MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[SKOT]

*  And kudos to Coach Passage for the conduct after the game.  Maybe you could share the good sportsmanship award to the coaches from Olivet and Tri-State.  Thanks.

What did he do?  I always thought he conducted himself with class.

I think this was sarcasm not marked with any smileys to make it ambiguous.  I remember someone saying something a while back about the Olivet coach complaining after they play Hope.  I zone out for days at a time (which would allow me to miss the talk about the 3S coach, oh darn)

[gohope]

*  And kudos to Coach Passage for the conduct after the game.  Maybe you could share the good sportsmanship award to the coaches from Olivet and Tri-State.  Thanks.

What did he do?  I always thought he conducted himself with class.

I think this was sarcasm not marked with any smileys to make it ambiguous.  I remember someone saying something a while back about the Olivet coach complaining after they play Hope.  I zone out for days at a time (which would allow me to miss the talk about the 3S coach, oh darn)

Let's just say that there's a tie between the Olivet coach and the Tri-State coach for the "Fastest Coach To the Lockerroom After The Game" award.


Question:  When do regional rankings come out?  Or if they are, where can you find them?

[David Collinge]

Question:  When do regional rankings come out?  Or if they are, where can you find them?

Answer: Feb. 7, and I'd watch the front page and the Daily Dose.

[gohope]

Question:  When do regional rankings come out?  Or if they are, where can you find them?

Answer: Feb. 7, and I'd watch the front page and the Daily Dose.

Thanks David!   

[almcguirejr]

After mulling over Calvin's game about the only idea that comes to mind is move up a couple of the JV's, and let them get some experience at the next level.  Perhaps shaking up the lineup, and using Calvin's strength (it's height inside) will free the guards from thinking they have to win the game from the outside.

I don't think this is the answer.  There is only one roster spot open because there are 14
players on the roster already.  Also,  I think introducing another player onto the team  with 6 games to go would only add more confusion as to who is playing what role.

[KnightSlappy]

There is a reason why the JV guys are on JV.  They aren't ready for varsity yet.

[almcguirejr]

At the midway point of the MIAA season I like to come up with our midseason awards.  However this year I'm having a very difficult time coming up with a first team all-miaa

Derek VanSolkema and Steve Cramer from Hope are locks in my opinion after that I think there's a lot of room for debate, possitives and negatives with each player.

Isaac Smith, Alma and Tony Benford, TSU deserve a spot for their scoring.  Smith is basically carrying a poor Alma team on his shoulders, Benford is probably the toughest one on one matchup. 

Zak Silas, Albion---a slow start to the MIAA campaign but has come on in recent games. 

Caleb Veldhouse, Calvin-----I think he's still the most dangerous gaurd in the league when it comes to break out scoring and taking over a game.  However the Knights inconsistency in finding a 2nd and 3rd scorer have made Caleb easier to defend.  In his two outings vs Hope, he's looked more like a Freshman this year than last.

Brandon Way, Olivet-----underrated point gaurd, excellent quickness, difficult matchup for anyone in this league.  Brave 3 point shooter as well, he's quietly had a very solid first 7 game.

Andy Sierminski, Olivet-----My pick for  Freshman of the year, excellent outside shooter for his size.  With the lack of post play in this league he could be a dominant inside player in the coming years, esp if a couple other Comets develop.

Desmond Young, Adrian----had a great start to the MIAA season but Hope locked him down and he's seemingly struggled since as have the Bulldogs.  I'd say his stock is dropping but a solid second half will probably keep him in the top 8.


Those are my top 9 players right now......

It seems to me that some players will be all conference players because there are 8 spots on the team, not because of their outstanding play.

[realist]

It is a matter of personal preference, but to me it would make more sense (for Calvin) to leave a couple of roster spots open to move up or "reward" jv players.  KVS has done this in the past.  How much of a contibution has the 15th person on Calvin's roster made when he has played 16 minutes total over 7 games?  It isn't like the jv's are total strangers.  We agree what Calvin has done up till not has not gotten the job done.  So perhaps, it is time for a new strategy, a few player changes, and some creative thinking.   Looking at the playing time for the starting 3 guards suggests that the over reliance on them, has simply worn them out!   As playing time went up productivity went down.  If you can't create new guards with a snap of the fingers you have to figure out how to use other players more, and guards less.  Or am I missing something?

[KnightSlappy]

It is a matter of personal preference, but to me it would make more sense (for Calvin) to leave a couple of roster spots open to move up or "reward" jv players.  KVS has done this in the past.  How much of a contibution has the 15th person on Calvin's roster made when he has played 16 minutes total over 7 games?  It isn't like the jv's are total strangers.  We agree what Calvin has done up till not has not gotten the job done.  So perhaps, it is time for a new strategy, a few player changes, and some creative thinking.   Looking at the playing time for the starting 3 guards suggests that the over reliance on them, has simply worn them out!   As playing time went up productivity went down.  If you can't create new guards with a snap of the fingers you have to figure out how to use other players more, and guards less.  Or am I missing something?

