MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

+1 Rule Brittania, I owe you another +1 for working "supersweet" into that post.

[fire3rain3]

Friday, Dec 4
Carthage over Calvin
Wheaton over Hope
Saturday, Dec 5
Wheaton over Calvin
Carthage over Hope

I think this will prove to be a difficult tournament for the MIAA, but let's hope I am pleasantly surprised. 

I would also like to acknowledge the Knights' Men's Soccer Team who plays against Dominican University, (IL) this Friday night at 8:30 in the Final Four in San Antonio.

For those that are interested a link to the game with live video broadcast, play-by-play and commentary can be found on Calvin's website:
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/news/comments/calvin-mens-soccer-team-arrives-in-san-antonio-for-ncaa-iii-final-four/

[Titan Q]

Friday, Dec 4
Carthage over Calvin
Wheaton over Hope
Saturday, Dec 5
Wheaton over Calvin
Carthage over Hope

I think this will prove to be a difficult tournament for the MIAA, but let's hope I am pleasantly surprised.  

I would also like to acknowledge the Knights' Men's Soccer Team who plays against Dominican University, (IL) this Friday night at 8:30 in the Final Four in San Antonio.

For those that are interested a link to the game with live video broadcast, play-by-play and commentary can be found on Calvin's website:
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/news/comments/calvin-mens-soccer-team-arrives-in-san-antonio-for-ncaa-iii-final-four/

I think you'll find that Wheaton's #6 ranking is way out of whack.  They were way too high, in my opinion, in the preseason poll...then a bunch of teams in front of them lost in the first two weeks, pushing the Thunder up to #6.  I watched them beat Chicago last night on video stream and, while they play solid defense, I think they have significant offensive holes, and very little depth.  If I had to put money on Wheaton winning 2, 1, or zero games this weekend, I think I'd actually go with zero.  (If the games were at Wheaton, I'd probably pick them to win 2.)

As far as I can see, Carthage is legit at #17.  6-3 point-guard Steve Djurickovic might be the best player in Division III - the % of his team's offense he accounts for (either by scoring or via assist) is amazing.  Carthage finally has some nice size in the starting lineup around Djurickovic, but all 3 frontcourt players are freshmen.  The Red Men are probably still vulnerable to teams with stud low-post players (like Whitewater, their only loss so far...by 1 point), but I don't think Calvin and Hope present those kind of problems, right?  I think Carthage will go 1-1.  Those freshmen will probably look like freshmen quite a bit this weekend.      

[Gregory Sager]

Friday, Dec 4
Carthage over Calvin
Wheaton over Hope
Saturday, Dec 5
Wheaton over Calvin
Carthage over Hope

I think this will prove to be a difficult tournament for the MIAA, but let's hope I am pleasantly surprised.  

I would also like to acknowledge the Knights' Men's Soccer Team who plays against Dominican University, (IL) this Friday night at 8:30 in the Final Four in San Antonio.

For those that are interested a link to the game with live video broadcast, play-by-play and commentary can be found on Calvin's website:
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/news/comments/calvin-mens-soccer-team-arrives-in-san-antonio-for-ncaa-iii-final-four/

I think you'll find that Wheaton's #6 ranking is way out of whack.  They were way too high, in my opinion, in the preseason poll...then a bunch of teams in front of them lost in the first two weeks, pushing the Thunder up to #6.  I watched them beat Chicago last night on video stream and, while they play solid defense, I think they have significant offensive holes, and very little depth.  If I had to put money on Wheaton winning 2, 1, or zero games this weekend, I think I'd actually go with zero.  (If the games were at Wheaton, I'd probably pick them to win 2.)

As far as I can see, Carthage is legit at #17.  6-3 point-guard Steve Djurickovic might be the best player in Division III - the % of his team's offense he accounts for (either by scoring or via assist) is amazing.  Carthage finally has some nice size in the starting lineup around Djurickovic, but all 3 frontcourt players are freshmen. 

Don't forget Djurickovic's backcourt mate, 6'3 sophomore Max Cary. He's really coming into his own this year -- a 16.3 ppg average, a 2:1 assists/turnover ratio -- which is outstanding for a shooting guard -- and .580/.370/.800 shooting numbers.

I echo Bob's thoughts about Wheaton, except that since it appears that both Hope and Calvin are still in the midst of finding themselves, I think that their games against Wheaton are tossups. I kinda feel the same way about Carthage -- the Red Men are deeper and more talented than Wheaton, but much, much less experienced.

[Titan Q]

The great thing about the MIAA/CCIW games this year is that I honestly think all 4 are "pick 'ems" going in.  I don't think there is much overall separation between Calvin, Carthage, Hope, and Wheaton.

[RuleBritannia]

I know a lot of people think the league is going to beat itself up this year, but I'm going to take a dissenting view. I think there's going to prove to be a pretty sharp division between Albion, Calvin, Hope, and the rest of the league and I see a similar situation to what happened in 2007-2008. I think Hope is the class of the league, I think they will lose once, maybe twice. I think Albion is a step behind, but I see them as the second best team with 2-3 losses, and then I think you'll see Calvin end up with 4-5 losses. Then I don't think you'll see a team with a better than .500 league record with Olivet being the best of the rest, followed closely by Trine and Adrian, and then Alma and Kalamazoo struggling to gain much traction.

