MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Erm Schmigget]

I'm thinking that part of Calvin's problems may be associated with the fact that they have been without a home court--even for practice--since school opened in September. I understand the team began formal practices at the newly opened Huizenga Tennis and Track Center, but haven't been able to use that facility since November. Since then the Knights have had to practice at no less than two off-campus facilities. In addition, they haven't had a "home game" since the Tip-Off Tournament which was also off-campus. That kind of moving around isn't exactly helpful in building team consistency. Don't be too surprised if the opening of the new arena and the playing of some true home games coincides with a different--and more consistent team. Besides, Bosko has already proclaimed the Knights to be the certain league champs. 

An olde proverb states "home is where you hang your hat."



This notion that Calvin is not performing the way some would Hope due to the lack of a "home" gym is hard for me to buy.  Not too long ago, and for a long time, Hope travelled off-campus for the overwhelming majority of their practices and all games (except in the NCAA post-season).  I'm sure they are grateful for their shiny new on-campus facility, where they can practice, keep their gear, and host home games.  But the simple fact they no longer have to do these things off-campus did not contribute SO significantly to their success as some would like to believe it will to Calvin's.

Hope did for 50 years hold practices and games at a facility outside of walking distance from the campus (especially in Lakeshore winter weather).

Hope had to carry in and take home their practice gear and other belongings throughout those decades, just as Calvin has to now.

Hope at times had to hold practice at no less than 3 different facilities...in one week.  (Civic Center, Dow Center, Holland Christian's gym)

Yes, Calvin may fare better once they are able to move in to their new digs.  But their current woes stem from far more than their simple need to drive to practice and carry duffel bags.  They need to buck up and play basketball.

[realist]

OK;  I wish I could conjure up your optimism about the Knights.  Just listening to the last 4 games does not inspire great or even considerable hope.  Opposing teams seem to be very able to anticipate what Calvin is going to do at almost every point in almost every game.  I don't mind losing to better teams like Wheaton, or even a super hot team like Carthage, but tell me you were impressed with the Trinty or the last AQ game.  I don't buy your point about the fieldhouse not being available.  It was availalbe last year, and those weren't great results. 
ES:  Thanks for the support.  If the lack of training facility is so upsetting to a talented team, with established coaches, it can only point to players lack of motivation.  I don't subscribe to the "miracle cure" dream that everything will magically become fantastic in the new fieldhouse.  Is Olivet going to be a major factor in the MIAA this year just becaus they got a new fieldhouse?
Hope has been building all fall.  Calvin has struggled to stay even with where they started.   The similarity to last year is not encouraging.
FDF:  Perhaps I should have said, IMHO for Hope not to finish at the top of the MIAA will be due to either injures or the team and coaches self destructing.   Dreaming of Hope self destructing are about as worthwhile as dreaming of Calvin .................................. 

[Erm Schmigget]

realist-  always glad to support you when the topic is the failing of the Knights.      (I hope that's enough emoticons to imply that I'm just kidding.)

The Knights have an impressive roster at a glance.  If the pieces do fall into place eventually, they have the potential to be a scary-good team.  Did anyone really expect Hope to come out in third out of hundreds of teams last year.  Not me.  But they worked their butts off, took care of business, and finished well ahead of many people's expectations.  A season like that is wating in the wings for Calvin, if they can work out whatever it is that has got them dowon the last couple of seasons.

[wiz]

realist-  always glad to support you when the topic is the failing of the Knights.      (I hope that's enough emoticons to imply that I'm just kidding.)

The Knights have an impressive roster at a glance.  If the pieces do fall into place eventually, they have the potential to be a scary-good team.  Did anyone really expect Hope to come out in third out of hundreds of teams last year.  Not me.  But they worked their butts off, took care of business, and finished well ahead of many people's expectations.  A season like that is wating in the wings for Calvin, if they can work out whatever it is that has got them dowon the last couple of seasons.

I agree with these comments.  It will be nice to finally have a home court again and it may appear to some that it makes a huge difference because I expect Calvin to improve about the time they start league play.  But, games in the new arena will also seem like away games for a while as the Knights get used to the new surroundings and begin to feel at home at the VanNoord.

The chemistry for Calvin has been out of sinc all year and I personally think the seniors need to play more.  Starting 3 players with no varsity experience probably screwed things up quite a bit.  I won't second guess the coach, but if this current lineup doesn't get it done soon, I'd switch to experienced and seasoned players to make a tournament run.  Calvin only has Caleb for the rest of this season and to be paired with a big man is essential to go any place.  That is the one, two punch that will need to continue and they need to be surrounded by experience.  Smith, Zoerhof, Katt, and Veltema all need more playing time.  The others can "earn" the right as the season goes on.

There is plenty of talent with the players and the coaches and I expect it to come around soon.  That said, however, I did note the Defiance/Kazoo score a week ago and also know where Calvin plays next.  Could be another learning experience and then it is time to put all the excuses behind.

Just to be clear, I still pick Calvin to win the league.

[wiz]

I've watched MIAA basketball for many years and don't think I've ever seen a stat like this at this point in the season.  Hope is the only team with a winning record and yet they trail their opponents in points scored.  Weird.

[calvin66]

Looks like the weakest MIAA in years.  Maybe, a chance for another team to break the Hope-Calvin domination. 

[northb]

realist-  always glad to support you when the topic is the failing of the Knights.      (I hope that's enough emoticons to imply that I'm just kidding.)

The Knights have an impressive roster at a glance.  If the pieces do fall into place eventually, they have the potential to be a scary-good team.  Did anyone really expect Hope to come out in third out of hundreds of teams last year.  Not me.  But they worked their butts off, took care of business, and finished well ahead of many people's expectations.  A season like that is wating in the wings for Calvin, if they can work out whatever it is that has got them dowon the last couple of seasons.

