MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[wiz]

Mrs. Oldknight and I headed to Chicago for a post-Christmas shopping trip in an effort to snap up some bargains. Along the way she forced me to stop off at the Bluejay Classic at Elmhurst College where we saw what was a combined disappointing yet entertaining loss to an athletic and quick Benedictine squad. The game actually had the feel of a summer league game, with both team's offenses carrying the action, a quality I judged was owing to the gambling nature of the Eagles' defense. Benedictine came up with some steals when the Knights were careless but Calvin also made Benedictine pay for some of their defensive choices, especially Schnyders who found that no one could guard him in the post. Brad had a nice game with 16 points. Calvin lost because--despite their height advantage--they got outrebounded and gave up too many second shots. Benedictine took a lot of shots from the arc which led to those long rebounds where quickness and aggressive in going for the ball are so necessary. Calvin continues to lose close games because there typically are 3-5 possessions each game when they make mistakes they shouldn't. If they correct those mistakes they will start winning these games.

Did Mrs. Oldknight force you to watch the Elmhurst - DePauw game as well?  If so, what do you think Calvin's chances are today?

[wiz]

Gotta give some kudos to Nate Snuggerud for a great game last night: 

22 points (8-9 from the floor and 6-6 from the line)
8 rebounds
5 assists
2 turnovers
2 blocks
ZERO fouls

all in 25 minutes.

This was also the second straight game that Josh Holwerda has made an impact (double digit points both games) and looked really comfortable doing so. The more comfortable he gets, the better (at least for Hope).

It feels to me like this team is fitting together really well, after having to deal with so much early on.  Roles seem defined, and guys are stepping up to do their part.

According the the Sentinel article it sounds like Nate delighted in coach telling him to step it up.  He took it to heart and had a great performance.

[realist]

"It's great to play really good teams.  They hold us accountable.  And we'll keep learning," said Coach Kevin Vande Streek after the game."  

IMHO only the coach of a team with a 4-6 record could possibly think that a team with a 6-4 record was "really good".  Had Calvin won they would both be 5-5, and that would seem to indicate neither of them is anywhere near being called "good"

[Happy Calvin Guy]

No, if Calvin maintains their current winning percentage in games that matter for NCAAIII tournament consideration and lose in the MIAA championship then they will be in the national tourney.

Meaning that tonight's game vs DePauw is really really important.  If we lose, we finish at .500 in non conference in-region games and I would imagine would have to win the MIAA tourney to get into the NCAA tourney, unless we somehow run the tables in reg season MIAA play (which I don't see happening). 

No moral victories tonight!

[realist]

4 years in a row Calvin goes into the conference portion of the schedule at or under .500.  

2010-2011 pre conference games  4-6 as of 3 minutes ago.
2009-2010 pre conference games  5-6   
2008-2009 pre conference games  5-5   
2007-2008 pre conference games  5-5 

I suppose this means that we either don't play very well in the pre-conference games, or that we schedule a pretty tough schedule.  I would guess that it's some of both. 

To focus on the positive, we are unbeaten in in-region games so far, the MIAA has put up a better record than years past so our SOS at year's end should be decent, and the past two years our mediocre non-conf record hasn't stopped us from winning the MIAA regular season title.  the other thing that I look to as a positive sign is that of our 6 losses, only the Wheaton game was not in doubt.  At Davenport, we led with 5 to go.  Against Grace Bible, it took a last second shot to beat us.  We closed to within a 2 point deficit at nationally ranked Carthage with under 2 min's to go, and we had a last second shot to win/tie against both Aquinas and last night against Benedictine.  This is one case where W/L record alone does not tell the whole story.  The great news is that so far, the W/L record hasn't mattered much either.  That changes next Wednesday in Holland.

Sadly comments like the one in bold above, and many KVS and others are uttering would indicate a willingness to accept mediocrity in a program that should be performing at a much higher level

Mediocrity:
" 1.the state or quality of being mediocre.
   2. mediocre ability or accomplishment.
   3. a mediocre person." [team]

 

[KnightSlappy]

"It's great to play really good teams.  They hold us accountable.  And we'll keep learning," said Coach Kevin Vande Streek after the game."  

