MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[northb]

For me the hardest part of watching Hope get thrashed by Carthage was the lack of effort.  A few of the Dutchmen played hard (Reimink, Bosch, Krommbeen), but too many of them looked like deer in the headlights, and just plain got out worked.  It's been a long time since I've seen that from a Hope squad.  Some of the last guys off the bench played some of the best minutes for Hope in the 2nd half.  With the fluccuating line-ups it is clear that even the coaching staff is still trying to figure it out.  Seems like there are only a few guys who know what their role is with this team.  Until that get's figured out, it's going to continue to be a struggle.

OK- I was sitting right by the basket where Zoerhoff made the "spectacular" block.  While he did block the ball, there was a full on body slam included.  The foul call was completely appropriate - it was a hard foul, but not malicious.  The calls for an intentional foul by the fans were unfounded, but it was a hard foul.

It wasn't a spectacular dunk?

Best ever in Div 3!   

[Gregory Sager]

Panner did a good job on Caleb, but his numbers suffered as well. He led his league last year in 3's and was only 1-5 tonight.

... and last year that would've been fatal for Wheaton, since the Wheaties only had three starters (Raymond, Wiele, and Panner), plus Jahns off the bench, who proved halfway-competent with the ball in their hands.

This year, Jake Carwell is playing much better, and the two freshmen (McCreary and Pflederer) are scoring threats as well. Therefore, Panner can have an off-night because he's chasing Caleb Veldhouse all over the floor at the other end, and Wheaton can get away with it. And I have to say, Panner did a great job on Veldhouse. The Calvin star was completely invisible all night, and that was one of the key tipping points of the game.

[Gregory Sager]

Despite the fact that Calvin's offense struggled mightily the entire second half, I was encouraged by the fact that the Knights' defense played hard to the end. In fact, it kept Calvin in the game who never trailed by more than the final 12 point margin. To me, one play in the second half typified the game and demonstrated why Calvin wasn't going to win this one. With the score 48-44, a streaking and wide open Zoerhof was recipient of a nice feed along the baseline. I thought he was in a position to dunk it as he usually does but he chose to try and lay it in, only to miss. Wheaton immediately took the ball downcourt and just seconds later, Raymond quickly scored an easy transition jumper in the lane. An apparent 48-46 deficit had promptly become 50-44. Stuff like that happened several times.

Pete McBride and I had a running commentary going on how many layups were missed at both ends of the floor, especially in the second half. I think that the physicality of the game took some of the touch out of both the Calvin and Wheaton players. Sometimes the accumulation of hits you take during a game affects you even when you're going up for an uncontested bunny.

[Gregory Sager]

For me the hardest part of watching Hope get thrashed by Carthage was the lack of effort.  A few of the Dutchmen played hard (Reimink, Bosch, Krommbeen), but too many of them looked like deer in the headlights, and just plain got out worked.  It's been a long time since I've seen that from a Hope squad.  Some of the last guys off the bench played some of the best minutes for Hope in the 2nd half.  With the fluccuating line-ups it is clear that even the coaching staff is still trying to figure it out.  Seems like there are only a few guys who know what their role is with this team.  Until that get's figured out, it's going to continue to be a struggle.

OK- I was sitting right by the basket where Zoerhoff made the "spectacular" block.  While he did block the ball, there was a full on body slam included.  The foul call was completely appropriate - it was a hard foul, but not malicious.  The calls for an intentional foul by the fans were unfounded, but it was a hard foul.

That's how I saw it, too, FDF. Since I was sitting in the midst of a lot of Wheaton fans and I was wearing a North Park shirt -- and I hadn't paid the full $10 for a chairback ticket -- I didn't broadcast my opinion on that foul.

[sac]

Carthage 55 Calvin 43 at the half

[wolverinekeith]

Watching the video feed and listening to the Wheaton announcers.  They're whining a good bit about the physicality of Calvin's defense.  I've been whining for years about it, too.  As in, where it is?
Evidently, it's in the western suburbs tonight.

The Thunder student section was whining too. Even though their team shot 27 free thows to Calvin's 9, the sixth man in the Wheaton end zone was constantly complaining. In the second half Zoerhof made a spectacular block of Raymond from behind on a fast break, getting all ball, but just nicking Raymond on the way down and sending him sprawling right in front of the students. The student section became unglued, apparently thinking Calvin was on a mission to take cheap shots at their excellent guard. Get a life guys. Apparently the Wheaton students aren't the only ones in the world who think the home team should get every call.

Despite the fact that Calvin's offense struggled mightily the entire second half, I was encouraged by the fact that the Knights' defense played hard to the end. In fact, it kept Calvin in the game who never trailed by more than the final 12 point margin. To me, one play in the second half typified the game and demonstrated why Calvin wasn't going to win this one. With the score 48-44, a streaking and wide open Zoerhof was recipient of a nice feed along the baseline. I thought he was in a position to dunk it as he usually does but he chose to try and lay it in, only to miss. Wheaton immediately took the ball downcourt and just seconds later, Raymond quickly scored an easy transition jumper in the lane. An apparent 48-46 deficit had promptly become 50-44. Stuff like that happened several times.

Wheaton plays outstanding defense and with Raymond in the game, their transition offense is dynamite. I do think the Thunder's half-court offense needs some work though, and I don't think they have the depth of weaponry I observed from WashU when Calvin upset the Bears at Knollcrest last year (with a healthy Sean Wallis). If Calvin can bring back to Michigan the physical defense from the western suburbs  the Wheaton announcers saw, Calvin has a good shot at winning the conference this year. The Knights's do suffer though when Mantel leaves the game. I'm now noticing that Engelsma's ability to provide Calvin quality minutes off the bench is being sorely missed.

The be fair, it's the entire point of the student section to over-react to stuff like that.  They're playing their role in providing home court advantage.  Can't fault them for it. 

[sac]

Final

Carthage 95 Calvin 81  (I think)  Livestats quit updating for me and the calvin announcers just didn't think saying the final score was important.

[Hopester]

95-82 Final according to the D3Hoops scoreboard.

[sac]

Elsewhere

Chicago 38 Kzoo 33 Half
Spring Arbor 37 Albion 24 Half

[northb]

The league record is taking a beating this weekend

[sac]

Kzoo 71 Chicago 70
Spring Arbor 70 Albion 60

[Stinger]

Hornets do their job and keep Chicago winless.   71-70.  The Hornets were down 14 at one point in the first half but battle back with clutch shots.    Kirkwood led the Hornets with 14 pts, Clark and Jerome with 13 pts, and McCain came in with 12 points and 6 steals.  It's a great way to follow up an embarrassing loss to Bluffton.     I have to imagine that Coach McGrath and the Maroons thought this would be their first win after so many heart breakers.    

It's a great day to be a Hornet!

Beat Oberlin

[sac]

half at Wheaton

Wheaton 35 Hope 31

Hope's hanging in there, and actually led by 8 at 22-14, then were dusted for a few minutes.

[realist]

Stinger that is definitely good news.

[Dutch_Man]

Sac, Do you have another score up date of the Hope Wheaton game?