MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[KnightSlappy]

Albion Preview:

http://www2.albion.edu/sports/mens-sports/basketball/3340-coach-may-talks-about-upcoming-season

[KnightSlappy]

Ziggy and I have handed out some MIAA pre-season awards on our Michigan sports blog.

http://www.mittensportsreport.com/2009/11/msrs-pre-season-miaa-basketball-awards.html

we've also added power rankings

http://www.mittensportsreport.com/2009/11/miaa-preseason-power-rankings.html

[Galahad]

Men's Poll Results:
     1. Calvin 10 (4)
     1. Hope 10 (4) 
     3. Olivet 23
     4. Albion 24
     5. Adrian 32
     6. Trine 34
     7. Alma 45
     8. Kalamazoo 46

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Men's Poll Results:
     1. Calvin 10 (4)
     1. Hope 10 (4) 
     3. Olivet 23
     4. Albion 24
     5. Adrian 32
     6. Trine 34
     7. Alma 45
     8. Kalamazoo 46

WOW - 4 groups of 2 teams, all basically dead even.  If the coaches are right, this will make for some really interesting competition this year.

Since all the rosters are out, I'm working on updating my stat eval (this year vs last year).  Should have it posted soon

[sac]

Anyone remember the last time Co-Champions was voted by the coaches?

[Mr. Ypsi]

If Hope/Calvin were voted dead even for the title, does that mean this might be the year that any actually gives a hoot about a Hope v. Calvin game?

[Civic Minded]

If Hope/Calvin were voted dead even for the title, does that mean this might be the year that any actually gives a hoot about a Hope v. Calvin game?

Alright, I confess -- you made me chuckle.  +k for you! 

[Galahad]

Anyone remember the last time Co-Champions was voted by the coaches?

The Holland Sentinel called it "unprecedented".

The other question is: when was the last time Alma wasn't voted last? 

[realist]

FDF Glad to hear you are working on it.  Looking forward to seeing how it looks.  With all the new faces it will be interesting.
Hard to argue with the coaches.  I would have placed Adrian up with Olivet and Albion.  IMHO Adrian is the team that may actually play the biggest part in determining the final standings.  

[sac]

Anyone remember the last time Co-Champions was voted by the coaches?

The Holland Sentinel called it "unprecedented".

The other question is: when was the last time Alma wasn't voted last? 

I don't think it was that long ago, I seem to remember a year where the Kzoo contingent was upset they were picked 8th, also remember a Trine team getting that nod as well

We are only 4 seasons removed from Alma's outstanding recruiting class that played a large part in their 10-16, and 10-15 seasons in 06 and 05.  They finished tied for 5th in 06 and tied for 6th in 05.  I can't imagine the 06 team being picked last.

Alma finished last, 7 out of the 10 seasons of the 00's.  Combined MIAA record of 22-112 or .164

(also, did not finish last, last season)

[OC_SID]

2008-09 MIAA Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1 Calvin (5) 10
2 Hope (3) 11
3 Albion 20
4 OLIVET 29
5 Adrian 30
6 Trine, Ind. 32
7 Kalamazoo 45
8 Alma 47

2007-08 MIAA Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. Hope (5) 10   
2. Calvin (3) 11
3. Tri-State, Ind. 23
4. Albion 25
5. Adrian 26
6. Kalamazoo 38
7. OLIVET 42
8. Alma 49

2006-07 MIAA Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1 Calvin (4)  10
2 Hope (3)  11
3 Albion (1) 19
4 Tri-State, Ind. 28
5 OLIVET 34
6 Kalamazoo 38
7 Adrian 41
8 Alma 43

2005-06 MIAA Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. Hope (7) 7
2. Albion (1) 13
3. Calvin 19
4. Adrian 28
5. OLIVET 33
6. Alma 34
7. Tri-State, Ind. 42
8. Kalamazoo 48

2004-05 MIAA Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. Hope (7)  7
2.  Albion (1) 14
3. Calvin 21
4. Adrian  22
5. Tri-State, Ind. 32
6. OLIVET 37
7. Kalamazoo 43
8. Alma  48

2003-04 MIAA Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. Hope (4) 8
2. Albion (2) 11
3. Calvin (1) 14
4. OLIVET 21
5. Adrian 27
6. Kalamazoo 31
7. Alma 35

Here you go! All of the years that I have archived on our Web site or saved on my computer ... I might have my first year (2002-03) saved somewhere, just can't find it right now.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Here is the stat eval I completed (I had to guess a little on the Kalamazoo roster, since they haven't split JV and Varsity. I haven't included any FR in my Hornets calculations, not that it would have much impact other than to lower their Avg Age). 

Team	Returning	Avg Age	Varsity Min	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Minutes
Adrian	4	2.00	5332	42.5%	43.8%	52.5%	38.2%	39.8%
Albion	8	2.64	3724	38.1%	44.5%	52.4%	51.4%	45.3%
Alma	6	2.29	3779	63.9%	52.2%	45.6%	54.5%	61.9%
Calvin	8	2.50	4982	53.8%	44.7%	40.5%	43.9%	46.6%
Hope	8	2.40	5249	51.3%	49.8%	58.3%	50.4%	57.2%
Kalamazoo	10	2.90	3398	45.5%	50.8%	42.5%	40.8%	53.9%
Olivet	9	3.00	6262	67.5%	69.4%	77.9%	66.9%	74.4%
Trine	12	2.72	6576	85.6%	77.9%	88.9%	83.8%	82.4%

So a little explanation of the columns.  Average age uses the following scale

FR = 1
SO = 2
JR = 3
SR = 4

Varsity minutes is a total of college varsity minutes played (either in the MIAA, or a previous 4 year institution), and in my mind is a better indication of experience that my age calculation. 

The remaining calculations took the contribution of the returning players as a percentage of last years total team output.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Hope's season preview is up

http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/mbb/

[sac]

The local small college basketball scene kicked off last night with Aquinas beating IUSB 72-55

Aquinas plays Calvin and Olivet with a chance at meeting Hope.


......also, Indiana is down to playing NAIA II teams, they beat Grace last night 97-73, this was a 4 point game at halftime.  I watched the last 5 minutes of the 1st half........then I realized I was watching Grace and Indiana and turned it, but it was entertaining for a few minutes.

At least Grace was an elite 8 team a year ago in NAIA II...........but even in its darkest years (all of the last decade) I don't think Michigan ever strayed any lower than D2.

------------------------------------

unless you count Spring Arbor as local..........they kicked off last week and are 3-0, they'll play Hope, Olivet and Albion later.

[KnightSlappy]

Aquinas plays Calvin and Olivet with a chance at meeting Hope.

A 100% chance. They meet in the GR Sports HOF tourney first round.