MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

In case you missed Fox17 Sports tonight, please check out the special video on their website:


http://www.fox17online.com/sports/


Hope may have announced this past week that a search is on for a new Men's Basketball Coach, but... they still have the #1 Team Manager in ALL of Basketball  - and he's staying with the team!!!

Thanks Robbie!

The direct link

http://www.fox17online.com/videobeta/78d91efc-4880-4740-9076-6be79706fc0a/Sports/HOPE-BBALL-MANAGER-VERT-gfx-PKG

[oldknight]

Last night Jason Terzis did a lengthy interview of GVW on his Channel 8 Sports Overtime segment. For you Hope fans who live outside the West Michigan viewing area (or if you simply missed it) the following link allows you to view the full interview.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/sports/ncaa_basketball/Glenn-Van-Wieren-retires

[hoopdreams]

I ran into 2 current Hope players and 1 former player Sunday when I was in Holland and spoke at length about the latest revelation.  The news did come as a complete shock to them, they had talked about it amongst themselves but were blindsided by the actual event.  They would love to have Coach Neil in charge but do not think that is how it will unfold.  The main reason they want Neil was "he would do things differently.  Everyone thinks it would be the same but he would run things way different".

This may come as a shock to many Hope loyalists, so you may want to look away.  This also is no reflection on Glenn Vanwieren as a human being.  The kids were miserable within the basketball setting.  They have/had great chemistry and really care for one another but they tired of the practices and the lack of production at practices.  "we stop every ten seconds, that is why we struggled so much for most of the season."  "We never got into a rhythm in practice and it didn't happen in games either".  They want more direction, more skill development, they want a strength training program, which they got away from.  They were frustated with being told one thing and having something else transpire.  They openly questioned players PT or lack there of.  Yes, I know athletes complaining is not unusual and the grass is always greener on the other side but I got the impression that these comments were well thought out (probably because everyone is asking them) not off the cuff.

[Knightmare]

Well with the flurry of signings at the higher levels of bball and the school year beginning to draw to a close we should probably start to see the "other shoe drop" on commitments at the MIAA level and also the NAIA's such as Cornerstone/Aquinas.

Definetly some interesting signings of high level DI players (McCallum and Zeigler) following their fathers to U of Detroit and CMU respectively.  If Olivet can pull in a couple contributing freshman they could be very tough next year for Calvin and Hope.

Please share any MIAA player signings/news for those of us not in southern MI area.

[realist]

Hoopdreams:  Thanks for sharing those comments.  To an "outsider" it always looked like the suits were pretty much in agreement, but that there were internal differences of opinion does not come as a shock. 
Just the way things have played out I just don't think Neil will get much consideration.  That is strictly a personal opinion.  He seems like a very nice, loyal guy, but all those years with GVW may be working against him.
I recall the first few years when KVS was at Calvin, and the comparisons with the BFC (beloved former coach) are inevitable.  Expect to hear it from the players, and expect to hear it from your fellow fans as well.   

[northb]

Hoopdreams:  Thanks for sharing those comments.  To an "outsider" it always looked like the suits were pretty much in agreement, but that there were internal differences of opinion does not come as a shock. 
Just the way things have played out I just don't think Neil will get much consideration.  That is strictly a personal opinion.  He seems like a very nice, loyal guy, but all those years with GVW may be working against him.
I recall the first few years when KVS was at Calvin, and the comparisons with the BFC (beloved former coach) are inevitable.  Expect to hear it from the players, and expect to hear it from your fellow fans as well.   

WWGVWHD?

[Bob MacKenzie]

I know (though none would be allowed to state it in this forum--and they may not even read this forum) there were many among the Hope faithful who were eager for a change a long time ago.  Probably quite similar to the aforementioned Calvin transition where many were ready/eager to see ED go and some resented KVS because of their attachment to the the beloved former coach who brought the Knights their first national title.

I think it was time.  Kind of like Bobby Bowden at FSU.  As long as they don't hire a Rich Rodriguez, I bet Hope will be better off soon.

[realist]

WWGVWHD  Exactly.    

[ChicagoHopeNut]

As long as they don't hire a Rich Rodriguez, I bet Hope will be better off soon.

We should not even Joke about such an event!!!!  [shivers in fear]

[sac]

Well with the flurry of signings at the higher levels of bball and the school year beginning to draw to a close we should probably start to see the "other shoe drop" on commitments at the MIAA level and also the NAIA's such as Cornerstone/Aquinas.