I agree with these comments.  It will be nice to finally have a home court again and it may appear to some that it makes a huge difference because I expect Calvin to improve about the time they start league play.  But, games in the new arena will also seem like away games for a while as the Knights get used to the new surroundings and begin to feel at home at the VanNoord.

The chemistry for Calvin has been out of sinc all year and I personally think the seniors need to play more.  Starting 3 players with no varsity experience probably screwed things up quite a bit.  I won't second guess the coach, but if this current lineup doesn't get it done soon, I'd switch to experienced and seasoned players to make a tournament run.  Calvin only has Caleb for the rest of this season and to be paired with a big man is essential to go any place.  That is the one, two punch that will need to continue and they need to be surrounded by experience.  Smith, Zoerhof, Katt, and Veltema all need more playing time.  The others can "earn" the right as the season goes on.

There is plenty of talent with the players and the coaches and I expect it to come around soon.  That said, however, I did note the Defiance/Kazoo score a week ago and also know where Calvin plays next.  Could be another learning experience and then it is time to put all the excuses behind.

Just to be clear, I still pick Calvin to win the league.

I am not sure how 2 more games is going to help the talent "come around soon."  I would love it if it did, though.  That said, with a weak league, they may still win--it should still be a fight.  It will be helpful to have a couple of the easier teams to start with, unless they make the mistake of looking past them.

[wiz]

 I am not sure how 2 more games is going to help the talent "come around soon."  [/quote]

I think they are tinkering with things now and would not be surprised to see a 7 - 8  man rotation by the second or third game of league play with  minutes less evenly spread than they are now.

[northb]

I am not sure how 2 more games is going to help the talent "come around soon." 

I think they are tinkering with things now and would not be surprised to see a 7 - 8  man rotation by the second or third game of league play with  minutes less evenly spread than they are now.
[/quote]

Any insight into why this has taken so long? 

[realist]

Wiz:  WADR  (with all due respect)  Why would you give a guy who neither impresses with his scoring or rebounding more time?  Granted Mr. Katt is a very nice young man, and KVS is big on building character in his players.   However, Mr Katt is so nice he never fouls out so it can't be for his defensive prowess.  Perhaps if the focus was a bit less on building character, and more on winning it would yield more fruit.
Also you should have your rotation set well before the conference games start.  Waiting to do it 2 or 3 games into the conference schedule does not inspire confidence in a coaches decision making ability.  
Yesterday I said I rate Hope above Calvin, and part of that is the very fact GVW has a good idea what his rotation is going to be, and is doing some final tweaking.  KVS for some reason has not.  The only decision I can see that KVS has made is to stick with his offensive, defensive, and subsituting plans whether they are going to work or not.
A team that is 3-5 has not "earned" the right to look past anyone.  Trine or Alma included !

[northb]

Looks like the weakest MIAA in years.  Maybe, a chance for another team to break the Hope-Calvin domination. 

Welcome to the board C66.  This may be a weak year overall, but there is no need to speak such heresy.     Break the Hope-Calvin Domination indeed!

 

[oldknight]

Wiz:  WADR  (with all due respect)  Why would you give a guy who neither impresses with his scoring or rebounding more time?  Granted Mr. Katt is a very nice yourng man, and KVS is big on building character in his players.   However, Mr Katt is so nice he never fouls out so it can't be for his defensive prowess.  

WADR: It's pretty tough to foul out when you're averaging 13 minutes a game. He does average one foul every 7.5 minutes which is higher than most players on Calvin's team.

Also you should have your rotation set well before the conference games start.  Waiting to do it 2 or 3 games into the conference schedule does not inspire confidence in a coaches decision making ability.  
Yesterday I said I rate Hope above Calvin, and part of that is the very fact GVW has a good idea what his rotation is going to be, and is doing some final tweaking.  KVS for some reason has not.  included !

I'm not so sure GVW is as confident as you are that he "has a good idea what his rotation is going to be, and is doing some final tweaking." It was just last week Glenn shook up his back-court by installing a freshmen at the point and moving Bunn to the 2 guard spot. Neither player was even on Hope's roster last year. I do think Krombeen has the basic skills to be a solid MIAA guard but we still don't know how consistent his play will be over the course of the conference season. In addition to a brand new back court, Hope also is dealing with the loss of Sharples and Snikkers, so I think more than "some final tweaking" is what's on GVW's mind right now.

[northb]

Wiz:  WADR  (with all due respect)  Why would you give a guy who neither impresses with his scoring or rebounding more time?  Granted Mr. Katt is a very nice yourng man, and KVS is big on building character in his players.   However, Mr Katt is so nice he never fouls out so it can't be for his defensive prowess.  

WADR: It's pretty tough to foul out when you're averaging 13 minutes a game. He does average one foul every 7.5 minutes which is higher than most players on Calvin's team.

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.--Benjamin Disraeli

[wiz]

A team that is 3-5 has not "earned" the right to look past anyone.  

realist (sic),
I read the post again as was happy to find this one glimmer of truth.

Merry Christmas to all!

[realist]

Thanks NB  My point exactly if Mr Katt were more productive he might play more, and might be missed if his minutes were played by anyone else.
My thinking is most MIAA (and CU, AQ, and probably Grace Bible) coaches salivate when they see Mr Katt on the floor, as he won't kill you with  rebounding,  defense, and definitely not scoring.

OK:  The point I was trying to make is  IMHO GVW is much closer to having a final rotation set than KVS who hasn't had to deal with flu, and S & S. Except off course for that pesky "no gym on campus" excuse.