MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[oldknight]

In the for what it's worth category I think some of us need to be more concerned about our team winning its next game rather than whining about who got the tougher matchup or whether we want to see Calvin/Hope, take V.

Looking at Aurora's stats several things stand out. First, they shoot the three--a lot. They shot from beyond the arc 142 more times than did the Knights in the same number of games, and made a higher percentage than did Calvin, 40.7% to 37.8%. They also block a lot more shots than does Calvin--115 to 76--and they steal the ball more often, 247 to 198. Finally, they score a lot more too with a season average of 87 points vs. 75 for the Knights. From these stats I take it that Aurora plays uptempo and presses as well. That's consistent with my memory of their team of two years ago.

[MIdoubleA]

I was looking at U of C's schedule. Even though they have more Nobel Prize winners than Hope, I think Hope actually played a tougher basketball schedule.

More Heisman Trophy winners too.

But do they have 10+ quality players, any of whom could step up on any given night?  

I'm really excited to see the games this weekend. One thing they mentioned last night on Hoopsville was that Hope stumbled into the tourney with a Pool C bid and I couldn't agree more. However, I'm thinking the dutchmen are due for a hot streak. I almost feel bad for any team that catches Hope on a night when they are firing on all cylinders.

Here's to almost feeling bad!  

[keith45]

Does anyone know if Aurora still has the multi-purpose gymnastics type floor?

AU got a new WOOD floor this past season.

[AndersDY]

I wish I had time to see everything since 10pm last night, but just had to scan a little. Nice call by Sac a few pages back perfectly picking the four team grouping, though he then hedged that a little bit by re-thinking that perhaps we could finally get Calvin and Hope some distance apart on the bracket.

Lake Erie has themselves a bye and the WIAC has one team in the tournament. This is the sort of fair world in which Paris Hilton has a billion dollars. What might the Vegas line be for a game between Lake Erie and either LaX or Oshkosh on a neutral floor?

What an idiot I am to have planned to be out of town the next two weekends. It'd be nice if there is some Hope basketball of either gender to be watched on that third weekend, but sadly I've probably seen my last game for the year. It really would be fun to be part of an MIAA invasion into Illinois this weekend.

[NW Hope Fan]

Looking at Aurora's stats several things stand out. First, they shoot the three--a lot. They shot from beyond the arc 142 more times than did the Knights in the same number of games, and made a higher percentage than did Calvin, 40.7% to 37.8%. They also block a lot more shots than does Calvin--115 to 76--and they steal the ball more often, 247 to 198. Finally, they score a lot more too with a season average of 87 points vs. 75 for the Knights. From these stats I take it that Aurora plays uptempo and presses as well. That's consistent with my memory of their team of two years ago.

But of course we all know that Calvin has much better coached team, especially this time of the year!!!   

[northb]

Aurora's spring break begins this weekend. 

Good news for those wanting tickets.

I just realized I will be on a plane to Germany during the first round games:( and so I won't even know a Hope-Calvin V occurred until the game is already over! Although I will miss the weekend I think this is the best thing for my psyche that and visiting the Hofbrauhaus.

Don't they have the internet over there? 

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Aurora's spring break begins this weekend. 

Good news for those wanting tickets.

I just realized I will be on a plane to Germany during the first round games:( and so I won't even know a Hope-Calvin V occurred until the game is already over! Although I will miss the weekend I think this is the best thing for my psyche that and visiting the Hofbrauhaus.

Don't they have the internet over there? 

Of course they do and of course I will go out of my way to check the scores but I think I may be safe and just wait til Sunday to check once the first two rounds are over. I think I'll go less crazy that way.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Aurora's spring break begins this weekend. 

Good news for those wanting tickets.

I just realized I will be on a plane to Germany during the first round games:( and so I won't even know a Hope-Calvin V occurred until the game is already over! Although I will miss the weekend I think this is the best thing for my psyche that and visiting the Hofbrauhaus.