IMHO only the coach of a team with a 4-6 record could possibly think that a team with a 6-4 record was "really good".  Had Calvin won they would both be 5-5, and that would seem to indicate neither of them is anywhere near being called "good"

They have 4 losses: D2 Lewis, #18 Illinois Wesleyan, 8-2 Milwaukee Engineering, and 8-3 Concordia (WI).

In an RPI calculation including all D3 vs. D3 games, Benedictine come out as the #37 team in D3.

[KnightSlappy]

4 years in a row Calvin goes into the conference portion of the schedule at or under .500.  

2010-2011 pre conference games  4-6 as of 3 minutes ago.
2009-2010 pre conference games  5-6   
2008-2009 pre conference games  5-5   
2007-2008 pre conference games  5-5 

I suppose this means that we either don't play very well in the pre-conference games, or that we schedule a pretty tough schedule.  I would guess that it's some of both. 

To focus on the positive, we are unbeaten in in-region games so far, the MIAA has put up a better record than years past so our SOS at year's end should be decent, and the past two years our mediocre non-conf record hasn't stopped us from winning the MIAA regular season title.  the other thing that I look to as a positive sign is that of our 6 losses, only the Wheaton game was not in doubt.  At Davenport, we led with 5 to go.  Against Grace Bible, it took a last second shot to beat us.  We closed to within a 2 point deficit at nationally ranked Carthage with under 2 min's to go, and we had a last second shot to win/tie against both Aquinas and last night against Benedictine.  This is one case where W/L record alone does not tell the whole story.  The great news is that so far, the W/L record hasn't mattered much either.  That changes next Wednesday in Holland.

Sadly comments like the one in bold above, and many KVS and others are uttering would indicate a willingness to accept mediocrity in a program that should be performing at a much higher level

Sadly we aren't afforded the chance to reject reality and have them play the games over. Should they beat Benedictine? YES. Do we hate it when they lose? YES. Do they need to get a lot better? HECK YES.

This is what KVS means when he says they're being held accountable. They're not playing well, and they're getting rewarded with L's. It sucks to see. When you play bad teams (like a Marygrove) you can play poorly and still win.

Some of us, however, have the ability to let the past be the past and look for the "good news". As HCG and ziggy have pointed out the "good news" is that even though they've played poorly to date, they haven't yet shot themselves in the foot as far as at-large tournament selection goes.

[ziggy]

Sadly comments like the one in bold above, and many KVS and others are uttering would indicate a willingness to accept mediocrity in a program that should be performing at a much higher level

Mediocrity:
" 1.the state or quality of being mediocre.
   2. mediocre ability or accomplishment.
   3. a mediocre person." [team]

OK realist, rather than debate you I would like to further understand where you're coming from.

The pre-conference records over the last four years are indeed mediocre and I would obviously much rather Calvin be 10-0 than 4-6 or 5-5 but I don't see a huge reason to get ruffled about it until the losses start to have an adverse effect on their ability to make the tournament. Not making the last two tournaments has been disappointing but they were just fine in the criteria they could control (WP) and lacked in the categories they couldn't control (OWP/OOWP).

Considering Calvin has done nothing so far to diminish their tournament eligibility (as far as primary criteria are concerned), what is it that you desire that would be different with a better than "mediocre" record?
Personal satisfaction?
A d3hoops.com top 25 ranking?
National buzz?
More butts in the seats?

I'm just trying to find something of real value other than a greater sense of confidence that this season could end well. Even that has no bearing on the final outcome.

[goodknight]

I've been intellectually enriched with the definition of mediocrity.
Just sayin'.

[oldknight]

Mrs. Oldknight and I headed to Chicago for a post-Christmas shopping trip in an effort to snap up some bargains. Along the way she forced me to stop off at the Bluejay Classic at Elmhurst College where we saw what was a combined disappointing yet entertaining loss to an athletic and quick Benedictine squad. The game actually had the feel of a summer league game, with both team's offenses carrying the action, a quality I judged was owing to the gambling nature of the Eagles' defense. Benedictine came up with some steals when the Knights were careless but Calvin also made Benedictine pay for some of their defensive choices, especially Schnyders who found that no one could guard him in the post. Brad had a nice game with 16 points. Calvin lost because--despite their height advantage--they got outrebounded and gave up too many second shots. Benedictine took a lot of shots from the arc which led to those long rebounds where quickness and aggressive in going for the ball are so necessary. Calvin continues to lose close games because there typically are 3-5 possessions each game when they make mistakes they shouldn't. If they correct those mistakes they will start winning these games.

