MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Knightmare]

Well, I didn't want to be negative before the game, but I hoped we might get out of this game with less than a 10 point loss! Doesn't look that way. I'm sure no one expected 12-3's for Calvin... Ouch! Here's hoping that the game is a bit tighter in Holland. Nice Game Calvin... GO HOPE!

Well at least you did get out with a less than 10 pt. loss courtesy of a Bunn scrambling layup at the final buzzer,  .  Very balanced game for Calvin.  A couple big 3's by the freshman Powell early in the 2nd half really sparked Calvin.

[ziggy]

3.5+ hours and counting.  28 folks have entered their picks, and the numbers are rather interesting

Team -- Picks

Trine -- 8
Adrian -- 20

Kalamazoo -- 0
Alma -- 28

Albion -- 10
Olivet -- 18

Hope -- 13
Calvin -- 15

Not sure if Alma has ever been a unanimous favorite by the pickers, or if Olivet has been picked over Albion by nearly 2/1.

Looks like it may be an interesting year for pick 'em, especially when it comes to confidence points.

[Knightmare]

Well, I didn't want to be negative before the game, but I hoped we might get out of this game with less than a 10 point loss! Doesn't look that way. I'm sure no one expected 12-3's for Calvin... Ouch! Here's hoping that the game is a bit tighter in Holland. Nice Game Calvin... GO HOPE!

Well at least you did get out with a less than 10 pt. loss courtesy of a Bunn scrambling layup at the final buzzer,  .  Very balanced game for Calvin.  A couple big 3's by the freshman Powell early in the 2nd half really sparked Calvin.

Actually, from the GVSU telecast and livestats it appears that Bunn's final bucket didn't count and it was in fact an 11 point game, hahaha.

[HopeConvert]

I think that is the best game I have seen Calvin play in the last 5 years. Kudos to them.

[Airballer]

Definitely a game of runs! I thought Hope had its chances especially when Mantel and Veltema were both out of the game for an extended amount of time.  Good to be able to watch this one online.  I wasn't impressed as everyone else is with Snikkers, although everyone has tough games.  Felt like he was forcing things and taking bad shots, but that comes with experience and nerves often get the better of you in a Hope/Calvin game.  
I also noticed with Bowser and his FT shooting, I don't know if its necessarily him falling off the line as much as it is him staring at the ground until a fraction of a second before he shoots it.  It's a Free Throw, why shoot it blind?
Both teams played well and can't be disappointed with their offensive efficiency.

[ziggy]

I think that is the best game I have seen Calvin play in the last 5 years. Kudos to them.

When the 3's were falling early I was afraid that the Knights would fall in love with the deep ball only to cool off and find themselves behind. Brian Powell's ability to snap the Knights out of a slight lull was the difference.

This game was an example of the battle of the boards being somewhat misleading. Despite Hope's 39-33 advantage, Calvin seemed to have the more impactful offense rebounds. Perhaps the hot 3 point shooting more than made up for any deficiencies but I don't feel like the rebounding difference had any affect on the game.

[AndersDY]

Oh my gosh, put a hand in his face. That run of Powell and Mantell 3's was the game. There were some other rebounding and turnover deficiencies for Hope, but that was where they let it get away.

I do have to say that I want to see that diving save for a bucket again on the highlights. Even when it's against you, it's fun to see something crazy like that. 

[HopeConvert]

Oh my gosh, put a hand in his face. That run of Powell and Mantell 3's was the game. There were some other rebounding and turnover deficiencies for Hope, but that was where they let it get away.

I do have to say that I want to see that diving save for a bucket again on the highlights. Even when it's against you, it's fun to see something crazy like that. 

Unfortunately the stupid shot clock was in my way.

Calvin played with a lot of intensity tonight and got some contributions from some unexpected sources. Hope had some success shifting to a zone until Powell hit his 3's.

Coming out of halftime, Hope's team lined up under the basket and just practiced layins for awhile. I guess I know one of the things they talked about at halftime.

Calvin just had a lot of runs in them tonight.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Great game for the Knights tonight.  The long distance shooting was unbelievable.  Powell's three 3's after Hope took the lead with 10 to go was huge.  

