MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

The local small college scene kicked off last night and our old friends Grace Bible almost did it again.  Cornerstone came back from down 44-28 to beat the Tigers 71-68.

If you are bored Friday night, Cornerstone plays Spring Arbor @ Aquinas, seems like that should be a good one.

16 days until the Eagles play Hope, also at Aquinas......and Grace Bible visits Holland later in December.

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Davenport hosts Calvin next Tuesday and a week later Hope and much later Kzoo, the Panthers are 3-0 and also sport a close win over Grace Bible 74-70.

Davenport hosts Ohio Christian Saturday if you want to do a little scouting.


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Indiana-Northwest is Alma's opener in their new gym, so far they are already 0-4 and will play 2 more games this weekend vs Valparaiso and Indianapolis before traveling up to Alma. 

The Red Hawks have an pretty interesting mix of games, which includes a couple D2's, IUPUI, Valpo, U of Toledo, Kuyper and Grace Bible, and one of D3's favorites , Carthage.  They went 6-22 a season ago.

[sflzman]

Indiana-Northwest is Alma's opener in their new gym, so far they are already 0-4 and will play 2 more games this weekend vs Valparaiso and Indianapolis before traveling up to Alma. 

The new arena is great, and if you have the chance this year you have to get up there and check it out...

[almcguirejr]

Detroit News article about Hope coaching change:

http://detnews.com/article/20101110/SPORTS0203/11100331/1133/sports/Hope-maintains-traditions--even-with-new-coach

[KnightSlappy]

In a tune-up exhibition match before the Calvin exhibition game, Ferris State falls to Indiana in overtime.

http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/files/iu-fsuex.htm

The game will be replayed on Big Ten Network at 4:30 today if you're interested.

[sac]

You might recognize the MIAA men's soccer MVP.......

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x412545105/Hope-mens-soccers-Logan-Neil-picked-as-MIAA-MVP

[Dark Knight]

You might recognize the MIAA men's soccer MVP.......

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x412545105/Hope-mens-soccers-Logan-Neil-picked-as-MIAA-MVP

Curious. Calvin's goalie, Ryan Bratt, has a better goals-against average, better save percentage, and more shutouts. So what makes Logan Neil the league MVP?

[Happy Calvin Guy]

You might recognize the MIAA men's soccer MVP.......

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x412545105/Hope-mens-soccers-Logan-Neil-picked-as-MIAA-MVP

Curious. Calvin's goalie, Ryan Bratt, has a better goals-against average, better save percentage, and more shutouts. So what makes Logan Neil the league MVP?

The only thing I can figure is that he beat the Knights every time he played them. 

[KnightSlappy]

You might recognize the MIAA men's soccer MVP.......

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x412545105/Hope-mens-soccers-Logan-Neil-picked-as-MIAA-MVP

Curious. Calvin's goalie, Ryan Bratt, has a better goals-against average, better save percentage, and more shutouts. So what makes Logan Neil the league MVP?

Why would CC Sabathia even be considered a top five candidate for AL Cy Young? The answer to both questions are the same, and it's a poor answer.

[Dark Knight]

You might recognize the MIAA men's soccer MVP.......

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x412545105/Hope-mens-soccers-Logan-Neil-picked-as-MIAA-MVP

Curious. Calvin's goalie, Ryan Bratt, has a better goals-against average, better save percentage, and more shutouts. So what makes Logan Neil the league MVP?

Why would CC Sabathia even be considered a top five candidate for AL Cy Young? The answer to both questions are the same, and it's a poor answer.

That might almost make sense if Hope were alone at the top of the standings. Almost, but not really.

[oldknight]

You might recognize the MIAA men's soccer MVP.......

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x412545105/Hope-mens-soccers-Logan-Neil-picked-as-MIAA-MVP

Curious. Calvin's goalie, Ryan Bratt, has a better goals-against average, better save percentage, and more shutouts. So what makes Logan Neil the league MVP?

Why would CC Sabathia even be considered a top five candidate for AL Cy Young? The answer to both questions are the same, and it's a poor answer.

That might almost make sense if Hope were alone at the top of the standings. Almost, but not really.

Pure logic often doesn't help one understand how awards work. Anyone watching knows that Ndamukong Suh was easily the most dominating player in college football last year but he didn't win the Heisman--the trophy ostensibly given to the best player in college football. That's because in reality the trophy is only available to the best skill position player in the college game.

[SKOT]

You might recognize the MIAA men's soccer MVP.......

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x412545105/Hope-mens-soccers-Logan-Neil-picked-as-MIAA-MVP

Curious. Calvin's goalie, Ryan Bratt, has a better goals-against average, better save percentage, and more shutouts. So what makes Logan Neil the league MVP?

The three stats you listed are all based on the skill and teamwork of the 8 or 9 defensive players on the field for each team (assuming a 4-4-2.)  At the college level and above most goals are the result of a defensive breakdown and not the goal keeper's lack of skill. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

You might recognize the MIAA men's soccer MVP.......

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x412545105/Hope-mens-soccers-Logan-Neil-picked-as-MIAA-MVP

Curious. Calvin's goalie, Ryan Bratt, has a better goals-against average, better save percentage, and more shutouts. So what makes Logan Neil the league MVP?

The three stats you listed are all based on the skill and teamwork of the 8 or 9 defensive players on the field for each team (assuming a 4-4-2.)  At the college level and above most goals are the result of a defensive breakdown and not the goal keeper's lack of skill. 

Very true, and also true way earlier than college.  I used to tell my U10 players that the best keeper in the world can't stop more than a small fraction of GOOD shots against him.  Your job is to make sure the opponent doesn't get GOOD shots!

[Dark Knight]

You might recognize the MIAA men's soccer MVP.......

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x412545105/Hope-mens-soccers-Logan-Neil-picked-as-MIAA-MVP

Curious. Calvin's goalie, Ryan Bratt, has a better goals-against average, better save percentage, and more shutouts. So what makes Logan Neil the league MVP?

The three stats you listed are all based on the skill and teamwork of the 8 or 9 defensive players on the field for each team (assuming a 4-4-2.)  At the college level and above most goals are the result of a defensive breakdown and not the goal keeper's lack of skill. 

This kind of award is usually based on stats because it's too subjective for a committee like this to argue about what keeper has more skill, or made more difficult saves, or something. Thus my surprise.

[Adrian Hoops Fan]

I understand the connection for the first comment about Neil getting MIAA MVP for soccer, but most of the last week has been soccer discussion.  We are a week away from tip off, this all seems to be topic for another board of some kind.

[hoopdreams]

Beware AHF, you do not want to go against the grain on this board.  Go with the flow, agree with everyone, always comment that the coach is correct because he knows more than you even if you have vast hoop knowledge and experience, all players are good both on the court and off, insert pic or someone beating a horse or condiment bottles, and most certainly- always say something positive about Calvin or Hope!

While I am not a true soccer fan, it was nice to hear about Logan Neil and the NCAA bids but we are on the cusp of another exciting season which could, can I say this, have a little more parity than usual.

What wins the MIAA, 2, 3, 4, 5 losses? Anymore scrimmages on tap? Updates on rosters, rotations should be set for the most part, surprises, whispers in the dark?  Checked out the Calvin blog recently...........NICE work.

FWIW Calvin fans, it may be a good thing that Powell is "forced" to play more pg, run the floor/system, get other involved, etc....  when he has only one thing on his mind, its not always a good thing