MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Maybe this should be almcguire's next picture

[ziggy]

Maybe this should be almcguire's next picture

That would excite and scare me at the same time.

FYI, the Pizza Plane is headed for southern California...

[almcguirejr]

Maybe this should be almcguire's next picture

That would excite and scare me at the same time.

FYI, the Pizza Plane is headed for southern California...

Hoke ordered a snack.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Maybe this should be almcguire's next picture

That would excite and scare me at the same time.

FYI, the Pizza Plane is headed for southern California...

Guaranteed 30 minute delivery?

[ziggy]

Maybe this should be almcguire's next picture

That would excite and scare me at the same time.

FYI, the Pizza Plane is headed for southern California...

Guaranteed 30 minute delivery?

Alas, it seems the Dominos plane is being used by Dominos. A shocking, yet true, revelation.

[sac]

The Britons are coming here.



Every year it seems the same with Albion.  In April and May we scan over their roster, note the number of Seniors graduating, look at the returning players and each of us looks and wonders how they'll be among the MIAA's best the next year.  Since 2005 its been a parade of graduating Seniors that spell the impending doom of Albion basketball, yet every year right around the middle of January there sit the Britons on top of the MIAA standings....or at least it seems that way.

And so spring 2010 was the same, gone from the roster were a number of Seniors who contributed in various ways.  Once again the thoughts were "how will Albion compete next season".  Next season arrives, and low and behold a week into the MIAA season and the Britons sit atop the MIAA standings.   This is the way of the MIAA and Albion basketball.



This years Britons play much like every Albion team in recent memory, solid but not great on offense, solid but not great on defense.  The days of Albion locking teams down into stellar defensive battles have given way to a slightly more productive offensive play that lends to slightly more higher scoring games.  You'll still get a tough defensive fight, but at least you'll feel like you can score sometimes.

Senior J.C. Cruse is leading the charge this season, and is quietly putting together a solid season.  Cruse leads the Britons in every category except assists, and is only 6 behind the team leader in that one.  About the only knock on Cruse has been his propensity to get to the free-throw  line.......and miss, frequently.  103 trips to the line in early January is more than a lot, making only 60% is bad.

Junior Chris Hutton has been their most consistent outside threat, shooting a solid 41% from behind the arc and averaging 10 points a game.  Sophomore Kolin Kazen comes in next with 9 points per game.   Senior Jake Siebert has developed into something of an average D3 big man.  After that, its a collection of the usual collection of Albion role players that play their roles and play them well.  You won't find many Albion players on the stat leaders lists, Albion has been and still is the best overall definition of team play this league produces year in and year out.



Last year Albion started the league 4-0, and two weeks later found themselves 4-4 and were never able to really get back their mojo and limped home with a 4-7 MIAA finish and missed the MIAA Tournament semi-finals for only the 2nd time in 9 years and 4th overall.

This year Albion is 2 wins this week from being exactly where they were last season, 4-0 leading the MIAA and 10-5 overall.  So far this year their 8-5 record contains 10 games decided by fewer than 10 points.....an Albion staple.   Like everyone in the MIAA they've lost a couple that make you scratch your head a little, but they also have maybe the most surprising win of the non-conference season by an MIAA squad.......a 93-88 OT win at Carthage.  If nothing else, that should tell you Albion can play with anyone in this league.  

The question for Albion is going to be can they sustain their play for the whole league schedule this year, and with Albion that always involves winning the close games and avoiding the big upset and especially the home losses.  Albion would be well served to turn Kresge into the fortress it sometimes resembles.  If they do that, they'll find themselves right in the thick of the MIAA race this year.

[ziggy]

and boom goes the dynamite

[almcguirejr]

and boom goes the dynamite

[sac]

Wonder where this Auburn fan was last night, the funny stuff starts at :45 seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7TxIMAwc1k&feature=related

if you listen carefully, you can hear him yell "I'd take Hoke"

[BogeyMan]

Thanks Sac on a great run down on Albion.  I think I will go watch the Adrian/Albion matchup tomorrow night.

[oldknight]

and boom goes the dynamite

Boom it is. Brady Hoke is the guy.

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2011/01/brady_hoke_to_be_introduced_as.html

[almcguirejr]

Wonder where this Auburn fan was last night, the funny stuff starts at :45 seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7TxIMAwc1k&feature=related

if you listen carefully, you can hear him yell "I'd take Hoke"

I think he was the person who paid Cam Newton's dad $180,000.

[wiz]

Wonder where this Auburn fan was last night, the funny stuff starts at :45 seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7TxIMAwc1k&feature=related

if you listen carefully, you can hear him yell "I'd take Hoke"

I think he was the person who paid Cam Newton's dad $180,000.

But, I think he has a degree in kinesiology so he should be good to go.

[ziggy]

Those of you that have followed KS's +/- game reports will appreciate this:

Former UM Wolverine Manny Harris was a -57 for the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. Every starter for the Lakers was at least a +41

LA Lakers 112, Cleveland Cavs 57

Box score

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Those of you that have followed KS's +/- game reports will appreciate this:

Former UM Wolverine Manny Harris was a -57 for the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. Every starter for the Lakers was at least a +41

LA Lakers 112, Cleveland Cavs 57

Box score

Almost as impressive is the fact that the Lakers scored 112 points, but didn't have an individual player score more than 15.  Teamwork in the NBA - what will be next.