KVS was calling for more play in the post all game.  I think the solution is not more big men in the game but for the guards to actually give them the ball in position down low.

[Dew Nation]

Just took a look at the league stats, and as this IS a team game, it is interesting, but not surprising to see Hope lead every team category but Offensive rebounding. And lead no individual category but 3-point %.

It is hard to have many offensive boards when you shoot as well as they have or as many threes as they do.  This appears to be the most team focused Hope team that I have been around.  Pretty cool for a bunch of transfers and highly touted individuals.

[realist]

KS:  My point is the 3 guards are playing too many minutes per game.  Just telling them to do something hasn't worked.  All the playing time has tired the guards out so much they are not capable of responding.  They hear KVS, but don't have the legs, and stamina to make crisp passes.  The clock runs down, and they throw up a shot using a tired body.  The more you rely on those 3 players (going forward) the more you will see their effectivness diminish.  A 3 guard strategy might work if you go 7 or 8 deep on decent guards, but it hasn't with only 5.  The other option is playing forwards with good ball handling skills to relieve the pressure.

[almcguirejr]

It is a matter of personal preference, but to me it would make more sense (for Calvin) to leave a couple of roster spots open to move up or "reward" jv players.  KVS has done this in the past.  How much of a contibution has the 15th person on Calvin's roster made when he has played 16 minutes total over 7 games?  It isn't like the jv's are total strangers.  We agree what Calvin has done up till not has not gotten the job done.  So perhaps, it is time for a new strategy, a few player changes, and some creative thinking.   Looking at the playing time for the starting 3 guards suggests that the over reliance on them, has simply worn them out!   As playing time went up productivity went down.  If you can't create new guards with a snap of the fingers you have to figure out how to use other players more, and guards less.  Or am I missing something?

KVS was calling for more play in the post all game.  I think the solution is not more big men in the game but for the guards to actually give them the ball in position down low.

I agree 100% with Slappy.  I believe KVS should stick with Meckes, Snoeyink, Bear and Mantel in the 4 and 5 positions.  Stop experimenting with other people in these spots and let the 3 seniors and Mantel play.

I don't know if I would use the words "worn out," but I do think Veldhouse has tried to do too much.  He has had a lot of responibility put on him this year and I think his play has suffered because of it.  Last year Trewhella helped him out in the backcourt.  This year Griffin only handles the ball as a last resort.  When Smith is running the offense, it seems like the offense starts 6 feet furthur from the basket than when Veldhouse is intiating.  Veldhouse by necessity has had to shoulder more of the ball handling this year. Griffin has replaced the scoring average of a Trewhella but we we have not replaced the tenaciousness, toughness, and movement of a Draayer or Trewhella.  Draayer, Trewhella and Snoeyink created more space for Veldhouse last year.  Graduation and a coaching decision have limited that this year.

[flash96]

I have heard that the Olivet coach is on the hot seat.  The administration is calling for a winning season and a strong showing in the MIAA.  Something which the coach has failed to deliver in recent years.  But even if GVW, KVS, or Bobby Knight were there they would have a difficult time delivering!  The academic standards at the college are rather lax and they seem to pursue those of a lower GPA and ACT scores than the other MIAA institutions.

[wiz]

KS:  My point is the 3 guards are playing too many minutes per game.  Just telling them to do something hasn't worked.  All the playing time has tired the guards out so much they are not capable of responding.  They hear KVS, but don't have the legs, and stamina to make crisp passes.  The clock runs down, and they throw up a shot using a tired body.  The more you rely on those 3 players (going forward) the more you will see their effectivness diminish.  A 3 guard strategy might work if you go 7 or 8 deep on decent guards, but it hasn't with only 5.  The other option is playing forwards with good ball handling skills to relieve the pressure.

No need to second guess KVS.  Based on past experience, my hunch is he will have them ready for the MIAA tournament.

Regarding the guards being worn out, you should have watched MSU Saturday night.  Drew Neitzel ran hard for 40 minutes and only became more effective as the game went on.  Playing 20 - 30 minutes a game isn't going to wear them out.

[almcguirejr]

Regarding the guards being worn out, you should have watched MSU Saturday night.  Drew Neitzel ran hard for 40 minutes and only became more effective as the game went on.  Playing 20 - 30 minutes a game isn't going to wear them out.

I thought Neitzel played the last shot beautifully.  He moved away from the top of the key and as soon as the double team came, he passed the ball to Joseph who got a wide open 3.  You see so many NBA, College and High School teams put it in one guy's hands and he tries to deliver by himself.

I also thought it was interesting that Izzo grabbed both Neitzel and Joseph before they got off the floor and talked to them.  Maybe I'm wrong, but my guess is he told them they executed great and next time the shot will fall.