Coming in to the game, I felt that Hope's biggest advantage was at point guard.  Tonight's results:Krombeen/Jungling:  41 mins, 9 points, 2 turnovers.  Salo/Powell:  40 min, 17 points, ZERO turnovers.  Great hustle play in front of the Calvin bench when Salo dove for the ball in front of Krombeen and it went off of Krombeen's leg.  That set the tone as Calvin just wanted it more tonight.  

It appears that the holiday trip to the desert really helped this Calvin team come together and mature.  

Peter Bunn had a great game and is a great player, but I sure feel how much Hope misses Jesse Reimink as a leader on the floor.

I'm really pleased with how Brent Schuster has developed.  10 points (including 2-2 from downtown), 5 boards, 3 blocks, zero turnovers.  Great line from a backup center.  

OK, now for a little rant.  I understand that GVW is highly respected as a great coach and and good person too, that reputation runs deep, and I admit I don't know him personally, but does anyone else think that just from objectively observing him at a game he comes across as classless, whiny, and entitled?  The way he walks far onto the court and demeans the officials constantly and they just stand there and take it is a little much.  I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and believe he must be a classy guy since that's his reputation, but boy he sure doesn't show it publicly on the sidelines to those who don't know him personally.  

I hope someone can post a video clip of the Rodts save to Mantel for the bucket.  That was sweet.

We better be ready for the matchup at Hope later this month.  I think GVW will have his team playing better together by then, and we can't count on hitting 55% of our long balls.  

Thanks to the Hope students and supporters for representing your school well tonight as always, even though you're still on break.  Loud and classy, great job, your energy makes these games more fun.  

[realist]

Adrian 71, Trine 65
Kalamazoo 57, Alma 52
Albion 84, Olivet 71
Calvin 84, Hope 75

Very interesting night in the MIAA

[calvin_grad]

OK, now for a little rant.  I understand that GVW is highly respected as a great coach and and good person too, that reputation runs deep, and I admit I don't know him personally, but does anyone else think that just from objectively observing him at a game he comes across as classless, whiny, and entitled?  The way he walks far onto the court and demeans the officials constantly and they just stand there and take it is a little much.  I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and believe he must be a classy guy since that's his reputation, but boy he sure doesn't show it publicly on the sidelines to those who don't know him personally.  

Now you've done it....

[Knight In The Stan]

Was it a full house tonight?

[KnightSlappy]

Was it a full house tonight?

There was a little bit of elbow room, 4468 was the announced attendance. Noticeably fewer with around 3:00 to go.

[oldknight]

 I wasn't impressed as everyone else is with Snikkers, although everyone has tough games.  Felt like he was forcing things and taking bad shots, but that comes with experience and nerves often get the better of you in a Hope/Calvin game.  

I agree it was not Tom at his best. He got too casual with the ball for my taste making 3 tunrnovers and playing a bit too individually on occasion. But he still managed to score 10, grab 4 boards, and dish 3 assists in 23 minutes and those stats are far from terrible for a freshmen in a game of this importance.

Obviously Powell's threes were huge. Bryan has the qualities all clutch shooters seem to have--a short memory and a flair for the dramatic. He did the same thing to Ohio Northern in Arizona. In that game, after going 1-6 from behind the arc in the first half, Powell hit back-to-back triples in the final 5 minutes of regulation to help force an overtime which the Knights won.

A quick look at tonight's box left me very surprised to see Calvin was charged with making only 9 turnovers while Hope had 13. It just seemed Calvin struggled with Hope's press more than that. Maybe the Knights were being patient while I was simply being impatient because only 9 TO's is excellent.

Schuster is really becoming a factor on defense now. He started to assert himself in the paint in AZ and he had 3 blocked shots tonight.

Was it a full house tonight?

There were a few openings in the upper corners but it was a nice crowd. I do know that a few people gave up their tickets over weather concerns.

[CalKnight60]

Here's a URL for everyone to enjoy that ridiculous pass by Danny Rodts
Not exactly sure how to post a link so just copy ad paste it

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/sports/ncaa_basketball/Its-rivalry-night-in-West-Michigan