MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

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When Silverthorn airballed a shot in the first half, a surprising Calvin student section got energized, commenced the standard "air ball" chant every time Silverthorn touched the ball and--to my amazement--kept it up the entire game. The Knight student section acted much like the neighborhood dog that refuses to stop barking at anyone who dares walk past his owner's home. The student's peskiness was nice to see and seemed to affect Silverthorn who went 2-11. Where have these fans been all year? I hope they show up this weekend--and bring some friends.

It was interesting to see this develop. The student section started out as its normal, quiet self. But when Alma repeatedly held the ball for 20 seconds near the half court line, the students started grumbling, then complaining, then yelling "boring" at full voice. By the time Silverthorn airballed, they were primed and looking for something to yell about.

KVS made special mention of the students' contribution during his post game interview and encouraged participation going forward.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

It looked like Brad Schnyders went to school on that shot.  Last night he put up a free throw just like it.  He put it up way too hard but the ball just died when it caught the backboard and rim at the same time. The ball just fell into the net, one of the ugliest free throws ever

Maybe more than any other player on the team, Schnyders' value is determined by his ability to make free throws.  He does play good defense, but his primary game is his ability to get to the hoop and draw fouls.  If he can't hit the freebies, then his value diminishes significantly.  If he was Veltema-esqe at the line, he'd be a star.  The free throw on Wed may have looked ugly, but it was actually closer to the target than the one he banked home on Saturday.  Yet both somehow went in.

On another note, it's great to see Snikkers have a nice game on Wed.  I'd felt that his game regressed a bit throughout the season until then.  Late Feb and March is a great time to play your best ball so hopefully he can bring it again on Fri and hopefully Sat too if we can get past Olivet.

Is it possible that the Olivet game is more important to our NCAA chances than the potential game against Hope?  I'm thinking that a win over Olivet even if we lose to Hope does two things for the Knights:  another tally in the W column AND simply adding another matchup against Hope on the schedule improves strength of schedule metrics, giving us a better shot at an at-large bid.  Put another way, Calvin could go to the NCAA tourney win OR lose against Hope on Saturday.  But if we lose to Olivet on Friday, the chances are slim.  The same could probably be said for Hope.

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Is it possible that the Olivet game is more important to our NCAA chances than the potential game against Hope?  I'm thinking that a win over Olivet even if we lose to Hope does two things for the Knights:  another tally in the W column AND simply adding another matchup against Hope on the schedule improves strength of schedule metrics, giving us a better shot at an at-large bid.  Put another way, Calvin could go to the NCAA tourney win OR lose against Hope on Saturday.  But if we lose to Olivet on Friday, the chances are slim.  The same could probably be said for Hope.

Hope and Calvin have nearly identical quantifiables on their respective resumes. The two will be nearly perfectly interchangeable as pool C candidates if they both make the MIAA final.

[KnightSlappy]

Is it possible that the Olivet game is more important to our NCAA chances than the potential game against Hope?  I'm thinking that a win over Olivet even if we lose to Hope does two things for the Knights:  another tally in the W column AND simply adding another matchup against Hope on the schedule improves strength of schedule metrics, giving us a better shot at an at-large bid.  Put another way, Calvin could go to the NCAA tourney win OR lose against Hope on Saturday.  But if we lose to Olivet on Friday, the chances are slim.  The same could probably be said for Hope.

Hope and Calvin have nearly identical quantifiables on their respective resumes. The two will be nearly perfectly interchangeable as pool C candidates if they both make the MIAA final.

Hope does have the advantage of having another regional win against Wheaton, so they'll be 3-2 vs. regionally ranked teams should they lose to Calvin in the finals. Calvin would only be 1-3 in this category should they lose to Hope in the finals.

Both have a shot to get in at-large, but the MIAA's best shot at placing two teams in the tournament is for Calvin to win, and Hope to get in via Pool C.

I think three bids for the MIAA is out of the question.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Both have a shot to get in at-large, but the MIAA's best shot at placing two teams in the tournament is for Calvin to win, and Hope to get in via Pool C.

I think three bids for the MIAA is out of the question.

Completely agree - but I HOPE you won't hold it against me if I would prefer to see if Calvin can get a Pool C bid.

[realist]

Also, it seems to me like Schnyders and Snikkers are going to be very fun to watch the next few years, they two seem to make a good pair and look like two of the most purely athletic players Calvin has had since I've been following them.  

