MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

What do you mean the technical was on me?

See, its just not quite.............I can't seem to place who 'Cal/Vinny' reminds me of.

[Titan Q]

Just bringing this up as I think it is easier to put perspective on it here late in the season...

The dreaded number of in-region, non-conference games topic!  (Cue ominous music.)

Hope is now 8-4 in-region (8-3 MIAA, 0-1 non-conf), or a .667 in-region winning %.  If the Flying Dutchmen win out in the MIAA, then go 2-1 in the conference tournament, they will be 13-5 (.722).

Here is a list of the Pool C teams from last year:

(in-region records)

Amherst (NESCAC), 23-2 (.920)
Centre (SCAC), 20-2 (.909)
Mass-Dartmouth (LEC), 25-3 (.893)
Gettysburg (CC), 20-3 (.870)
Wooster (NCAC), 16-3 (.842)
Brandeis (UAA), 19-4 (.826)
Capital (OAC), 22-5 (.815)
Buena Vista (IIAC), 17-4 (.809)
Va. Wesleyan (ODAC), 21-5 (.808)
Worcester Poly (NEWMAC), 20-5 (.800)
Rochester (UAA), 19-5 (.792)
Bowdoin (NESCAC), 21-6 (.777)
Occidental (SCIAC), 14-4 (.777)
UW-Stevens Point (WIAC), 20-6 (.769)
Wash U (UAA), 16-5 (.762)
Middlebury (NESCAC), 18-6 (.750)
Wheaton (CCIW), 15-7 (.682)

(There is one more Pool C this year - 18 total.)

At .722, Hope would be on the Pool C bubble at best this year.  But add in 3-0 in the non-conference (say, wins over North Park, Aurora, and Benedictine) and Hope would be 16-5 (.762).  4-0 would be 17-5 (.772).  A little non-conference, in-region equity goes a long way.

Not here to criticize Hope's schedule or question why it is constructed as it is...just pointing out the reality of how the game works, for what it's worth.

[sac]

Just win your games and don't worry about it is also a reality, thats mostly how the game works.

Scheduling more in-region games doesn't guaruntee more victories.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Just win your games and don't worry about it is also a reality, thats mostly how the game works.

Scheduling more in-region games doesn't guaruntee more victories.

I think the only thing it would guarantee would be less harassment   

[Titan Q]

Just win your games and don't worry about it is also a reality, thats mostly how the game works.

It definitely is, Scott.  But sometimes in a league with another outstanding program, along with all your typical tough road games (as in any league), you just don't always win all your games.  It's nice to have a chance to make the tournament during those years too.

I know this is not a Hope powerhouse, but you never know what happens when you make the field.

[calvin66]

Thougts on Hope-Calvin.
1.  Watched on TV.  WGVU needs to improve the picture.  I guess they were using WZZM cameras.  Both games of Hope-Calvin had a lousy picture.  Come on guys.  The little scoreboard and time piece in the corner was awful, too.  

2.  Neither team impressed that much.  Lots of missed shots.  Mantel needs to forget that fade-away.  He's 6 ft.9 in.  Towers over everyone and fades away.  He could get 25-30 every night.

3.  What was the "Michael Phelps" chant when Caleb is shooting free throws?  Who was it?  Was it a compliment or a derogatory remark?  

4.  No national threat by either team this year.  Hopefully, they can get one win in the tournament, but I doubt it.

5.  Hope used Bunn correctly.  He had a height advantage over Smith and used it down low.  

6.  Caleb saved Calvin.  If they play a third time, it could go either way.  It has happened before.  The team that wins two during the season, loses in the conference tournament.  

[almcguirejr]

Zoerhof's block on what I thought was a certain 2 points for Reimink was a great athletic play by Zoerhof.  Hope was down 1 with just over 4 minutes to play.  If Reimink scores that would have been 13-2 run by Hope from about the 8 minute mark down to 4 minutes to go.  That block reminded me of this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spi-4_6Ugdg

[almcguirejr]

A shocker from Holland Christian H.S.  Willie Snead, football coach, leaving to go to Muskegon Heights H.S.  Willie IV already enrolled at MHHS.   I will provide more details soon.

Snead was at HCHS for 1 year went 14-0 and won a state championship.

[calvin66]

Rumor that HCHS staff were ready to resign because of Sneed's lack of communication.  HC will miss Westendorp more that they miss Sneed. 

[KnightSlappy]

Zoerhof's block on what I thought was a certain 2 points for Reimink was a great athletic play by Zoerhof.  Hope was down 1 with just over 4 minutes to play.  If Reimink scores that would have been 13-2 run by Hope from about the 8 minute mark down to 4 minutes to go.  That block reminded me of this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spi-4_6Ugdg

Funny, I receieved a text message after that play that read "I didn't know Tay wore #24.  Nice block!"

[oldknight]

MLive has an article about last night's game with a dandy slide show that highlights the action. It also demonstrates the physical nature of the game. Here's the link:

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2009/02/veltemas_lastsecond_layup_lift.html

Among the photos of interest are one of Veltema chasing down Bowser from behind moments before the already discussed hard foul, and another of Katt's call of the critical timeout as he was falling to the floor with 15 seconds left. It was a terrific play by the former football player from Wisconsin that gave the Knights their opportunity to win. But the picture that captured my attention the most was one at the very top showing Reimink and Katt, seemingly duking it out with one another for position on a rebound. Basketball has long been a physical game, and I know I'm getting old, but I just can't get used to these wrestling matches under the basket. I must compliment these young men who played the game so hard last night, yet they didn't resort to fisticuffs, nor did I detect much in the way of cheap shots being taken. It's amazing to me that we almost never see basketball combatants at the D3 level actually square off and turn a hotly contested game into an ugly and embarrassing incident. Hats off to them all.

[GoKnights68]

2.  Neither team impressed that much.  Lots of missed shots.  Mantel needs to forget that fade-away.  He's 6 ft.9 in.  Towers over everyone and fades away.  He could get 25-30 every night.


4.  No national threat by either team this year.  Hopefully, they can get one win in the tournament, but I doubt it.

Mantel actually did a better job at going harder to the basket last night than he usually does imo.  Not as many fade-aways as usual.

Calvin or Hope could easily go to the sweet 16 if they play their A-game imo, but I guess we all have different opinions.  Calvin is 10-1 in league play, I wouldn't call it "doubtful" that they can't win one game in the tourney, if they make the tourney of course.

[Gregory Sager]

What's the updated numbers on the Calvin/Hope all-time series in terms of wins and points?

[GoKnights68]

What's the updated numbers on the Calvin/Hope all-time series in terms of wins and points?

Hope leads the series 86-85.  Hope is 88 points ahead of Calvin all time.  A seperation of about .52 points a game.

[Gregory Sager]

What's the updated numbers on the Calvin/Hope all-time series in terms of wins and points?

Hope leads the series 86-85.  Hope is 88 points ahead of Calvin all time.  A seperation of about .52 points a game.

Thanks!