Did Mrs. Oldknight force you to watch the Elmhurst - DePauw game as well?  If so, what do you think Calvin's chances are today?

Mrs. OK was gracious. I prevailed on her to attend the ever exciting alumni event after the Calvin loss so we missed the second game last night. Once my wife found out Portillo's was catering the alumni event it was an easy sell for me and she didn't complain about the missed opportunity to watch a double dip. I do see that Calvin and DePauw have a common opponent this year--Ohio Wesleyan--with both the Knights and Tigers winning by double digits. DePauw also beat Trine by 17 earlier this month. DePauw came into this tournament with a 6-3 record but has now lost two in a row. I assume Calvin will have their hands full tonight with an unhappy non-Bible Tiger squad.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Are non-Bible Tigers less friendly than Bible Tigers? I guess that question may be answered for us tonight.

[hoopdreams]

Piggybacking FDF, I have really enjoyed this watching this team play and come together as a unit.  They have a different leader(s) each game, as well as 1 or 2 unsung "heroes".  I'm guessing after last night, it may be Logan today whose been quiet the last couple games. That's the fun part, you simply don't know... Adding that Tanis and Bowser can't shoot any worse than last night (mostly good shots, simply didn't drop) I have a great feeling about today leading up to showdown #1.

New coach, injured important roster pieces, 2 transfers, 2 losses to very strong NAIA teams (one deemed dirty), 2 close losses to very strong teams, much improved defensively the last 3 games, great teamwork, etc..... 8-4 going into conference play? Who woulda thought?  Truthfully, not me.

[goodknight]

Are non-Bible Tigers less friendly than Bible Tigers? I guess that question may be answered for us tonight.

They may demonstrate less Grace.

[hoopdreams]

stats fans.... anyone know Hope's single game record for steals?  DeVette record?  I could have sworn Krombeen was pushing 8 or 9 last night but I suppose it was because there were so many, so fast.  The sentinel said that david and ty both had 6? Nice work from your backcourt.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

4 years in a row Calvin goes into the conference portion of the schedule at or under .500.  

2010-2011 pre conference games  4-6 as of 3 minutes ago.
2009-2010 pre conference games  5-6   
2008-2009 pre conference games  5-5   
2007-2008 pre conference games  5-5 

I suppose this means that we either don't play very well in the pre-conference games, or that we schedule a pretty tough schedule.  I would guess that it's some of both. 

To focus on the positive, we are unbeaten in in-region games so far, the MIAA has put up a better record than years past so our SOS at year's end should be decent, and the past two years our mediocre non-conf record hasn't stopped us from winning the MIAA regular season title.  the other thing that I look to as a positive sign is that of our 6 losses, only the Wheaton game was not in doubt.  At Davenport, we led with 5 to go.  Against Grace Bible, it took a last second shot to beat us.  We closed to within a 2 point deficit at nationally ranked Carthage with under 2 min's to go, and we had a last second shot to win/tie against both Aquinas and last night against Benedictine.  This is one case where W/L record alone does not tell the whole story.  The great news is that so far, the W/L record hasn't mattered much either.  That changes next Wednesday in Holland.

Sadly comments like the one in bold above, and many KVS and others are uttering would indicate a willingness to accept mediocrity in a program that should be performing at a much higher level

Mediocrity:
" 1.the state or quality of being mediocre.
   2. mediocre ability or accomplishment.
   3. a mediocre person." [team]

 

I should have clarified.  The W/L record so far hasn't mattered much for postseason NCAA tournament implications.  Sorry.

And for the record, I don't think that 4-6 is wonderful.  I just wanted to point out that based on the way that the screwy system works, the good news is that going 4-6 hasn't really hurt our postseason opportunities.    I also would be a lot more pessimistic if those six losses were all blowouts.