MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[hoopdreams]

going only on the mass exodus of AQ basketball recruits the past 4 years, the opportunity to play for "a different personality type" coach, an opportunity to play, and opportunity to play anyone/anywhere at any level, to travel-Alaska, Hawaii.... and most importantly a chance to play for a great coach who doesn't break down his players mentally then try to rebuild them may have been the reason(s) to transfer.

AQ does not freely give out their athletic money, contrary to what most believe and from what I understand, the Oostema family is not exactly hurting for cash. 

Everything I have witnessed, read and heard about Coach Bailey and his staff has been very positive and impressive.

[goodknight]

going only on the mass exodus of AQ basketball recruits the past 4 years, the opportunity to play for "a different personality type" coach, an opportunity to play, and opportunity to play anyone/anywhere at any level, to travel-Alaska, Hawaii.... and most importantly a chance to play for a great coach who doesn't break down his players mentally then try to rebuild them may have been the reason(s) to transfer.

AQ does not freely give out their athletic money, contrary to what most believe and from what I understand, the Oostema family is not exactly hurting for cash. 

Everything I have witnessed, read and heard about Coach Bailey and his staff has been very positive and impressive.

You do not appear to know the financial considerations of this branch of the Oostema clan.

[Erm Schmigget]

Also, the costs to attend those two schools (from their websites):

Aquinas:  $30,423
Grace:    $23,996

That scholly money would have to be well north of $6000 to make a real impact in that decision.  That would be more than half of Aquinas' tuition fees for one year of full-time credits: $11,603.

[hoopdreams]

I won't speak for Ootsema, or his family (my apologies for an earlier comment), but I can tell you with great confidence that there are/have been players, that are/were playing at other NAIA schools or higher levels, that were much more productive in high school, that were offered no where near $6000 of athletic money from AQ.

EX: A player offered full tuition and board from Cornerstone or 3 grand from AQ.  Another player currently at a GLIAC school on full scholly, was offered a similar $3000 offer from AQ.

I still believe the huge number of players leaving AQ is not related purely to finances.  Families know the costs incurred prior to sending their child away.  PT plays a larger role than most people choose to acknowledge, especially when a kid transfers AND continues to play ball.

[wiz]

I think Grace Bible could compete very well in the D3 world right now.

I think Grace Bible just competed in the D3 world this past weekend and did very well.

[almcguirejr]

going only on the mass exodus of AQ basketball recruits the past 4 years, the opportunity to play for "a different personality type" coach, an opportunity to play, and opportunity to play anyone/anywhere at any level, to travel-Alaska, Hawaii.... and most importantly a chance to play for a great coach who doesn't break down his players mentally then try to rebuild them may have been the reason(s) to transfer.

AQ does not freely give out their athletic money, contrary to what most believe and from what I understand, the Oostema family is not exactly hurting for cash. 

Everything I have witnessed, read and heard about Coach Bailey and his staff has been very positive and impressive.

Dave Hammer is an excellent coach and a class act.

[oldknight]

Looking at the box score of last night's Calvin-TCC game, the Knights had impressive balance in the scoring column.  Six players collected double figures, and Jordan Brink only needed one more shot to add a seventh player in double figures.  This has to be a coach's dream.

Yeah, but does this team have a go-to guy who can put 30+ on board? You know you have a pretty good player when he can go 4-10 from the floor, 4-4 from the stripe, grab 8 boards, and dish 4 assists in 27 minutes and yet have a sub-par game.

[hoopdreams]

Coach Hammer is an excellent coach, uses his players strengths, and prepares his teams as well or better than any coach West of East Lansing. Until someone gives me a valid explanation why so many of his recruits leave, especially after their 1st year, I will tend to think that his way of handling today's student-athlete, may be a thing of the past for many kids .  OR he is a horrific evaluator of high school talent and the players ability to develop at the college level but I don't believe that is the case.

The departures of players like- Oostema, Briggs, VanOosten? (Alma JV???), Mckinney(yes i know he's a track all-american but he stopped playing the sport he was rercruited to AQ for) Snyder, Hill, etc... are the reason so many players like Motley, Hatchett, Underwood,etc... are brought in to plug the gaps. 

[hoopdreams]

sorry, I meant Johnson, a Sr. from Marygrove, not Underwood

[sac]

I think Grace Bible could compete very well in the D3 world right now.

I think Grace Bible just competed in the D3 world this past weekend and did very well.

I agree.

