MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[goodknight]

Maybe the Knights are now adjusted to the thin air of the mountains, taking the Saturday matinee from the D2 Cougars of Colorado Christian University by a score of 85-75.  Heard much of the second half on the radio, and it sounded like Calvin had many more open looks today -- and the scoring was spread nicely through the lineup.
A lot better to enter the MIAA conference schedule on a win, and a 7-4 record feels WAY better than 6-5.

[goodknight]

One more note on the Calvin trip to Denver.  On the post-game interview, KVS seemed delighted with the quality of the opponents -- describing Regis as a pounding, half-court team in the vein of Albion and calling CCU a quicker, more athletic team like Olivet.  He felt the games were good prep for the league campaign.
Happy New Year -- and I'll raise a toast to another great conference season (and post-season tourney) in the MIAA.

[sac]

Howdy all.

I thought I'd give you my thoughts on the DeVette Tournament.

The Hope/Lakeland game was simply one of, if not the ugliest games I've ever witnessed.  I expected to see lots of turnovers in the box score but to my surprise that wasn't the case, this was simply ugly ugly shooting by both teams.

The two teams COMBINED for 3-33 from 3 thats 9%.  36-117 from the floor thats around 30% and amazingy 25-48 from the stripe for slightly over 50%.  That is just overall poor play.  50% with nobody gaurding you is not good defense.

Yes both teams played good D at times and it was physical but there were some wide open shots that neither team knocked down.......and I'm sad to say Lakeland might be the worst 3pt shooting team I can remember, those shots just never looked good.

Lakeland looked much more prepared and ready to play than Hope.  The Dutchmen looked much like they did 3 weeks ago against Aquinas......lifeless and going through the motions.

But Hope managed to pull out a game they had no business winning with a very good stretch of defense in the last 10 minutes.  They did overcome Andy Phillips being an almost complete non-factor with a virtual O-fer from the floor and then saddled with foul trouble for much of the game. 

Bottom line was Hope was fortunate to win, but were able to find a slightly higher gear at the right time.  I left DeVos Wed night thinking if Hope played like that vs JCU or a couple of other MIAA schools they'd have lost by 20+.

The next night I walked in at halftime of the Goshen/Lakeland game and   expected Goshen to be ahead by 15........Lakeland ended up winning the game over a pretty good team so maybe I'm underestimateing the Muskies. 

[sac]

Hope vs JCU

What a contrast to the night before, Hope had energy, excitement, intensity and determination.

Little things will win games vs JCU, mostly rebounding and protecting the ball which Hope did relatively well.  JCU has a lot of different presses and tweaks to their pressure.  Fun to watch and difficult to handle the ball.  It must have been frustrating for JCU to put so much energy into the press only to have Hope's two forwards bring the ball up court with ease.

Hope's big spark came from Tyler Wolfe who's first half 3pt show gave them a nice double-digit lead which they held for most of the game.

I believe Hope led by as many as 18 in the second and really could have blown it wide-open.  In the end it ending up being a surprisingly comfortable win over a good JCU team.

A couple good positives:

Eric Voisin looks like he's finally asserting himself as a center.

Greg Immink had a great game under constant pressure and had his best offensive game to date.

I just liked the way Hope looked on Thursday......they had a nice aura about them, call it confidence.

the negatives

Watching Hope players step to the FT line and make 1 of 2 has gotten old......ridiculously old.  This is the worst FT shooting team that I've seen in Holland and at some point it will cost them a game. 

JCU----I like some of the things JCU does, mostly their pressing D and trapping.  But the constant flopping gets old and down right annoying.  The fact that the game turned into a FT shooting contest was predictable.  Its a shame that a good exciting game with lots of action gets turned into a whistle fest, but that's how JCU likes to get back into games..........but the way Hope shoots FT's how can you blame them. 

(...and someone please tell the JCU bench every shot is not an "and one" situation)

I'm not sure JCU is as good as last years version that lost to Albion in the tournament but they're a pretty good team.  Its a nice feather in the cap for Hope to beat an OAC contender.

All in all a good couple days of hoops, and looking forward to what should be a good MIAA season. 

