Mitten State. Saturdays in November don't get much better than than that.

Stevens Point never had a game scheduled at Hope.  If anything, Hope would have come to Wisconsin this year. SP played in Holland last year.

Sorry but you are 1000% wrong on that. UWSP was originally scheduled to play Hope on Friday and Calvin on Saturday.  It was cancelled just prior to UWSP publishing their schedule. That cancellation was ultimately replaced in Hope's schedule by their game at UWW.

11/23/13 @UWSP UWSP 82 Hope 62
11/22/14 @Hope UWSP 77 Hope 66
11/21/15 @UWSP Hope 68 UWSP 56
12/10/16 @Hope UWSP 74 Hope 72
12/9/17 @UWSP UWSP 91 Hope 77
12/8/18 @Hope UWSP 82 Hope 72
12/7/19 @UWSP UWSP 74 Hope 65
2020/21 COVID
12/18/21 @Hope Hope 71 UWSP 57

They have played 8 times, in each of the last 8 full seasons. 4 home and homes. UWSP played at Hope last year. Hope published their schedule before it was agreed upon by Point.

What would UWSP return to Holland two years in a row?

[HOPEful]

Sorry but you are 1000% wrong on that. UWSP was originally scheduled to play Hope on Friday and Calvin on Saturday.  It was cancelled just prior to UWSP publishing their schedule. That cancellation was ultimately replaced in Hope's schedule by their game at UWW.

11/23/13 @UWSP UWSP 82 Hope 62
11/22/14 @Hope UWSP 77 Hope 66
11/21/15 @UWSP Hope 68 UWSP 56
12/10/16 @Hope UWSP 74 Hope 72
12/9/17 @UWSP UWSP 91 Hope 77
12/8/18 @Hope UWSP 82 Hope 72
12/7/19 @UWSP UWSP 74 Hope 65
2020/21 COVID
12/18/21 @Hope Hope 71 UWSP 57

They have played 8 times, in each of the last 8 full seasons. 4 home and homes. UWSP played at Hope last year. Hope published their schedule before it was agreed upon by Point.

What would UWSP return to Holland two years in a row?

I agree with FDF that this weekend was originally planned to be a swap of Rockford and UWSP playing at Hope and Calvin on back to back nights. A pseudo-replacement of the Hall of Fame Classic. UWSP pulled out.

Why would UWSP return to Holland two years in a row? Because they were already in West MI, to add another matchup against a likely regionally ranked opponent, to play in one of the better facilities in all of D-3, to get experience against another quality opponent before starting WIAC play, etc.

Why wouldn't they seems like the better question to me. Did Hope offer the game this year and UWSP verbally agree but later in discussions pull out when Hope refused to commit to playing at UWSP next season? (Purely conjecture on my part. I don't know why UWSP pulled out.)

[TUAngola]

Trine 76 Capital 60

Matinee at Trine Univ this afternoon and the Thunder rolled to a comfortable win against Capital.  All 5 staters finish in double figures.  Got off to a slow start then shots began to fall and the lead got up to 17 points in the first half.  Thunder lead at halftime 45-31.  In the second half the guys extended the lead to 30 points before Capital ended the game on a 13 point run.  Was nice to have Nate Carbaugh back from injury, he played some last weekend and today Coach Miller had him in the substitution rotation.  He hasn't played that much in his time at Trine, he isn't a scorer but can spell both Cox and Megnanglo and play tough defense.  On a negative note key sub Ryan Preston appeared to roll his ankle just a short time after entering the game, hoping it isn't a significant injury but he was hobbling noticeably heading to the locker room.

Trine: Megnanglo 18, Smylie, 14, Jannsen 14, Jones 11, Cox 10  (I think it might be a career high for Emmanuel)
Capital: Nixon 10, Eiynk 10

[goodknight]

Calvin is ranked #17 in D3Hoops' first in-season Top 25 poll, with Hope and Trine also receiving votes.
A promising start for our league.

[sac]

Calvin is ranked #17 in D3Hoops' first in-season Top 25 poll, with Hope and Trine also receiving votes.
A promising start for our league.

5/8ths of the league is 7-13 though.


Calvin, Hope, Trine are 16-1

[ziggy]

Calvin is ranked #17 in D3Hoops' first in-season Top 25 poll, with Hope and Trine also receiving votes.
A promising start for our league.

5/8ths of the league is 7-13 though.


Calvin, Hope, Trine are 16-1

I trust each coach has what they believe to be the best interest of their team in putting together a schedule but I question the difficulty some of the bottom teams in the league seem to take on year-after-year.