.....and just to be clear, I meant playing a full season in a D3 conference, not a one game shot on a weekend in December or November.

[hopefan]

Amusing sign seen as I traversed down Rt 55 to see local Webster U play at Historically Black University Rust..

I'll give you it as Trivia..

What is the name of the southern most exit in Missouri on 55 at the Missouri Arkansas Border?

Trivia answer   Holland!!!!

Bonus Trivia... what sister city is also on that exit sign?

Bonus answer......  The very un-Dutch sounding burg of Cooter.....   

[realist]

Looking at the box score of last night's Calvin-TCC game, the Knights had impressive balance in the scoring column.  Six players collected double figures, and Jordan Brink only needed one more shot to add a seventh player in double figures.  This has to be a coach's dream.

Yeah, but does this team have a go-to guy who can put 30+ on board? You know you have a pretty good player when he can go 4-10 from the floor, 4-4 from the stripe, grab 8 boards, and dish 4 assists in 27 minutes and yet have a sub-par game.

Even more important do they have the luxury to play a guy that can play 22 minutes, go 1 of 5, score 3 points, grab 2 rebounds and dish out 2 assists?  Imagine this type of performance 5 out of 8 games on a team loaded with great talent.  Yes indeed, a classic "coach's dream".

Quoting KVS:  "Trinity is a very good team and to get a win against a good team on the road is always big."
Trinity at 7-7 is a "very good team", okay works for me.

[goodknight]

Looking at the box score of last night's Calvin-TCC game, the Knights had impressive balance in the scoring column.  Six players collected double figures, and Jordan Brink only needed one more shot to add a seventh player in double figures.  This has to be a coach's dream.

Yeah, but does this team have a go-to guy who can put 30+ on board? You know you have a pretty good player when he can go 4-10 from the floor, 4-4 from the stripe, grab 8 boards, and dish 4 assists in 27 minutes and yet have a sub-par game.

Even more important do they have the luxury to play a guy that can play 22 minutes, go 1 of 5, score 3 points, grab 2 rebounds and dish out 2 assists?  Imagine this type of performance 5 out of 8 games on a team loaded with great talent.  Yes indeed, a classic "coach's dream".

Quoting KVS:  "Trinity is a very good team and to get a win against a good team on the road is always big."
Trinity at 7-7 is a "very good team", okay works for me.

Hey, a two-note Nellie!

[northb]

I think Grace Bible could compete very well in the D3 world right now.

Unfortunately, they would be immediately disqualified for paying their players through scholarship money...

I don't believe that Grace (and the NCCAA-2) hand out athletic scholarships. At least, that's what a faculty member told me. Unless the winking face was an insinuation of "athledemic" monies.

I stand corrected:  From NCCAA Bylaws:


SECTION 7.02.   DIVISIONS

b.   Division II.  Division II shall consist of member institutions that are designated Bible colleges or institutions that require every student enrolled to graduate with 20 hours of Bible.  Division II institutions shall grant no athletic scholarship to any student-athletes and shall not grant any special financial aid or scholarships to student-athletes unless offered equally to other members of the student body.

[realist]

Looking at the box score of last night's Calvin-TCC game, the Knights had impressive balance in the scoring column.  Six players collected double figures, and Jordan Brink only needed one more shot to add a seventh player in double figures.  This has to be a coach's dream.

Yeah, but does this team have a go-to guy who can put 30+ on board? You know you have a pretty good player when he can go 4-10 from the floor, 4-4 from the stripe, grab 8 boards, and dish 4 assists in 27 minutes and yet have a sub-par game.

Even more important do they have the luxury to play a guy that can play 22 minutes, go 1 of 5, score 3 points, grab 2 rebounds and dish out 2 assists?  Imagine this type of performance 5 out of 8 games on a team loaded with great talent.  Yes indeed, a classic "coach's dream".

Quoting KVS:  "Trinity is a very good team and to get a win against a good team on the road is always big."
Trinity at 7-7 is a "very good team", okay works for me.

Hey, a two-note Nellie!

Sadly, based on the trend line already established, and the fact Calvin should play another 18 games I will probably have enough notes by late Feb. to write an entire symphony.

Like it or not, Calvin struggled to defeat a very average Trinity team.  Just like a "hot hand" I know B. S. when I hear it or see it.

Quoting Bosko D. (Carthage coach after Albion game):  "Right now, we're not playing correctly enough to be a championship-caliber team.  We're a lot of talk and not enough action right now, and that's my responsibility."