MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Standings  +1 for road win/-1 for home loss

Adrian  2-1     +1
Kzoo    2-1    +1
Albion   2-1     0
Calvin   2-1    0
Hope    2-1    0
Alma    1-2     0
Olivet   1-2    -1
Trine    0-3    -1


Saturday, January 15
Calvin at Adrian, 3 p.m.
Trine at Albion, 3 p.m.
Alma at Kalamazoo, 3 p.m.
Hope at Olivet, 3 p.m.

[Adrian Hoops Fan]

Final Adrian 69 - Albion 63

5 way tie for first.  Albion got hot from 3 late and made it interesting, but Adrian was 15 of 16 from the stripe in the last 5:15 of the game to hold them off.

Adrian  Mosely with 18 (10 of 11 FT)
           Mason with 14 pts & 10 rebs
           W Reed with 14 pts (6 of 6 FT)

Albion  Cruse with 20
           Wash with 11 (a few late 3's)
           McDonald with 7 (a couple late 3's)

[ChicagoHopeNut]

I'm being usurped! 

From the Calvin student body president:

Dear Calvin Community,
As the Student Body President and chair of the Dark Knights Society (DKS), I'd like to welcome you to the concept of this brand new chartered organization.   

Who are the Dark Knights? They are a group of 12 passionate and energetic students representing all academic years who will be at every basketball game and major Calvin event, drumming up support for the teams with their dances, cheers, and interactions with the crowd. The Dark Knights will act as tradition builders with innovative cheers, spunky looks, and lots of heart. These students won't be known by their given names but by personas (Bling, Caesar, Rufio, Lackademics, Colonel, The Kid, Charms, The Flow, Schemer, Birdman, Whips, and Dr. Swag). Wearing gold masks to conceal their identities, black jumpsuits, wigs of all shapes and sizes, and Converse shoes, these students will be a sight to see on the court and will hopefully continue the legacy off the court and down in Calvin's history. When they graduate, these Dark Knights will un-mask--revealing their identities to their classmates, roommates, and even significant others!

They've been practicing for a week now and are ready for the big debut today. After building up their name through advertising methods (paint, under cover appearances, and pictures), the Dark Knights will finally show their masked faces to the public during halftime. After halftime they will be in the stands cheering on the team with chants and cheers. They've worked so hard for this. I hope the basketball team and crowd appreciate their presence.

I have to go with GS on this one. This is really rather comical. 

Really. As opposed to the Dew Crew.  Really?

Yes, the build up in the form of a letter and "practicing" and hiding their identities. It's a bit silly and comical.

[GoKnights68]

I'm being usurped! 

From the Calvin student body president:

Dear Calvin Community,
As the Student Body President and chair of the Dark Knights Society (DKS), I'd like to welcome you to the concept of this brand new chartered organization.   

Who are the Dark Knights? They are a group of 12 passionate and energetic students representing all academic years who will be at every basketball game and major Calvin event, drumming up support for the teams with their dances, cheers, and interactions with the crowd. The Dark Knights will act as tradition builders with innovative cheers, spunky looks, and lots of heart. These students won't be known by their given names but by personas (Bling, Caesar, Rufio, Lackademics, Colonel, The Kid, Charms, The Flow, Schemer, Birdman, Whips, and Dr. Swag). Wearing gold masks to conceal their identities, black jumpsuits, wigs of all shapes and sizes, and Converse shoes, these students will be a sight to see on the court and will hopefully continue the legacy off the court and down in Calvin's history. When they graduate, these Dark Knights will un-mask--revealing their identities to their classmates, roommates, and even significant others!

They've been practicing for a week now and are ready for the big debut today. After building up their name through advertising methods (paint, under cover appearances, and pictures), the Dark Knights will finally show their masked faces to the public during halftime. After halftime they will be in the stands cheering on the team with chants and cheers. They've worked so hard for this. I hope the basketball team and crowd appreciate their presence.

I have to go with GS on this one. This is really rather comical. 

Really. As opposed to the Dew Crew.  Really?

Yes, the build up in the form of a letter and "practicing" and hiding their identities. It's a bit silly and comical.

Being there tonight, I would describe it more as creepy.

I guess nothing wrong with school spirit, though.

