MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[realist]

KS:  Like you I think it would be nice if Calvin had better home court stats.  It is always more fun watching a game when you know your team can get, and protect a comfortable lead.  Such has not been the case for the Knights, and this may be Calvin's problem or some of it could be a tribute to other teams adjusting defense.  As was noted last week when Caleb was scoring the rest of the guys went to sleep, and intensity/focus is not a new issue for KVS teams.  
RB:  To bad you won't be able to make it to the game Wed.  Knowing Albion they will show up, and give Calvin their best shot.  If Calvin comes out lethargic/unfocused few of us doubt they (Brits) can give the Knights more than they can handle.  

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I know everyone hated this when I brought it up last time, but I am bringin' it back.  It appears that Calvin is continuing the mysterious home shooting woes.

Through 6 home games: Calvin 0.383  Opponent 0.382
Through 6 home games: Calvin 0.490 Opponent 0.396

Calvin's home high FG%: 0.439 vs. Kzoo  (only 2 games above .400)
Calvin's road low FG%:  0.455 at Trine  (all 6 games above 0.450 and 3 games 0.500 or above)

Calvin has been out-shot 4 times at home but only 1 time on the road.

I was wondering about the shooting woes of teams in the Van Noord last Wednesday during the JV game.  What made we wonder about it was the shooting display put on by the Hope JV team and in particular Gustav Nystrom (who scored 39 points, and was something like 7-10 from 3).  This good shooting despite what I had read here about the difficulty teams have had shooting at Van Noord.  Now I realize this was only one game, but there is a very big difference between the JV games and the Varsity games at Van Noord - the lighting.  

Not only is the lighting different between JV and Varsity, but the change in lighting only occurs once the game starts, so the players warm up under one set of conditions and play under another.  This, in my mind anyway, plays a huge part in teams struggling to shoot the ball well.  

It seems just absurd to subject the teams to that.  And last Wednesday it was even worse, as during the warm-ups they set the lights up like they would be during the game (presumably for the TV cameras to calibrate) and then turned them back down.  Then when the game started, they turned them back up again.  So the players got to warm up under ever changing lighting conditions.  I seriously doubt that this would ever be of any real advantage to the home team, but would seem to almost level the playing field a bit if anything.  

This one is a real head shaker for me.    

[Pat Coleman]

In any new gym it takes a while for homecourt advantage for shooters and such to really develop. Calvin hasn't had a whole lot of time to shoot in this building, remember.

[realist]

In any new gym it takes a while for homecourt advantage for shooters and such to really develop. Calvin hasn't had a whole lot of time to shoot in this building, remember.

Good point Pat.  One of these games Calvin's offense is going to click, and some team is going to wonder what hit them.  I thought it might happen last Wed., perhaps this Wed. or during the MIAA tournament.    

[northb]

I know everyone hated this when I brought it up last time, but I am bringin' it back.  It appears that Calvin is continuing the mysterious home shooting woes.

Through 6 home games: Calvin 0.383  Opponent 0.382
Through 6 home games: Calvin 0.490 Opponent 0.396

Calvin's home high FG%: 0.439 vs. Kzoo  (only 2 games above .400)
Calvin's road low FG%:  0.455 at Trine  (all 6 games above 0.450 and 3 games 0.500 or above)

Calvin has been out-shot 4 times at home but only 1 time on the road.

I was wondering about the shooting woes of teams in the Van Noord last Wednesday during the JV game.  What made we wonder about it was the shooting display put on by the Hope JV team and in particular Gustav Nystrom (who scored 39 points, and was something like 7-10 from 3).  This good shooting despite what I had read here about the difficulty teams have had shooting at Van Noord.  Now I realize this was only one game, but there is a very big difference between the JV games and the Varsity games at Van Noord - the lighting.  

Not only is the lighting different between JV and Varsity, but the change in lighting only occurs once the game starts, so the players warm up under one set of conditions and play under another.  This, in my mind anyway, plays a huge part in teams struggling to shoot the ball well.  

It seems just absurd to subject the teams to that.  And last Wednesday it was even worse, as during the warm-ups they set the lights up like they would be during the game (presumably for the TV cameras to calibrate) and then turned them back down.  Then when the game started, they turned them back up again.  So the players got to warm up under ever changing lighting conditions.  I seriously doubt that this would ever be of any real advantage to the home team, but would seem to almost level the playing field a bit if anything.  

This one is a real head shaker for me.    

Right, it gives no advantage until you get used to it, then it is a great advantage over everyone else that is not used to it.  I wonder if they practice with the lights changed?

[GoVols]

Concerning fights and cheap shots.  I admire Tom Crean at Indiana.  After looking at the film he suspended Dumes indefinitely.  Good way to handle it.  I don't think Dumes will try anything anymore.  Concerning Calvin-Hope fights.  It wasn't a big one, but the tangle at mid court at the Civic Center in Holland in 2002 or 2003.  Jeremy Veenstra, Rob Holleman, Phil Visser involved with Hope players.  One hope player ejected for throwning a punch. 