Don't they have the internet over there? 

Of course they do and of course I will go out of my way to check the scores but I think I may be safe and just wait til Sunday to check once the first two rounds are over. I think I'll go less crazy that way.

What a chicken   

I fondly remember being in Germany, and being up from 2am till 4am to listen to a Hope/Calvin game on the internet. 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

So why am I not able to vote on this new question?

[GoKnights68]

Does anyone know how an outoftowner can get tickets the games this weekend?  I live in St Louis and I'm considering making a trip up to Chicago to watch Calvin, but I don't want to go without a ticket.  I know last time Calvin played at Aurora, the outnumbered their fans almost 3 to 1.  If you have an suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

Maybe call ahead of time to Aurora and ask if they'll be tickets left if you show up an hour early? I'm sure there would be, although I guess it depends if they clear the gym or not.

[realist]

OK:  I looked at all those stats.  This is a very athletic team, and also very quick.  Those things lead to blocks, and steals.  That is why one of my keys is protecting the ball.  Two years ago Calvin slowed down the tempo, and Aurora got frustrated.  I expect this Friday we will see somewhat the same type of game plan.  Not sure how this new NAC conference is, but the old conference never struck me as being defensively oriented.  One thing for sure Calvin might not want to trade baskets with those guys.

[GoKnights68]

OK:  I looked at all those stats.  This is a very athletic team, and also very quick.  Those things lead to blocks, and steals.  That is why one of my keys is protecting the ball.  Two years ago Calvin slowed down the tempo, and Aurora got frustrated.  I expect this Friday we will see somewhat the same type of game plan.  Not sure how this new NAC conference is, but the old conference never struck me as being defensively oriented.  One thing for sure Calvin might not want to trade baskets with those guys.

I agree that slowing down the tempo would help, but I hope the guards protect the ball when they're up between the 3 point line and half-court.  Too many times last Saturday they turned it over as Hope just swiped it out of their hands.  Their passes could also be a little more crisper.  I still think driving to the basket and getting it down low to the post to Meckes and Mantell is a big key.

[realist]

gk68:  Definitely protect the ball.  Also agree push it inside at every opportunity.  Force Aurora to play defense.  Go after them inside, and hopefully get their big guns in foul trouble early.  On defense get back fast, and make them work for their shots. 
MIAA:  Always hard to play any team when they get a hot streak.  Guess that is where the coaching we hear so much about comes in.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Updated my spreadsheet with a little more info:

Offense	% 2pt	% 3pt	% FT
Hope	48.3	42.6	73.9
Chicago	46.7	39.8	74.3
Defense	% 2pt	% 3pt
Hope	39.9	30.9
Chicago	46.7	34.6
Rebounds	Team	Opp	Margin
Hope	37.2	33.0	4.2
Chicago	31.8	30.9	0.9
Scoring	Team	Opp	Margin
Hope	80.8	63.2	17.6
Chicago	76.1	67.3	8.8
3 point shooting	Attempts	Made	Made/game
Hope	570	243	9
Chicago	691	275	11
Blocks	Total	per game
Hope	101	3.74
Chicago	24	0.96
Steals	Total	per game
Hope	284	10.5
Chicago	142	5.7
Turnovers	Total	per game
Hope	391	14.5
Chicago	263	10.5
Assists	Total	per game
Hope	417	15.4
Chicago	371	14.8
Assist/Turnover
Hope	1.07
Chicago	1.41

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Looking at the stats FDF has compiled it looks as though Hope compares very favorably with Chicago. Of course in different leagues and competition it may not matter how the current stats break down.

I am wondering if anyone has looked at the Massey rankings. I just checked out the page and see that Chicago is #6 and Hope #26 but I have no idea how to use the Massey rankings to calculate the "projected" outcome of the game on a neutral floor. Can anyone check it out and post that to the board for both the Calvin and Hope games? Or tell me how to do the math so I can do it?

thanks