MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[hoopdreams]

Hope hasn't fared too well with all-time leading scorers as of late, in Class A through D, so they'll be on the lookout for more transfers.  I know Harper from Haven is free and it looks like Redford at Xavier will be looking for a new home. Where's alex legion these days? Seriously though, there are rumblings near the shore of a Zeeland East reunion in the making.  This from someone "close" to the kids who made "the run" last spring.  take it for what it's worth, probably nothing.  More transfer stuff will be floating now that AAU is underway. 

Spoke with several HS coaches in lansing about MIAA recruits and their responses were very enlightening.  Will elaborate when I have more time.  In short, the pipeline for MIAA options is a lot wider than even 2 years ago.  Parody in the making

[wolverinekeith]

Ann Arbor Huron beat Saginaw Arthur Hills, making K-Central an even bigger favorite.

Huron v Southfield

K-Central v Detroit Denby in the A Semi's.

Denby eliminated the defending champs Detroit Pershing last week, that should be a good matchup.

I might have to make time to go to the A semi involving Ann Arbor Huron, one of the largest schools in the state. The River Rats are said to be a well balanced team that includes Jalen Bouma, a tough minded point guard apparently headed to Calvin this fall, who consistently scores about 10 per game. Beating a perennial power like Saginaw Arthur Hill--led by Maurice Jones, one of the state's top players--says something good about Huron's talent level.

I really like what I'm hearing about Bouma and Tyler Kruis and their performances in the high school tournament. If both end up at Calvin next year, as rumored, they will be the foundation for another very strong recruiting class. Recruiting seems to have picked up the last couple years.

Facilities, facilities, facilities.

Anyone have a full list of the Calvin recruits?  I scanned the last 8-10 pages and see Bouma, Kruis & Vallie.  Anyone I'm missing? 

Saw the final 2 Calvin games at VanNoord in the tourney this year and I have questions about who will be the Alpha Dog next year with Mantel & Veltema gone.  Role players are fine but they don't win too many titles or NCAA tourney games. 

[KnightSlappy]

Ann Arbor Huron beat Saginaw Arthur Hills, making K-Central an even bigger favorite.

Huron v Southfield

K-Central v Detroit Denby in the A Semi's.

Denby eliminated the defending champs Detroit Pershing last week, that should be a good matchup.

I might have to make time to go to the A semi involving Ann Arbor Huron, one of the largest schools in the state. The River Rats are said to be a well balanced team that includes Jalen Bouma, a tough minded point guard apparently headed to Calvin this fall, who consistently scores about 10 per game. Beating a perennial power like Saginaw Arthur Hill--led by Maurice Jones, one of the state's top players--says something good about Huron's talent level.

I really like what I'm hearing about Bouma and Tyler Kruis and their performances in the high school tournament. If both end up at Calvin next year, as rumored, they will be the foundation for another very strong recruiting class. Recruiting seems to have picked up the last couple years.

Facilities, facilities, facilities.

Anyone have a full list of the Calvin recruits?  I scanned the last 8-10 pages and see Bouma, Kruis & Vallie.  Anyone I'm missing? 

Saw the final 2 Calvin games at VanNoord in the tourney this year and I have questions about who will be the Alpha Dog next year with Mantel & Veltema gone.  Role players are fine but they don't win too many titles or NCAA tourney games. 

Neither did Veltema and Mantel (only one). 

[goodknight]

Calvin grad Mike Phelps done at Holland Christian:

http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/03/holland_christian_is_making_a.html

Mick the Quick would look good as an assistant coach at Calvin. 

[goodknight]

Anyone have a full list of the Calvin recruits?  I scanned the last 8-10 pages and see Bouma, Kruis & Vallie.  Anyone I'm missing? 

Bouma and Kruis are confirmed, as is Jacob Greene from Rockford.  Vallie is unconfirmed, but "probably" headed to Calvin, per Stephen Bell. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Gotta love the final lines from Andy Glockner's si.com story:

"...the best college basketball coach in the land will be in action at the Final Four.  And, yes, Mike Krzyzewski will be there, too."

