MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Gregory Sager]

(Pope Sac, we're trying to heed your admonition to post on matters involving our team, rather than whine, whine, whine about all things Hope  )

Wow, didn't even know I was ordained.   I guess I should consider Ashabi for Sainthood.

He can be the patron saint of the supersweet.

It's official! Now released to the public:

http://www.calvin.edu/sports/mbasket/roster.htm

http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/mbb/mbbrost.html


Tall rosters, too!!! Maybe the tallest in recent memory for both? With the exception of 2 PGs @ Hope and 1 @ Calvin (who used to be @ Hope), everybody is 6-2 or over...Those create great mismatches when the Madonnas and Grace Bibles pop up on the schedule.

You could put an eight-year-old girl in a stolen foam cowboy hat in the Hope or Calvin lineup, and it would still be a mismatch over whomever Grace Bible put on the floor.

I heard from someone that some Hope players got in trouble.  Is this true?

I'm sad to report its true.

Apparently around 2 am Saturday morning, three Hope players were caught outside Graves Hall painting the anchor Maroon and Gold.  We're all shocked and dismayed by this incident.

The 3 players were Stefan Rheinsthreys, Brian Skreens and Igor Dunksovernites.  Thats why you don't see them on the roster, apparently Glenn has laid down the hammer and made these three an example to the others.  Apparently its some team hazing ritual, after painting the anchor they take them out in the woods and paint the players maroon and gold give theam a quarter and tell them to find their way back home.

Its been going on for year, just one of Hope's many dirty little secrets.

I heard that all three were going to appear on 60 Minutes in order to tell Ed Bradley that they were falsely accused.

[WLCALUM83]

Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. This poster even gave Igor a break just to satisfy sac. (Since there's no face that matches a shoulder shrug, I'll just go with the following. 

[almcguirejr]

It's official! Now released to the public:

http://www.calvin.edu/sports/mbasket/roster.htm

http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/mbb/mbbrost.html

It should be noted that the Hope roster is tentative, additions and/or deletions may
occur throughout the season.

[realist]

Tall rosters, too!!! Maybe the tallest in recent memory for both?

DV:  Yes, lots of height, but one has to wonder about someone 6'11" and 200 lbs.  Even 6'9" and 190 does not strike fear in many hearts.   Even if they gain the 15 lbs a typical college freshman does they will need to stand up several times to cast much of a shadow.

[Dark Knight]

Hope is losing Jeff Carlson, Evan Hare, Greg Immink, Andy Phillips, Eric Voisin, and Patrick Woolpert. Together, they accounted for 56% of minutes played and 53% of points scored.

That group includes two of the touted transfers and three starters -- all on the All-MIAA first team. Phillips was an All-American, if memory serves, and Immink really ran the team.

I know Hope was deep, but losing half your team and your three best players (according to All-MIAA accolades) has got to hurt.

So how does this year's team compare? Who are those new guys, Steven Kratz (Fr), Dan Greenan (So), Scott Glaser (Jr), Tim Dykgraaf (So), and Zach Osburn (Jr)?

[Shareef23]

I expect Koetsier to be getting some decent minutes this year. He supposedly looked great this summer. I agree with goodknight starting lineup. I realize that it's hard to sit a senior like Snoop, but if anyone has the attitude to do that it's him. To me, his greatest strength is his leadership and the attitude he brings to the floor. I believe that he can bring this from the bench just as well as if not better than he can starting. He changes the flow of the game when he's on the floor and think bringing him off the bench platys to this strength. If what I hear about Mantel is true, it would be nearly impossible not to start him. I don't want to drive up expectations for the kid, so I will say no more. How come no one cared when I told you Griffin was on the way and now everyone has him pegged to start. Funny. Young in the backcourt, but experienced so I don't worry there. The frontcourt is full of seniors and very strong defensively. The JV is huge and a year down there for Engelsman, Schuster, Veenstra, and the like will do them good. Interesting, that Zwier made varsity, buit I've heard he's made good strides and glad for the kid. I am kind of surpirsed that Duff got cut and McCray made it. Not saying it's a bad move, but a just a little surprising.