Definetly some interesting signings of high level DI players (McCallum and Zeigler) following their fathers to U of Detroit and CMU respectively.  If Olivet can pull in a couple contributing freshman they could be very tough next year for Calvin and Hope.

Please share any MIAA player signings/news for those of us not in southern MI area.

Cornerstone, Aquinas and Davenport all have a number of signings already, infact I would think they would be pretty close to being done by now.  From what I hear Davenport has been doing quite well.



You are absolutely correct about Olivet, last year they added Juco Nathan Jennings, if they were to add a player or two of that caliber it would certainly make them stronger.

[Knightmare]

Well with the flurry of signings at the higher levels of bball and the school year beginning to draw to a close we should probably start to see the "other shoe drop" on commitments at the MIAA level and also the NAIA's such as Cornerstone/Aquinas.

Definetly some interesting signings of high level DI players (McCallum and Zeigler) following their fathers to U of Detroit and CMU respectively.  If Olivet can pull in a couple contributing freshman they could be very tough next year for Calvin and Hope.

Please share any MIAA player signings/news for those of us not in southern MI area.

Cornerstone, Aquinas and Davenport all have a number of signings already, infact I would think they would be pretty close to being done by now.  From what I hear Davenport has been doing quite well.



You are absolutely correct about Olivet, last year they added Juco Nathan Jennings, if they were to add a player or two of that caliber it would certainly make them stronger.

I would think that Olivet would've been pushing the recruiting hard with McClary going to be a senior, especially at the JUCO level where a player could come in and has a better chance to be a major contributor immediately.  It may be a while before they get another player with the impact of MM and it would behoove them to try to maximize his senior year.  Unlike Calvin and Hope, who can just reload on a year to year basis, Olivet probably needs to build over a couple years to reach a climax and I'd think MM's senior year might be their best chance to do that for a while.

[ziggy]

I would think that Olivet would've been pushing the recruiting hard with McClary going to be a senior, especially at the JUCO level where a player could come in and has a better chance to be a major contributor immediately.  It may be a while before they get another player with the impact of MM and it would behoove them to try to maximize his senior year.  Unlike Calvin and Hope, who can just reload on a year to year basis, Olivet probably needs to build over a couple years to reach a climax and I'd think MM's senior year might be their best chance to do that for a while.

Easier said than done, and that is not meant to denigrate OC in any way, its just the reality at most D3 programs.

[Knightmare]

I would think that Olivet would've been pushing the recruiting hard with McClary going to be a senior, especially at the JUCO level where a player could come in and has a better chance to be a major contributor immediately.  It may be a while before they get another player with the impact of MM and it would behoove them to try to maximize his senior year.  Unlike Calvin and Hope, who can just reload on a year to year basis, Olivet probably needs to build over a couple years to reach a climax and I'd think MM's senior year might be their best chance to do that for a while.

Easier said than done, and that is not meant to denigrate OC in any way, its just the reality at most D3 programs.

I agree with you, that's what I was hinting at.  Olivet may not have another player of MM's ability at the d3 level for years.  So as the saying goes "strike while the iron is hot".  This doesn't mean Olivet can pull it off, but in theory this will be there best chance for some time.

[dumezrules]

I know (though none would be allowed to state it in this forum--and they may not even read this forum) there were many among the Hope faithful who were eager for a change a long time ago.  Probably quite similar to the aforementioned Calvin transition where many were ready/eager to see ED go and some resented KVS because of their attachment to the the beloved former coach who brought the Knights their first national title.

I think it was time.  Kind of like Bobby Bowden at FSU.  As long as they don't hire a Rich Rodriguez, I bet Hope will be better off soon.

Those "many" did not really know basketball..there is no doubt in my mind that over the last couple of years GVW has done some of his best coaching (especially against MIAA opponents)  I find it fascinating that first everyone praises the outgoing coach, then soon, disparaging comments arise....seemingly always from "inside informers". 

I think there are things Coach VW could have done differently of course but really, does everyone think the last few years teams REALLY underachieved?  would a change in practice structure have led to more wins?  I think not.

[realist]

BMK can speak for himself, but I think the people he is referring to are neither "insiders' (having special knowledge or connections to the coach or players) nor are they necesssarily "(b-ball idiots" (person having no special knowledge or experience).  I know several very loyal Hope basketball fans that are not connected, but do understand the game that questioned GVW's decisions for time to time. 
The next coach at Hope is going to have a very tough time as the bar for acceptable performance is set very high.  Yes, his decisions, style of play, use of players etc. is going to be questioned regularly, and probably most often by persons closest to GVW, and his staff, as well as typical Hope fans.