MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[section7]

In a related story, tonight Holland MI dropped out of the top 5 happiest cities in the nation.

This just across the wires at the AP, Holland, MI, moves to the top spot of happiest cities in the nation.

Certain areas of Grand Rapids, listed just ahead of Flint and Detroit.

I'm sure the officials had something to do with Calvin not making the tourney.  

[calvin_grad]

I was hoping to save this for about 6 games or so  , but I guess it's official now.  Congratulations to the Calvin seniors Campbell, Veltema, and Mantel.  You handled yourself with nothing but class and dignity during your time at Calvin.  You will be sorely missed next year.  Blessings on all your future endeavors!!

Thank you!!

[sac]

There are fewer automatic bids in D-I, though, and more at-large bids. Also there are fewer teams in Division I overall.

........and the power conferences have a bigger influence on who gets in..........influence not being the right word, but its almost a tiered system.

[goodknight]

In a related story, tonight Holland MI dropped out of the top 5 happiest cities in the nation.

This just across the wires at the AP, Holland, MI, moves to the top spot of happiest cities in the nation.

Certain areas of Grand Rapids, listed just ahead of Flint and Detroit.

I'm sure the officials had something to do with Calvin not making the tourney.  

Classy.

[sac]

Looks like they traded Hope and Whitewater to keep Whitewater out of the Stevens Point bracket.

[ziggy]

To further beat the Hope/Calvin scheduling dead horse, did anyone else listen to Hoopsville and hear the Anderson coach accuse Hope, Calvin, Wash U, and Illinois Wesleyan of dodging his team? He apparently has two games to fill and can't find anyone to take him up on it.

[CalvinChelseaMom]

I was hoping to save this for about 6 games or so  , but I guess it's official now.  Congratulations to the Calvin seniors Campbell, Veltema, and Mantel.  You handled yourself with nothing but class and dignity during your time at Calvin.  You will be sorely missed next year.  Blessings on all your future endeavors!!

Thank you!!

Well, I'll indulge myself and take this opportunity to say that it has been an absolute joy to watch John and Matt play together over the last four years. They are men of integrity and leadership. And while they were playing incredible basketball and reaching the 1000 point mark, etc. they were doing an oustsandng job in their academic life, making the Dean's List and working toward their degrees. Sometimes we (even I) forget that it is a lot of juggling to do. And to the (sometimes) fan's dismay, athletics haven't always been the number one priority. I know Matt will soon be a teacher, and John has finished his Mechanical Engineering degree in four years and already has a job! These are great accomplishments. It was a thrilling final game and I was blessed to see John leave it all on the floor. It is heartbreaking to be over, but my inspiration a few minutes ago came from John's words on his facebook page where he gives nothing but thanks to God, his family, his girlfriend, his teammates and all those who have supported him over the years. To God be the glory both now and forevermore!

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Also there are fewer teams in Division I overall.

All the more reason to have a full 64 team field in D3.  

[BUBeaverFan]

To further beat the Hope/Calvin scheduling dead horse, did anyone else listen to Hoopsville and hear the Anderson coach accuse Hope, Calvin, Wash U, and Illinois Wesleyan of dodging his team? He apparently has two games to fill and can't find anyone to take him up on it.

Wash U did play in Anderson's Tip-Off tourney in 2008.  Wash U will be in rebuilding mode in 2010-11.

[ziggy]

I was hoping to save this for about 6 games or so  , but I guess it's official now.  Congratulations to the Calvin seniors Campbell, Veltema, and Mantel.  You handled yourself with nothing but class and dignity during your time at Calvin.  You will be sorely missed next year.  Blessings on all your future endeavors!!

Thank you!!

Well, I'll indulge myself and take this opportunity to say that it has been an absolute joy to watch John and Matt play together over the last four years. They are men of integrity and leadership. And while they were playing incredible basketball and reaching the 1000 point mark, etc. they were doing an oustsandng job in their academic life, making the Dean's List and working toward their degrees. Sometimes we (even I) forget that it is a lot of juggling to do. And to the (sometimes) fan's dismay, athletics haven't always been the number one priority. I know Matt will soon be a teacher, and John has finished his Mechanical Engineering degree in four years and already has a job! These are great accomplishments. It was a thrilling final game and I was blessed to see John leave it all on the floor. It is heartbreaking to be over, but my inspiration a few minutes ago came from John's words on his facebook page where he gives nothing but thanks to God, his family, his girlfriend, his teammates and all those who have supported him over the years. To God be the glory both now and forevermore!

One word: perspective.
Thank you.

[Titan Q]

I know this is never a popular point here, but I think it is relevant today.  If Calvin just had 2 or 3 more in-region wins, they'd be in. 

I know Hope and Calvin have very good institutional reasons for playing all of those NAIA games, but if getting in the tournament is important, it's pretty clear the non-conference scheduling really, really hurts.

I respect both programs immensely and not here to question...but I do think the non-conference schedule topic is something to consider on a day like this.

Good luck to Hope in the tournament, and best wishes to the Calvin seniors.

[goodknight]

To further beat the Hope/Calvin scheduling dead horse, did anyone else listen to Hoopsville and hear the Anderson coach accuse Hope, Calvin, Wash U, and Illinois Wesleyan of dodging his team? He apparently has two games to fill and can't find anyone to take him up on it.

It's 197.5 miles separating Anderson, IN, and Grand Rapids, MI.
Bring on Anderson!

[wiz]

Stevens Point - 430 miles.
Kenosha - 230 miles.

Would have preferred Carthage.

Pretty sure this is the furthest Hope's had to travel for a first round game......maybe Allegheny is about the same, that was way back in 1989

Hope ends up in the toughest quarter of the bracket, IMO. Point, Wash U, Carthage, and St. Thomas. The lower left bracket may have something to say about which is the toughest, however.

Does any of this really matter?  I'm pretty sure to get the banner, eventually you have to beat all these guys, or the guys that beat these guys.

Speaking from experience, I know for sure it has worked that way twice.

[sac]

To further beat the Hope/Calvin scheduling dead horse, did anyone else listen to Hoopsville and hear the Anderson coach accuse Hope, Calvin, Wash U, and Illinois Wesleyan of dodging his team? He apparently has two games to fill and can't find anyone to take him up on it.

It's 197.5 miles separating Anderson, IN, and Grand Rapids, MI.
Bring on Anderson!

Its 255 miles using the sensible way..........209 using shortest distance

[ziggy]

To further beat the Hope/Calvin scheduling dead horse, did anyone else listen to Hoopsville and hear the Anderson coach accuse Hope, Calvin, Wash U, and Illinois Wesleyan of dodging his team? He apparently has two games to fill and can't find anyone to take him up on it.

It's 197.5 miles separating Anderson, IN, and Grand Rapids, MI.
Bring on Anderson!

Same administrative region, would be an in-region game regardless of distance.