Methinks that was Charlie Kleinheksel who dove into a pile at midcourt, I believe with fists (or hands) raised and he got T'd up for that indescretion, no?

[wiz]

I wouldn't get too concerned about Calvin's shooting percentage.  They are only going too get better in the new arena, not worse.  What should be of concern to opposing teams is that Calvin is on a roll and they have gained their confidence.  After a shaky start to the season and continuing to play through injuries, this team has won 13 of their last 14 games.  They find ways to do it.  There are only 3 other teams in the top 25 that can make such a claim: St. Thomas, Puget Sound, and John Carroll.  Not bad company.  KVS is known to build his teams up toward tournament time and it looks like he's doing it again.

[Dutch_Man]

I think Alma is a more dangerous team than Kalamazoo.

This line here shows just how crazy the ol' MIAA really is this year!

[HopeConvert]

Still no Top 25 votes for Calvin. When was the last time the MIAA regular season champ received no votes?

[KnightSlappy]

I think the Brits have a good chance of knocking off Calvin if they can get a handle on John Mantel and keep him from dominating inside. If they can force Calvin outside, Albion usually does a good job of not allowing too many open jumpers outside, and as has been noted, apparently Calvin struggles shooting at home.

The only guys that have been able to control John have been wearing zebra stripes.  If John picks up early fouls and has to sit, Calvin can have trouble getting things going.  I haven't seen any player or team stop John yet this year.

[Civic Minded]

I think the Brits have a good chance of knocking off Calvin if they can get a handle on John Mantel and keep him from dominating inside. If they can force Calvin outside, Albion usually does a good job of not allowing too many open jumpers outside, and as has been noted, apparently Calvin struggles shooting at home.

The only guys that have been able to control John have been wearing zebra stripes.  If John picks up early fouls and has to sit, Calvin can have trouble getting things going.  I haven't seen any player or team stop John yet this year.

With all due respect to Mantel, he's picked up a bad habit that I hope the refs will begin to recognize before someone gets hurt.  I've seen it in at least three games now (2 w/ Hope and 1 w/ Albion), and it's disturbing.  The move is a stiff-armed "clothesline" across the throat of the opposing player, and in no way seems "accidental."  But since all three times I've seen it he's gotten away with it, there certainly is no incentive for him to change it...yet.   

[oldknight]

Interesting quote from Carthage coach Bosko Djurickovic as reported by the school's press release:

Calvin is a really good team. They'll go home and win the MIAA—there's not much doubt about that.

Not if Calvin lets their opponents get 10 3-pointers in one half, Bosko.

That was one of Calvin's biggest problems last season, and I hope it won't be again this year.  Reimink will destroy Calvin if they play defense like they did with Carthage.

"Bosko" is Serbian for "Enjoy another slivovitz while I blow smoke up your tailpipe."  You could look it up.
As Bob suggests, it's best to take the cagey Carthage coach's words with a shaker of salt and a snifter of potent plum brandy.

Apparently that eastern European libation didn't adversely affect Bosko's judgment.

[goodknight]

With all due respect to Mantel, he's picked up a bad habit that I hope the refs will begin to recognize before someone gets hurt.  I've seen it in at least three games now (2 w/ Hope and 1 w/ Albion), and it's disturbing.  The move is a stiff-armed "clothesline" across the throat of the opposing player, and in no way seems "accidental."  But since all three times I've seen it he's gotten away with it, there certainly is no incentive for him to change it...yet.   

My, my.
She's back.
And with a vengeance.

[sac]

Still no Top 25 votes for Calvin. When was the last time the MIAA regular season champ received no votes?

2002 was the closest to the MIAA champ not receiving votes.  Hope(MIAA runner-up) received 31 poll points and finished #27 Calvin(MIAA Champion) received  13 poll points, for 34th in the poll.

The MIAA Champ and MIAA in general has received alot of respect in the final poll...

2000   Calvin #1
2001   Calvin #12
2002   Hope #27, Calvin #34  ----Calvin reg champ
2003   Hope #13, Albion #28 ----co champs
2004   Hope #24
2005   Calvin #2, Albion #5   ----Albion reg champ
2006   Hope #6, Calvin #14, Albion #23  ----Calvin reg champ
2007   Hope #5, Calvin #30  ----Hope reg champ
2008   Hope #3, Albion #32  ----Hope reg champ

6 Top 6 teams in 8 polls is pretty good.

[sac]

Concerning fights and cheap shots.  I admire Tom Crean at Indiana.  After looking at the film he suspended Dumes indefinitely.  Good way to handle it.  I don't think Dumes will try anything anymore.  Concerning Calvin-Hope fights.  It wasn't a big one, but the tangle at mid court at the Civic Center in Holland in 2002 or 2003.  Jeremy Veenstra, Rob Holleman, Phil Visser involved with Hope players.  One hope player ejected for throwning a punch. 

Methinks that was Charlie Kleinheksel who dove into a pile at midcourt, I believe with fists (or hands) raised and he got T'd up for that indescretion, no?

Boxscore say 'T',  I don't believe he was ejected.

http://miaa.org/mbb/stats/0102/0119HOCA.HTM