I fear MSU will be unable to overcome Butler's virtual home court advantage, but there have already been at least three games I thought they had lost.

"Spartan Basketball - keeping cardiologists in business since ..."

And I'm a Wolverine!   Go Izzo, Go Spartans.

[wolverinekeith]

Anyone have a full list of the Calvin recruits?  I scanned the last 8-10 pages and see Bouma, Kruis & Vallie.  Anyone I'm missing? 

Bouma and Kruis are confirmed, as is Jacob Greene from Rockford.  Vallie is unconfirmed, but "probably" headed to Calvin, per Stephen Bell. 

Thank you! 

I used to keep up on MI HS bball a lot, but moved to Chicago a few years ago and don't have a real firm grasp on it anymore.  Of those guys, who is considered the best?  Vallie?  Are any of these kids huge recruiting grabs?

Kruis is a big kid.  I like to see that. 

[oldknight]

Anyone have a full list of the Calvin recruits?  I scanned the last 8-10 pages and see Bouma, Kruis & Vallie.  Anyone I'm missing?  

Bouma and Kruis are confirmed, as is Jacob Greene from Rockford.  Vallie is unconfirmed, but "probably" headed to Calvin, per Stephen Bell.  

Thank you!  

I used to keep up on MI HS bball a lot, but moved to Chicago a few years ago and don't have a real firm grasp on it anymore.  Of those guys, who is considered the best?  Vallie?  Are any of these kids huge recruiting grabs?

Kruis is a big kid.  I like to see that.  

I have seen Jalen Bouma and Tyler Kruis play but not Jacob Greene. I saw Bouma play last weekend at the Breslin and while he didn't shoot particularly well he did manage to score a combined 17 points in the semis and finals in 41 minutes of PT. What impressed me most was his ability to handle the ball in traffic against quick, pressing Class A defenses that emphasize ball pressure. He led his team with 8 assists in the two games and would have had at least 2 more in the semifinal if his teammates hadn't blown rather easy inside shots. At the same time Jalen only made one turnover and demonstrated he's really tough to double. If he comes to Calvin as is expected, he will offer a level of quickness to the Calvin backcourt not seen in a very long time.

Kruis is a 6'8" post with good footwork and a very nice touch on the ball. He needs some work in the weight room and I wouldn't expect him to make major contributions as a freshmen but he clearly has the potential to be a first team MIAA player at some point in his college career. Oh, and did I mention that he's 6'8"?  A good pickup for the Knights.

Greene didn't put up spectacular numbers at Rockford this year but he had mono most of the year which inhibited his ability to contribute. At 6'4" he is considered a rebounding machine when healthy and if he's good enough to start for Dan Majerle's brother at one of the largest schools in Michigan he must be pretty athletic. I'm told he's a Keith Wurn type of player.

I haven't seen Mitchel Vallie either but my sources tell me he's a well respected and athletic 6'5" player from the east side of the state. Steve Bell wrote this about Vallie on his Bankhoops website before the season began:

Vallie is a misnomer, because his game rarely dips. He's always around the ball, makes winning plays on both ends. Strong driver. A lot of energy and toughness.

Here's a Youtube that displays Vallie's talents:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTvZqGDVie4

Calvin is also still in the hunt for the services of 6'2" wing, Jordan Brink of Illiana Christian. Apparently he is one of the finest hoopsters ever at that school. Three people I know have seen him play and report Brink is a phenomenal shooter with a quick release and plenty of range. He averaged 28 per game with a career high 46. I understand Jordan was injured for virtually his entire junior season so he may be one of those players who fell through the cracks with scholarship schools. Here's a link to a Youtube of Brink's game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59uWUlSNiRA

[sac]

I've been trying to think who Jalen Bouma reminded me of, and finally figured tonight that its Michael Bailey from the 05-06 Albion teams.  Very similar athletic abilities.

