MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[KnightSlappy]

Michael McClary is absolutely abusing the Elmhurst Blue Jays over at the Cutler Center. He has 32 points, and the Comets lead with 4:45 to play.

Trine holds off Ohio Northern by 1! Big win for the Thunder.

[wiz]

Waynesburg University, coached by Mark Christner, (former Calvin assistant) has started out 2-1 this year.  That equals their win total of last year.  Their loss came in OT.
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And, they are in another tight one tonight.  Tied at 38 at the half way mark.

[wiz]

Wins for Trine and Olivet but it looks like Albion is going down.

[Dark Knight]

It is much too early in the season to be putting much stock in Massey.

Although I've lived well over half my life in Michigan (in fact, rapidly approaching 2/3), and the picks will probably not improve my popularity, I foresee a CCIW sweep.

Sorry, just my opinion.

True, 3-6 game results per team aren't enough to have much confidence in the ratings. But what are you basing your opinion on if not game results? Have you seen the teams play?

[almcguirejr]

According to Massey, Hope has had the most difficult schedule so far in all of D-III. Calvin's is 5th most difficult.

Olivet has to play Grand Valley,  St Mary's of MD, and Northwood of FL in the next 3 weeks.  St Mary's went to the Sweet 16 last year in DIII.  Northwood was a preseason #12 in the NAIA.  They are coached by former Villanova coach, Rollie Massimino.  They have beaten John Carroll on the road  Olivet will have been tested more than any other team in the MIAA heading into the league season IMO.

[KnightSlappy]

It is much too early in the season to be putting much stock in Massey.

Although I've lived well over half my life in Michigan (in fact, rapidly approaching 2/3), and the picks will probably not improve my popularity, I foresee a CCIW sweep.

Sorry, just my opinion.

So, what you're saying is that you feel that the CCIW team has an 85% chance or better in each of the four games? That's basically the 50-50 break even point for picking a sweep.

[Mr. Ypsi]

It is much too early in the season to be putting much stock in Massey.

Although I've lived well over half my life in Michigan (in fact, rapidly approaching 2/3), and the picks will probably not improve my popularity, I foresee a CCIW sweep.

Sorry, just my opinion.

True, 3-6 game results per team aren't enough to have much confidence in the ratings. But what are you basing your opinion on if not game results? Have you seen the teams play?

No, have not seen any of them play.  Going mainly off board scuttlebutt (both here and CCIW).

Carthage is off to a very shaky start, but they do have the best player in d3 (IMO), and are playing at home.  Wheaton was destroyed in the opener by Manchester (a team then beaten by then 0-4 NCC), but has since destroyed UWW and is doing the same to Chicago.  Meanwhile, Calvin has looked impressive, but is very young (Salem in a year or two?), while Hope has serious injury problems.  1-3 for the MIAA is probably more realistic than 0-4, but I'd be surprised if the MIAA managed 2-2 or better.

For the time being, I'll stick with a CCIW sweep.  (Of course, I also said that for the first week of CCIW Pickems (with just two exceptions; I only went 1-1 on the exceptions ); I went something like 8-6!  So what do I know?! )

[sac]

North Central 72 Albion 64

Britons trailed most of the way, looks like a couple 2nd half 3 or 4 minute cold spells ultimately did them in.

JC Cruse 17, Alex Harville 15, Kolin Kazan 11



Olivet 88 Elmhurst 76

McClary with 32, Nathan Jennings 19,  Jaren Edsall 14, Cameron Duncan 12
Comets led by double-digits most of the 2nd half and shot the ball well at 50%.



Trine 71 Ohio Northern 70

Trine wins a back and forth slugfest in the final couple minutes.  ONU made a little run to take the lead late before Trine was able to pull this one out.  Looks like ONU didn't get a shot off in its final trip for the win.

Ian Jackson 21, Scott Rogers 16, Tim Pearcy 11



League moves to 20-19...no games Thursday, and a big weekend for Hope and Calvin over in Kenosha.

[Galahad]

Here's some mixed news for Hope - Bunn back and Venema out for 6 weeks....


http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x1996680615/Hopes-Peter-Bunn-returns-to-practice-Andy-Venema-out-6-weeks

[Busted Stuff]

Anyone know what Bunn's injury is/was? Any insight as to why it remained an undisclosed injury?

[cambria321]

Anyone know what Bunn's injury is/was? Any insight as to why it remained an undisclosed injury?

I assume that this is per the wishes of the player, family and college.  We all need to respect that . . . it's not our story to tell.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Great news that Bunn is practicing but it still sounds like he is a ways away from contributing much in a game. Hopefully by the beginning of the conference season he will be rounding into form.

[sac]

Using Massey's way to early predictions (prior to last night's games) the MIAA shakes out...

Calvin 13-1
Hope 12-2
Olivet 11-3
Albion 8-6
Trine 5-9
Adrian 4-10
Alma 2-12
Kzoo 1-13


I still don't like that its counting the Calvin/Ferris State game in its ratings, I think that throws things like schedule strength and ultimately the power ratings off quite a bit.

[realist]

Massey must be having a problem with the game counting on Ferris's schedule, but not on Calvin's from an NCAA perspective.  A quick check would be any other schools that meet that criteria.
Unlike some other posters I would be inclined to think the odds of a CCIW sweep are much lower than either a 1-3 (CCIW) or even a 2-2 split.  It's not that I don't think the CCIW schools are good, it's more I don't think they are that much better than either Hope or Calvin.

[KnightSlappy]

Massey must be having a problem with the game counting on Ferris's schedule, but not on Calvin's from an NCAA perspective.  A quick check would be any other schools that meet that criteria.
Unlike some other posters I would be inclined to think the odds of a CCIW sweep are much lower than either a 1-3 (CCIW) or even a 2-2 split.  It's not that I don't think the CCIW schools are good, it's more I don't think they are that much better than either Hope or Calvin.

He says on his site that he counts games unless both schools view it as exhibition.