[Shareef23]

As for Hope, I look for them to really push it up the floor this year. The one through three spots can play with anyone in the country, but the frontcourt has lost quite a bit. I expect Reimink to stat and have an excellent year. I love what he brings to the table. I see the key being the play of Richardson. I presume he will start at the five and they need him to rebound and play good D. The guards will do plenty of scoring so he just needs to be consistent. I can't belive that with Hope being ranked 14 that Calvin doesn't even break the top 25. I think Hope lost an afual lot be still deserve the ranking, but how to you justify Calvin not being in the twenties somewhere. I'd be shocked if both these teams are not in the tourney.

[Shareef23]

One more thing, what a fall to live in Michigan, eh? I really feel blessed to live in this state with my Tiges and the Blue where there at. Just a word of advice. Take it in! It might be a genereation befroe we see this stuff happeaning again.

[realist]

S23:  Not surprised that Calvin isn't ranked.  Always nice to slide in under the early rader, and many times it is easier to build a name than live up to preseason hype.   

[oldknight]

One more thing, what a fall to live in Michigan, eh? I really feel blessed to live in this state with my Tiges and the Blue where there at. Just a word of advice. Take it in! It might be a genereation befroe we see this stuff happeaning again.

Now if we could an NFL team in this state we would be all set.

[goodknight]

I expect Koetsier to be getting some decent minutes this year. He supposedly looked great this summer. I agree with goodknight starting lineup. I realize that it's hard to sit a senior like Snoop, but if anyone has the attitude to do that it's him. To me, his greatest strength is his leadership and the attitude he brings to the floor. I believe that he can bring this from the bench just as well as if not better than he can starting. He changes the flow of the game when he's on the floor and think bringing him off the bench platys to this strength. If what I hear about Mantel is true, it would be nearly impossible not to start him. I don't want to drive up expectations for the kid, so I will say no more. How come no one cared when I told you Griffin was on the way and now everyone has him pegged to start. Funny. Young in the backcourt, but experienced so I don't worry there. The frontcourt is full of seniors and very strong defensively. The JV is huge and a year down there for Engelsman, Schuster, Veenstra, and the like will do them good. Interesting, that Zwier made varsity, buit I've heard he's made good strides and glad for the kid. I am kind of surpirsed that Duff got cut and McCray made it. Not saying it's a bad move, but a just a little surprising.

Shareef23, you hit the nail on the head with your comments on Snoeyink.  He's a grinder and a great team player who understands that his starting status last year came only when Hoekstra and Roelefs decided to forego their senior year of eligibility.  He might very well provide more to the Knights coming off the bench than he would in the starting five.
I expect Koetsier will contribute a good amount off the bench, as well.   
Can't wait for Nov. 17.

[Shareef23]

I agree, I would much rather come from the unranks, but my hype is always the same. Trust me , this team is capable of reaching them too. Apparently, the voters failed to have learned from the past couple of seasons. It's always more fun to be the "underdog".

I can't wait for the 17th either, but there seems to be a little conflict of interests for me at around 3:30 EST on the 18th.

The state does have an NFL team. They play in A2.

[Dark Knight]

I can't belive that with Hope being ranked 14 that Calvin doesn't even break the top 25. I think Hope lost an afual lot be still deserve the ranking, but how to you justify Calvin not being in the twenties somewhere. I'd be shocked if both these teams are not in the tourney.

When you say "ranked" you presumably mean by the DIII News 2006-07 MENS Preseason Top 25 -- but I expect the d3hoops.com preseason poll to be different, and more informed.  I wouldn't be surprised if the chatter in this group drives down Hope and drives up Calvin -- perhaps more than would be warranted, since we haven't even seen the season previews or starting lineups yet. And Hope still does have an extremely talented collection of players.

[Shareef23]

You presumed correctly. I never said Hope shouldn't be ranked. I believe that ranking is about right. I just think Calvin should be ranked in twenties if Hope is 14. I would rank Calvin much higher, but that ranking would be through "slightly" tainted glasses. 

[realist]

DK:  I tend to agree.  There shouldn't be much doubt that Hope returns with a load of talent, and probably is the odds on favorite at this time.  Calvin just has too many ? marks to merit more than a passing mention.  By the time MIAA action starts in Jan. we will have a much better feel for how the "ripening Knights" will do.