Snikkers is a Freshman and has three years left.  Schnyders is a junior and has only one year left.  With that said, however, Calvin will still be a very fun team to watch the next few years.

I am inclined to agree that Calvin will be fun to watch, but it is going to be very hard for them to prosper without a physical presence like Mantel inside.  From my perspective they will be much like this year's Hope team was up until the time Venema started getting serious pt, and making his presence felt.  Looking at the stats leaders one sees lots and lots of jr's listed so expect the MIAA overall to be more competitive next year.

[Intangir]

Also, it seems to me like Schnyders and Snikkers are going to be very fun to watch the next few years, they two seem to make a good pair and look like two of the most purely athletic players Calvin has had since I've been following them.  

Snikkers is a Freshman and has three years left.  Schnyders is a junior and has only one year left.  With that said, however, Calvin will still be a very fun team to watch the next few years.

I am inclined to agree that Calvin will be fun to watch, but it is going to be very hard for them to prosper without a physical presence like Mantel inside.  From my perspective they will be much like this year's Hope team was up until the time Venema started getting serious pt, and making his presence felt.  Looking at the stats leaders one sees lots and lots of jr's listed so expect the MIAA overall to be more competitive next year.

No doubt that will be a big loss for them, big shoes to fill there.  Maybe Shuster will put on 20-30lbs in the off-season?  Time to hit the gym!  Hm, at least Calvin has a passable gym now, I'm not sure either Mantel or Shuster would have been able to stand upright in the old one...

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Also, it seems to me like Schnyders and Snikkers are going to be very fun to watch the next few years, they two seem to make a good pair and look like two of the most purely athletic players Calvin has had since I've been following them.  

Snikkers is a Freshman and has three years left.  Schnyders is a junior and has only one year left.  With that said, however, Calvin will still be a very fun team to watch the next few years.

I am inclined to agree that Calvin will be fun to watch, but it is going to be very hard for them to prosper without a physical presence like Mantel inside.  From my perspective they will be much like this year's Hope team was up until the time Venema started getting serious pt, and making his presence felt.  Looking at the stats leaders one sees lots and lots of jr's listed so expect the MIAA overall to be more competitive next year.

No doubt that will be a big loss for them, big shoes to fill there.  Maybe Shuster will put on 20-30lbs in the off-season?  Time to hit the gym!  Hm, at least Calvin has a passable gym now, I'm not sure either Mantel or Shuster would have been able to stand upright in the old one...

Maybe with one of those mining hats with the headlamp.

[realist]

Intangir:  Considering the time off from b-ball that Schuster has had his performance this year has been a pleasant plus for Calvin.  Considering he is already a jr. I wouldn't expect to see much physical change.  Schuster is what he is, and provided Calvin can get a big body inside if he does next year what he has done so far this year it will be great. 

[Intangir]

Intangir:  Considering the time off from b-ball that Schuster has had his performance this year has been a pleasant plus for Calvin.  Considering he is already a jr. I wouldn't expect to see much physical change.  Schuster is what he is, and provided Calvin can get a big body inside if he does next year what he has done so far this year it will be great. 

Oh yeah, I know, mostly just joking    He's been great this year.

[wiz]

Both semi-final games will be included in video cast over the internet tommorrow night.  http://www.calvin.edu/sports/live/

[HopeConvert]

Last night's crowd at the DeVos was about the smallest one I can remember. Where was the Dew Crew?

Hope absolutely has to do a better job handling the ball. They turned into a turnover machine in the second half. It was frustrating to watch. At least get a shot off.

Speaking of which, Andy Venema has really progressed this year. If he can work hard on improving his defense, he'll be a force next year.

[sac]

First round MIAA tournament games at Hope have never really drawn well......just 1110 at the 2008 Hope/Alma game.

1113 last night.

[AndersDY]

I seem to recall in years past that I was always surprised at how poorly attended the first round conference tourney game was at Hope. It seems to get less of a turnout than even a ho-hum conference game against someone in the bottom half of the leage. Being a conference tournament game, is it not included for season ticket holders so they would have to go out of their way to attend that game on top of their regular season tickets?

[sac]

I doubt its part of the season ticket package.

1st round games at DeVos

06 vs Alma 1635
07 vs Alma 1850
08 vs Alma 1110
09 vs Alma 1710
10 vs Trine 1113