MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[hoopdreams]

I was not at the game last night so I should not comment about "most experienced/Sr's" getting lost in crunch time.  I have however noticed in other games how often the underclassman have tried to take over during crunch time, sometimes performing, sometimes coming up short and forgetting/not utilizing their more experienced teammates.  Without looking back at the game stats saturday, I don't recall Mantel, Veltema and rodts doing much the last 3-4 minutes but they didn't take many shots either (could be wrong and I'm sure someone will correct me).  I recall Snikkers going to the hole repeatedly and powell going coast to coast-inexcusably.

After reading the recap of the Calvin-olivet game, and assuming how dominant MM was, I was surprised to see he took 27 shots, only making 12.  That hardly defines unstoppable which was implied.  I'm not sure how anyone can debate him being named MVP though, regardless of how Olivet finishes in the standings.  Let the debates continue!!!!

Did not make the trip to Alma but it looks like their ability to create open looks from the arc, and make a few, kept the game relatively close.  Spoke to a couple of fans in attendance and they both said that hope has added a few wrinkles to the O, or Alma was so bad defensively it looked like it.  " I think they are starting to take advantage of their athletic abilities" was relayed to me.  Seem to remember talking about that a couple weeks ago.  Maybe the coaches do read these boards!

The olivet game will be predicated of how well Evans starts.  If he opens the game with a couple 3's, he'll be in control of what happens-shoot or drive and dish.  If he's off, hope can focus a little bit more in the interior/midrange game of MM and jennings.  I don't see Hope's trap having much impact with evans on the floor. 

[hoopdreams]

Just did some quick research out of curiousity and i'm not sure if someone already pointed this out.  Veltema, rodts, and mantel took a combined 7 shots in the entire second half, whereas snikkers and powell took 13, with tommy taking 11.  As well as hope defended, i'm not sure this is how calvin wanted the game to finish out.  Hope decided that contested 2's (some uncontested) were better than open 3's.

[HopeConvert]

I was not at the game last night so I should not comment about "most experienced/Sr's" getting lost in crunch time.  I have however noticed in other games how often the underclassman have tried to take over during crunch time, sometimes performing, sometimes coming up short and forgetting/not utilizing their more experienced teammates.  Without looking back at the game stats saturday, I don't recall Mantel, Veltema and rodts doing much the last 3-4 minutes but they didn't take many shots either (could be wrong and I'm sure someone will correct me).  I recall Snikkers going to the hole repeatedly and powell going coast to coast-inexcusably.

After reading the recap of the Calvin-olivet game, and assuming how dominant MM was, I was surprised to see he took 27 shots, only making 12.  That hardly defines unstoppable which was implied.  I'm not sure how anyone can debate him being named MVP though, regardless of how Olivet finishes in the standings.  Let the debates continue!!!!

Did not make the trip to Alma but it looks like their ability to create open looks from the arc, and make a few, kept the game relatively close.  Spoke to a couple of fans in attendance and they both said that hope has added a few wrinkles to the O, or Alma was so bad defensively it looked like it.  " I think they are starting to take advantage of their athletic abilities" was relayed to me.  Seem to remember talking about that a couple weeks ago.  Maybe the coaches do read these boards!

The olivet game will be predicated of how well Evans starts.  If he opens the game with a couple 3's, he'll be in control of what happens-shoot or drive and dish.  If he's off, hope can focus a little bit more in the interior/midrange game of MM and jennings.  I don't see Hope's trap having much impact with evans on the floor. 

I think most Calvin fans will look at Rodts' attempt to take over at the end of the game on Saturday with some regret.

Clearly Veltema was the focal point of Hope's defense on Saturday. This may have explained why he missed the wide-open 3 with 3 minutes left. He wasn't used to not having a hand in his face.

[almcguirejr]

Just did some quick research out of curiousity and i'm not sure if someone already pointed this out.  Veltema, rodts, and mantel took a combined 7 shots in the entire second half, whereas snikkers and powell took 13, with tommy taking 11.  As well as hope defended, i'm not sure this is how calvin wanted the game to finish out.  Hope decided that contested 2's (some uncontested) were better than open 3's.

Rodts, Veltema, and Mantel combined for 7 shots in the second half again last night.  They had a combined 9 points the second half.  Mantel came out of the game with just under 8 minutes to go.  Veltema and Rodts 3-4 minutes later.

[ziggy]

After reading the recap of the Calvin-olivet game, and assuming how dominant MM was, I was surprised to see he took 27 shots, only making 12.  That hardly defines unstoppable which was implied.  I'm not sure how anyone can debate him being named MVP though, regardless of how Olivet finishes in the standings.  Let the debates continue!!!!

He was 4 of 16 at one point, then they started to fall.

[sac]

After reading the recap of the Calvin-olivet game, and assuming how dominant MM was, I was surprised to see he took 27 shots, only making 12.  That hardly defines unstoppable which was implied.  I'm not sure how anyone can debate him being named MVP though, regardless of how Olivet finishes in the standings.  Let the debates continue!!!!

Evans dominated the first half, and McClary the 2nd......this was pointed out earlier by someone.