[tniem]

(...and someone please tell the JCU bench every shot is not an "and one" situation)

You have to admit that on a couple wide open layups it was funny to hear that guy with his red hair and beard scream "And One."   

[sac]

(...and someone please tell the JCU bench every shot is not an "and one" situation)

You have to admit that on a couple wide open layups it was funny to hear that guy with his red hair and beard scream "And One."   

If we're talking about the same guy......I think he has a future as a Dale Earnhardt Jr. look alike. 

[MIdoubleA]

(...and someone please tell the JCU bench every shot is not an "and one" situation)

You have to admit that on a couple wide open layups it was funny to hear that guy with his red hair and beard scream "And One."   

If we're talking about the same guy......I think he has a future as a Dale Earnhardt Jr. look alike. 

Is this the same guy with the headband and high-socks?

[David Collinge]

The guy may have been advertising:
And1 Sports

[Flying Dutch Fan]

(...and someone please tell the JCU bench every shot is not an "and one" situation)

You have to admit that on a couple wide open layups it was funny to hear that guy with his red hair and beard scream "And One."   

If we're talking about the same guy......I think he has a future as a Dale Earnhardt Jr. look alike. 

Is this the same guy with the headband and high-socks?

That's the guy.  Last year in the tournament game against Albion, he nearly got a technical and had to be restrained by some of his teammates.  The guy is just really into supporting his team, he's always the first one off the bench to give high fives - and is actually one of the captains of the team.  Kind of like having one of the DewCrew be part of the team.

[RastaRob]

Hey all,

I know this is early, but I really want to gg to the Hope/Calvin game coming up on the 14th. Does anyone know how I can get two or if you have any extras. Please let me know. Thanks.

Rasta Rob

[tniem]

(...and someone please tell the JCU bench every shot is not an "and one" situation)

You have to admit that on a couple wide open layups it was funny to hear that guy with his red hair and beard scream "And One."   

If we're talking about the same guy......I think he has a future as a Dale Earnhardt Jr. look alike. 

Is this the same guy with the headband and high-socks?

That's the guy.  Last year in the tournament game against Albion, he nearly got a technical and had to be restrained by some of his teammates.  The guy is just really into supporting his team, he's always the first one off the bench to give high fives - and is actually one of the captains of the team.  Kind of like having one of the DewCrew be part of the team.

I can understand how a ref would give the guy a tech.  He was amazing.  We were speculating the high socks were to keep himself warm. 

[diehardfan]

you guys just totally broke a quote record 

[Mr. Ypsi]

April,

If you had only quoted Tniem, you could have extended the record!

[sac]

(...and someone please tell the JCU bench every shot is not an "and one" situation)

You have to admit that on a couple wide open layups it was funny to hear that guy with his red hair and beard scream "And One."   

If we're talking about the same guy......I think he has a future as a Dale Earnhardt Jr. look alike. 

Is this the same guy with the headband and high-socks?

That's the guy.  Last year in the tournament game against Albion, he nearly got a technical and had to be restrained by some of his teammates.  The guy is just really into supporting his team, he's always the first one off the bench to give high fives - and is actually one of the captains of the team.  Kind of like having one of the DewCrew be part of the team.

I can understand how a ref would give the guy a tech.  He was amazing.  We were speculating the high socks were to keep himself warm. 

I don't know about a record but it sure looks weird.

....and Tniem yes I was talking about that guy!

[Mr. Ypsi]

(...and someone please tell the JCU bench every shot is not an "and one" situation)

You have to admit that on a couple wide open layups it was funny to hear that guy with his red hair and beard scream "And One."   

If we're talking about the same guy......I think he has a future as a Dale Earnhardt Jr. look alike. 

Is this the same guy with the headband and high-socks?

That's the guy.  Last year in the tournament game against Albion, he nearly got a technical and had to be restrained by some of his teammates.  The guy is just really into supporting his team, he's always the first one off the bench to give high fives - and is actually one of the captains of the team.  Kind of like having one of the DewCrew be part of the team.

I can understand how a ref would give the guy a tech.  He was amazing.  We were speculating the high socks were to keep himself warm. 

I don't know about a record but it sure looks weird.

....and Tniem yes I was talking about that guy!

What the heck -

Let's see if Pat's system has any limit on quoting quotes!