[GoKnights68]

Calvin grad Mike Phelps done at Holland Christian:

http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/03/holland_christian_is_making_a.html

Being forced to step down after winning your conference.  .....Something has got to be going on there that the administration isn't telling the media.  From the few comments on the bottom of the article, people are suggesting financial reasons.  I, for once, agree with Jane Bos on this one...big big mistake.

[Knight81]

Kruis, Vallie, Greene, Bouma, and Brink would be a fantastic recruiting class for Calvin, if they all come. Kruis would give them a center, Bouma is a quick point guard, Vallie and Greene give them some toughness and rebounding inside, and Brink is a wing who can score. A talented and complete class, if KVS can make it happen.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Saw the final 2 Calvin games at VanNoord in the tourney this year and I have questions about who will be the Alpha Dog next year with Mantel & Veltema gone. 

Mantel and Veltema were great, talented players for 4 yrs at Calvin but I don't think that either embodied the "Alpha Dog" mentality.  No knock on them, probably just not in their personalities.  I think that the team needs someone to step up and be that visible vocal leader and I'm not sure who that would be.  I can see Trent Salo having the fire to do it in his senior year but you also want that player to be a go-to offensive option with the game on the line and Salo has a hard time creating for himself.  I'd like to see Danny Rodts take that leap in his senior year--I'm very impressed with his game on both ends of the floor and his decision making and the team could use his leadership next year if he chooses to embrace that role.

Thanks to everyone posting about the incoming Calvin recruiting class. It seems like a solid incoming class for the Knights.  Would love to see some more info from around the MIAA if it's available.

[wolverinekeith]

Saw the final 2 Calvin games at VanNoord in the tourney this year and I have questions about who will be the Alpha Dog next year with Mantel & Veltema gone. 

Mantel and Veltema were great, talented players for 4 yrs at Calvin but I don't think that either embodied the "Alpha Dog" mentality.  No knock on them, probably just not in their personalities.  I think that the team needs someone to step up and be that visible vocal leader and I'm not sure who that would be.  I can see Trent Salo having the fire to do it in his senior year but you also want that player to be a go-to offensive option with the game on the line and Salo has a hard time creating for himself.  I'd like to see Danny Rodts take that leap in his senior year--I'm very impressed with his game on both ends of the floor and his decision making and the team could use his leadership next year if he chooses to embrace that role.

Thanks to everyone posting about the incoming Calvin recruiting class. It seems like a solid incoming class for the Knights.  Would love to see some more info from around the MIAA if it's available.

Yeah, any info on Hope?  I always figure they're expecting a D1 transfer or two, plus a couple springy 6'5" kids from schools I've never heard of.   

[sac]

Saw the final 2 Calvin games at VanNoord in the tourney this year and I have questions about who will be the Alpha Dog next year with Mantel & Veltema gone. 

Mantel and Veltema were great, talented players for 4 yrs at Calvin but I don't think that either embodied the "Alpha Dog" mentality.  No knock on them, probably just not in their personalities.  I think that the team needs someone to step up and be that visible vocal leader and I'm not sure who that would be.  I can see Trent Salo having the fire to do it in his senior year but you also want that player to be a go-to offensive option with the game on the line and Salo has a hard time creating for himself.  I'd like to see Danny Rodts take that leap in his senior year--I'm very impressed with his game on both ends of the floor and his decision making and the team could use his leadership next year if he chooses to embrace that role.

Thanks to everyone posting about the incoming Calvin recruiting class. It seems like a solid incoming class for the Knights.  Would love to see some more info from around the MIAA if it's available.

Yeah, any info on Hope?  I always figure they're expecting a D1 transfer or two, plus a couple springy 6'5" kids from schools I've never heard of.   

Usually later in April

[ziggy]

Yeah, any info on Hope?  I always figure they're expecting a D1 transfer or two, plus a couple springy 6'5" kids from schools I've never heard of.   

Usually later in April

It is still early, putting together a group GVW can underachieve with takes time.