[sac]

The Sentinel mentioned this was Hope's 30th straight win over Alma, its actually the 34th

Hope's website that lists the MIAA series records is missing the MIAA tournament matchups with Alma in 2000, 2003, 2007 and 2008

[ziggy]

Happy Birthday Knightslappy!

[realist]

Looking at the numbers from hoopdreams it confirms the point that the most experienced players are not stepping up at the critical point in the game.  I am not sure you can fault a fr. or so. for stepping up and shooting when more experienced players seem to abdicate.  Mantel, Veltema, and Rodts have all had games this year where they played like unstoppable world beaters, but they all lack consistancy.  Shutting down one or two I give credit to good defense.
Please do not get me wrong I am not finding fault with the players.  Neither Hope nor Olivet did anything different than any opposing coach should have anticipated they would do.  When you become predicatable you become very average, and very beatable.

[hoopdreams]

It's hard to define for me because I have only watched Calvin a handful of times and sometimes the stat lines don't explain in full what takes place during the course of 40 minutes.  SAC reminded me of this yesterday.

I do question the ability to "step up" when one does not have the chance to and that often boils down to touches or shots attempts, especially for a shooter-Veltema, wier, etc...  If Matt shoots 1-11 may one can say "he didn't step up".  Or maybe its just one of those nights.

Ultimately, it comes down to decision making, either by the coaching staff, the players, and most likely both.  Remember that powell and snikkers are the primary ball handlers when they are one the floor most of the time.  Are they making the right decisions?  Maybe Calvin is a bit predictable, but that can be said about all the offenses in the conference with the exception of Adrian.

With Matt, Jon, and Danny from a distance they seem like great kids.  Nice, respectful etc... I think Calvin may be experiencing a bit of what Hope went through earlier in the season when things got tough.  Who is the a-hole that's going to challenge their teammates?  who is going to say "we are NOT going to lose this game"?  Things have gotten a bit chippy in Hope's practices of late and I'm not sure the coaches are complaining.  they may be thinking....finally some fight.


Because I wasn't there to witness, I could be completely off base...

[almcguirejr]

KVS was on Hoopsville last night.  His interview starts at about the 17 minute mark.
The link is here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/4453346

D3Hoops, Joe Davis, discusses the Calvin - Hope rivalry prior to the KVS interview.
That starts at about the 9:35 mark.

[Knightmare]

Just did some quick research out of curiousity and i'm not sure if someone already pointed this out.  Veltema, rodts, and mantel took a combined 7 shots in the entire second half, whereas snikkers and powell took 13, with tommy taking 11.  As well as hope defended, i'm not sure this is how calvin wanted the game to finish out.  Hope decided that contested 2's (some uncontested) were better than open 3's.

Rodts, Veltema, and Mantel combined for 7 shots in the second half again last night.  They had a combined 9 points the second half.  Mantel came out of the game with just under 8 minutes to go.  Veltema and Rodts 3-4 minutes later.

At times situations like this can be attributed to the players playing style as well, though don't confuse that I'm saying definitively that is the cause.  For example, by and large both Mantel and Veltema are dependent on another player to get them the ball or "feed" them.  I don't think either will often be mistaken for a player that "creates" his own shot.  Mantel is often posted up on the block and Veltema is mostly a spot-up shooter.  On the other hand Snikkers is more times than not creating his shot own shot with the ball in his hands and beating his man off the dribble with a one on one move to the bucket.  Down the stretch of games when the intensity and defense are further elevated these types of players are often the ones that are getting the shots up.  Again this is may be just one of many various factors, but hopefully with continued seasoning and maturation Snikkers will be able to use his skills to help set-up easy opportunities for teammates as well (that isn't an implication that he is being selfish either, he's not, just needs more experience).

[sac]

Hope's defensive strategy is a no brainer for Saturday night............kneel and pray.

Olivet's Evans and McClary have gone for 43 and 44 points combined in their last wins over Albion and Calvin.  It might take a little more contact than praying but its a start.

[GoKnights68]

Tomorrow's Hope at Olivet match-up will obviously be a big factor in the conference standings, but I think it could be huge in the conference MVP race as well.  McClary is the clear MVP, imo, and I think if Olivet beats Hope tomorrow, then McClary would really have to stumble greatly to lose the MVP and another player would have to play out of his mind as well.  McClary would have a 3-1 record verses the top 2 teams in the league if Olivet wins tomorow.

If Hope wins tomorrow, I still put McClary as my clear favorite to win MVP.

[sac]

The Saturday lineup


Trine at Calvin, 3 p.m.---This could be a close one or blowout city for Calvin.  I've seen Calvin's last two games and they aren't really playing that well on either end of the floor.

Albion at Kalamazoo, 3 p.m. --Brits won by 9 the first time in what must seem like a season ago for them

Adrian at Alma, 3 p.m. -- Alma has kept all but one MIAA home game respectable, this should be another but Adrian should win

Hope at Olivet, 7:30 p.m. --Probably goes without saying this is big for both teams for different reasons.  Olivet won by 3, three weeks ago at DeVos.