Then again, that's just my opinion from what I've seen, an injury or two could change everything, and it wouldn't be the MIAA without an inexplicable weird game somewhere. Haha, but that's why basketball, specifically MIAA basketball, is so great, and it's why you play the game. 

Now I'm going to go in a hole and study for finals. 

[Civic Minded]

Just a quick note to say "thank you" to RuleBritannia for taking the time to post here.  Welcome, and here's to many more!   

[oldknight]

As far as I can see, Carthage is legit at #17.  6-3 point-guard Steve Djurickovic might be the best player in Division III - the % of his team's offense he accounts for (either by scoring or via assist) is amazing.  Carthage finally has some nice size in the starting lineup around Djurickovic, but all 3 frontcourt players are freshmen.  The Red Men are probably still vulnerable to teams with stud low-post players (like Whitewater, their only loss so far...by 1 point), but I don't think Calvin and Hope present those kind of problems, right?  I think Carthage will go 1-1.  Those freshmen will probably look like freshmen quite a bit this weekend.      

Well stated by TQ. Djurickovic is an amazing player. I can't remember the last D3 hoopster I've seen who creates the kinds of mismatches he does.  At 6'3" and with a slight frame, Djurickovic is an unlikely star who puts incredible pressure on opposing defenses by combining outstanding quickness, stamina, excellent ball handling skills, an ability to finish close to the basket and unselfishness. Without shooting at lot of treys, he's impossible to guard with one player but will usually find an open teammate when help comes. He gets fouled often and is deadly from the stripe, this year going 54-59 in 6 games. In last year's game against Calvin at Wheaton, Steve went 14-14 from the line. Simply put, his game will give any opposing coach a slivovitz hangover. However, given Friday night's opponent, it's more likely to be a Genever (not Genevan) nightmare.

Based on what I saw in last year's game, I concur that Carthage may be vulnerable to good post play. At King Arena last December, Mantel was more than the Red Men could handle, especially in the second half when John scored 15, grabbed 8 boards, and blocked 2 shots. It would be nice to see him duplicate that feat at VanAndel.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I think you'll find that Wheaton's #6 ranking is way out of whack. 

That sentiment was shared by someone close to the Wheaton team on Tuesday night at the Hope - Trinity Christian game in Palos Heights.

And I have to admit, I'm more excited about the games this weekend, than I have ever been for the MIAA/CCIW challenge.  4 closely matched teams makes for good basketball.  Here's HOPEing that is true

[sac]

RuleBritania had me thinking..........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgd9nYqVz2s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYl2SNIJU3k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUTeRGigUjU&feature=related

no basketball today, sorry for the culture.

[hope1]

i think  calvin  will  have a different   line up     i heard that tom snikkers will be starting friday  night 

[Gregory Sager]

Djurickovic is an amazing player. I can't remember the last D3 hoopster I've seen who creates the kinds of mismatches he does.  At 6'3" and with a slight frame, Djurickovic is an unlikely star who puts incredible pressure on opposing defenses by combining outstanding quickness, stamina, excellent ball handling skills, an ability to finish close to the basket and unselfishness.

He also has uncanny court savvy and a high basketball IQ, two things that you'd expect from a kid who has two parents who've been successful college head coaches. I don't think I've seen more than two or three D3 players in all my thirty years of watching games at this level who were as good at coaxing a shooting foul call out of a ref by using body English as Steve Djurickovic.

He's not that slight anymore, either. He's no muscleman, but he's put a bit of meat on what had been a pretty slender frame as an underclassman.

Simply put, his game will give any opposing coach a slivovitz hangover. However, given Friday night's opponent, it's more likely to be a Genever (not Genevan) nightmare.

Steve's half Serbian-American and half Swedish-American, so pick your poison: slivovitz or akvavit.

[sac]

2nd annual MIAA/WHAC challenge is played this weekend.

Alma, Olivet vs Madonna, UM-Dearborn

Friday
Alma 0-4 vs UM Dearborn 2-7
Olivet 0-3 vs Madonna 1-7

flip opponents for Saturday

Last year they split the games with Olivet winning both of its matchups

[Mr. Ypsi]

2nd annual MIAA/WHAC challenge is played this weekend.

Alma, Olivet vs Madonna, UM-Dearborn

Friday
Alma 0-4 vs UM Dearborn 2-7
Olivet 0-3 vs Madonna 1-7

flip opponents for Saturday

Last year they split the games with Olivet winning both of its matchups

YIKES!  The four teams combine for a 3-21 record!

The "challenge" might be in keeping fans awake!   (Assuming there are any. )

[Titan Q]

My parents go to a lot of Trinity Christian games...they live 15 minutes away.  I think my dad told me Will Bruinsma has a younger brother who is a good player (high school senior).

http://athletics.trnty.edu/Roster/bb20.html

http://athletics.trnty.edu/MBasketball/Statistics.html


How good is the younger Bruinsma?

Did Hope and Calvin recruit Will?  He has become a stud.