MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[calvin_grad]

Mascot beefs are usually not pretty.

I can attest to this fact as "Big Boy" repeatedly had his head knocked off during a halftime mascot basketball game played at Crisler Arena.

The Plymouth Whalers mascot had my all time favorite mascot moment when he finally decided to attempt a shot; not an easy thing to do with flippers. Imagine trying to shoot a basketball with your arms at your side and only able to move them from the elbow.

I was at that game and I can't remember the last time I had laughed so hard.  One of the funniest 3 to 4 minutes I witnessed live that I can remember.

[Knightmare]

Three years ago students at Hope College introduced a new mascot. Since then, "Dutch" has endeared him/herself to Hope fans at athletic contests and other college events.

Are we so PC these days that even a burly, bearded mascot has to be referred to with gender neutral language?

Mascot beefs are usually not pretty.

I can attest to this fact as "Big Boy" repeatedly had his/her head knocked off during a halftime mascot basketball game played at Crisler Arena.

The Plymouth Whalers mascot had my all time favorite mascot moment when he/she finally decided to attempt a shot; not an easy thing to do with flippers. Imagine trying to shoot a basketball with your arms at your side and only able to move them from the elbow.

I fixed your quote above.  

With the above information coming to light, it may be appropriate to conduct a gender verification test similar to that done on South African sprinter Caster Semenya.  If results comeback conclusively as "female", Dutch may want to enter the Olympic trials in some track events.  To have a shot though "she" would probably be best sticking to the sprints as longer distances may be painful on the feet with wooden running shoes.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Looks like Joust is a bit unsure about the gender debate (or is it species debate)

[Stinger]

Kalamazoo-Alma: These teams have a long way to go before either is a competitive MIAA team. But this result shocked me. Alma had at least competed with some people. Kalamazoo had not shown me anything resembling competitiveness until tonight. Could one of these teams surprise some people? I doubt it, but we'll see. As the end of last season showed, it's unwise to take lower lever MIAA teams lightly, because even the worst team can beat the best team if the best team doesn't put forth a good effort.

That's a little strong, Rule, no?  They've had opportunities to win 4 or 5 more games, including one against a good Chicago team in Hyde Park.  Yes they've been on the wrong end of a few blowouts, but let's not get too crazy here.

SAC, I'd be apt to take the under on that one! 

Joe Prepolec continues to get better and better. It's amazing he's only been playing since his Jr. year in High School.  I am looking forward to seeing him go up against Mantel.  Should be a battle.

[ziggy]

What happened to Hope's He/She cheerleading squad?  I didn't see them at the Calvin game.

Stayed home for the women's game? Still off on break?

[Stinger]

Oh yeah, I forgot this: I really, really, really, really, really dislike Hope.  

[ziggy]

Massey ratings are out for DIII basketball. Here's how the MOV-based ratings stack up for the MIAA:

1. Olivet (#77)
2. Hope (#78)
3. Albion (#97)
4. Calvin (#129)
5. Adrian (#152)
6. Trine (#248)
7. Alma (#293)
8. Kalamazoo (#346)

Updated to reflect the results of games played on 1/6/10:
1. Albion (#70)
2. Hope (#108)
3. Olivet (#110)
4. Calvin (#122)
5. Adrian (#159)
6. Trine (#245)
7. Kalamazoo (#324)
8. Alma (#327)

Incidentally, Massey ranks Grace Bible at #775 (out of 1511) in all of college basketball, this would be between Albion (#699) and Hope (#802). Other teams of note: Spring Arbor (#369), Grand Valley (#383), Cornerstone (#389), Aquinas (#538), Davenport (#622)

[Gregory Sager]

Oh yeah, I forgot this: I really, really, really, really, really dislike Hope. 

Would it cure your dislike if you punched a Hope fan in the nose?

Don't get me wrong, I strongly dislike Hope (I'd even consider the 'hate' word)

There have been some posters I'd like to punch in the nose, and once I was done, would be over it... but Hate?

(This post should in no way be construed as advocating violence towards opposing fans, Hope's or anyone else's. In the words of Bill and Ted, "Be excellent to each other.")

[Civic Minded]

What happened to Hope's He/She cheerleading squad?  I didn't see them at the Calvin game.

Stayed home for the women's game? Still off on break?

Still on break.

[goodknight]

In the words of Bill and Ted, "Be excellent to each other.")

Ah, Bill and Ted in their bodacious brilliance.  My favorite B&T exchange follows and seems appropriate, in-season or pre-season:

Bill: So-crates - "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing."
Ted: That's us, dude. 

[Gregory Sager]

My favorite Bill and Ted moment comes from the sequel, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, when the two obtuse titular heroes engage Death in a game of Battleship^TM in order to win their release from Hell. I remember howling with laughter in the theater when I saw it -- who in their right mind would've expected an Ingmar Bergman parody in the middle of a lowbrow teen farce? -- and the baffled looks I got from the other people in the theater.

[GoKnights68]

gk68  ".....but the regular season title is a very good accomplishment to have."
Yes, since having that gives one home court for the tournament.

Haha, true.  2008 Hope is the only MIAA team since 2003 to win the MIAA tournament on their own court.

[NW Hope Fan]

Oh yeah, I forgot this: I really, really, really, really, really dislike Hope.  

No way?

[NW Hope Fan]

Oh yeah, I forgot this: I really, really, really, really, really dislike Hope. 

Would it cure your dislike if you punched a Hope fan in the nose?

Don't get me wrong, I strongly dislike Hope (I'd even consider the 'hate' word)

There have been some posters I'd like to punch in the nose, and once I was done, would be over it... but Hate?

(This post should in no way be construed as advocating violence towards opposing fans, Hope's or anyone else's. In the words of Bill and Ted, "Be excellent to each other.")

Don't think it would help his deep seeded psychological issue...

[realist]

I have no more difficulty accepting the concept of a totally rational person dislikeing Hope College than accepting the concept of a totally rational person thinking the world revolves around Hope College.