MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Does this year's Calvin team remind anyone else of what Hope went through last year at the same time? Injuries to key players early in the year eliminating any chance of an at large bid in the first 3 weeks of the season.

I would say Hope's situation was much more disappointing though because the expectations for that team were a lot higher than the expectations most of us had for Calvin this year.

[goodknight]

Oldknight, the Trinity Trolls may not be as bad as their record (3-7), although I still can't figure out how they let Calvin steal the W last night.
The Trolls dropped an OT game to St. Xavier University, an NAIA power, in the third game of the season.  St. X followed that up with a number of quality wins, including one over NCAA D1 University of Illinois at Chicago.  Illinois Wesleyan, ranked No. 1 in D3, just handled St. X. by 20.  

[Flying Dutch Fan]

DCNut - I've been thinking the same thing

[ziggy]

What is the ticket situation for the MIAA/CCIW challenge?  Will tickets be available for anyone not already in Holland?  If so, how?

[Dark Knight]

I would say Hope's situation was much more disappointing though because the expectations for that team were a lot higher than the expectations most of us had for Calvin this year.

And conversely, Calvin's final-four finish last year was that much more satisfying because it exceeded expectation.

So, anyone think Hope can win the national championship this year? 

[oldknight]

goodnight:

I agree that Trinity is a competitive team and they seem to be making progress towards making themselves a good basketball program. But to be considered a good team they can't lose to Calvin when the Knights are in a down year and have player and injury losses that would decimate any team. This is especially true when you have your opponent down 20 in the second half--that's a big hole out of which they should never have let Calvin climb. Trinity now needs to make the next step in their basketball development--finishing off a team when holding a second half lead.

I will add this: if Calvin can get healthy, and if their freshmen continue to progress, the Knights might be a team that could spring and upset during the conference tournament.

[AndersDY]

Flying Dutch, I want to go to Friday's game, but I didn't realize that all four games in the CCIW matchup are played in one place. With both Hope and Calvin playing in Holland with tickets which I assume cover both games, are their special arrangements for tickets, including for those of us who are used to using our faculty connection to get in at will?

[Civic Minded]

goodknight -- thanks for the update on Meckes.  Glad to know that he's doing better, and maybe even ready to play tomorrow.

I'm also glad (although I'm sure it seems disengenuous) to hear that the young Knights took care of business, and that Draayer and Trewella found their shots back.  It wouldn't be any fun to have them struggling terribly all season, even for us Hope fans.

What happened to Trinity though?  Sounds like they fell apart at the end, or forgot to watch for your big shooters.  With Hope traveling to Trinity on Tuesday, I'd be intereted in hearing your take on them...

[ziggy]

Trewhella did an amazing job in the last minutes as he hit two threes they had to have.  As far as a report on Trinity, don't leave 22 open.  He hit just about everything in the first half as the Trolls shot about 83% on three pointers.  In the second half Calvin didnt double down on the bigs as often and left fewer open shooters.  Trinity's strength is in their 3 point shooting with just enough down low to change it up from time to time.

Again, anyone know the ticket situation for this weekend, particularly saturday?

[KnightSlappy]

OldKnight,  I am not sure what you meant by the Hoekstra comment.  Did you mean you are dissapointed that he isn't playing or that he doesn't attend the games.  He did attend the game last night although he did not sit with the rest of the students as Roelofs has done this year.

[mrswylie]

What is the ticket situation for the MIAA/CCIW challenge?  Will tickets be available for anyone not already in Holland?  If so, how?

Ziggy - listening to the Hope sports report this morning, Tom Renner said that tickets should be available at the door for this weekend's games.  I guess "should" might leave the question open, but it sounded like he was concerned after the opening night sellout that people would assume a sellout.

[hopefan]

MrsW  -  can't believe Tom Renner is still doing the Hope Sports report!!!!!!   I won't be coming up this weekend as I had hoped, as the wife is working.  Maybe a conference game in January/February.  Lots of family news  -  daughter married two weeks ago, and after the wedding 2nd son announced we are to be grandparents next summer!!!!   Still broke, but life is not bad!  Hi to Lin and however many kids you have now.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Tickets - not sure other than the already quoted Hope Sports Report on WHTC.  Calvin fans - are they/did they sell tickets for the weekend at Calvin?

Andy Phillips names to the D3hoops.com team of the week!

[goodknight]

Civic Minded:
Calvin changed its defensive approach pretty significantly after the halftime break.  It had doubled down on Ty DeWitte, Trinity's big center, and some on Lawrence Weller, the power forward.   This contributed in part to Trinity's 10 of 12 shooting from behind the arc in the first half.  The Knights turned up the defensive intensity some, but Trinity came back to earth in its long-range shooting, as well.  Dean Nauta had all 14 of his points in the first half and misfired badly in the second half, even when he had open looks.  Trinity probably should have pushed the ball more to DeWitte when Calvin abandoned the double team scheme.  He's not a pretty player, but he's really a signficant space eater who can draw fouls and has a good touch at the free throw line.  I haven't seen Hope other than its first 12 minutes against AQ in the VanAndel, but I can't imagine that the Dutchmen will struggle with the Trolls the way Calvin did.  Calvin just doesn't have anything approaching Hope's depth even with a full complement of players, much less with the banged-up group we're looking at now.

[Civic Minded]

Goodknight, thanks for the info.  If nothing else, it will make watching the game on Tuesday more interesting for me, knowing whom to keep an eye on, etc.  I appreciate your insight.