[ziggy]

Yes, the build up in the form of a letter and "practicing" and hiding their identities. It's a bit silly and comical.

Being there tonight, I would describe it more as creepy.

I guess nothing wrong with school spirit, though.

Like these guys?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-SrXKlHZFo

[maroonandgold]

Having watched the Calvin-Olivet game and reading the description of the Adrian-Albion game, I was struck by the similarity of the 2 teams in the lead struggling down the stretch.  In Calvin's case, I think it reflects a lack of maturity as a team.  Is it a similar situation with Adrian?

I have to disagree with the earlier comment about Calvin's weak inside defense.  I thought the defense close to the basket was Calvin's strength for most of the game (admittedly with some slips at the end).  Their defense against McCray especially was the biggest factor in winning.  McCray seemed to become really frustrated with the double teaming and forced quite a number of weak attempts in the second half.

[ziggy]

Having watched the Calvin-Olivet game and reading the description of the Adrian-Albion game, I was struck by the similarity of the 2 teams in the lead struggling down the stretch.  In Calvin's case, I think it reflects a lack of maturity as a team.  Is it a similar situation with Adrian?

I have to disagree with the earlier comment about Calvin's weak inside defense.  I thought the defense close to the basket was Calvin's strength for most of the game (admittedly with some slips at the end).  Their defense against McClary especially was the biggest factor in winning.  McClary seemed to become really frustrated with the double teaming and forced quite a number of weak attempts in the second half.

[realist]

Quoting Sac: "Olivet hanging with Calvin without Andre Evans is pretty impressive.........."   Quite true.  Last year at their place he went off for 27.
Not sure this game ends like it didl if Evans plays.  I liked the idea of Kruis getting some time against MM.  

[ziggy]

 I liked the idea of Kruis getting some time against MM.  

That'll put a little hair on the frosh's chest.

[oldknight]

I'll be interested to hear from those at the game if it was Hope's D or something else that kept Lackie without a FG in the game, and no shots until 5 minutes remained.

Some board posters don't think it's necessary to appear at the game to actually render an informed opinion.

[oldknight]

I'm being usurped! 

From the Calvin student body president:

Dear Calvin Community,
As the Student Body President and chair of the Dark Knights Society (DKS), I'd like to welcome you to the concept of this brand new chartered organization.   

Who are the Dark Knights? They are a group of 12 passionate and energetic students representing all academic years who will be at every basketball game and major Calvin event, drumming up support for the teams with their dances, cheers, and interactions with the crowd. The Dark Knights will act as tradition builders with innovative cheers, spunky looks, and lots of heart. These students won't be known by their given names but by personas (Bling, Caesar, Rufio, Lackademics, Colonel, The Kid, Charms, The Flow, Schemer, Birdman, Whips, and Dr. Swag). Wearing gold masks to conceal their identities, black jumpsuits, wigs of all shapes and sizes, and Converse shoes, these students will be a sight to see on the court and will hopefully continue the legacy off the court and down in Calvin's history. When they graduate, these Dark Knights will un-mask--revealing their identities to their classmates, roommates, and even significant others!

They've been practicing for a week now and are ready for the big debut today. After building up their name through advertising methods (paint, under cover appearances, and pictures), the Dark Knights will finally show their masked faces to the public during halftime. After halftime they will be in the stands cheering on the team with chants and cheers. They've worked so hard for this. I hope the basketball team and crowd appreciate their presence.

You should feel honored DK. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and this group did nothing to gainsay the time-honored Dark Knight tradition. I enjoyed them and already have anointed Lackademics as my personal favorite. His name alone reminds me of the low standards to which I aspired when a student. I hope to meet him someday, though I'm not sure I will introduce him to my daughter.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

It's great to see Trent Salo healthy again but I gotta say I would rather see Brink get more floor time.

Any word on Evans' absence for Olivet?  I don't think he was present in the arena tonight.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'll be interested to hear from those at the game if it was Hope's D or something else that kept Lackie without a FG in the game, and no shots until 5 minutes remained.

Some board posters don't think it's necessary to appear at the game to actually render an informed opinion.

Hey, I won the CCIW Pickems a couple of years ago without seeing a single game.

I suppose an argument could be made that my commentary was less than informed!

But just try to talk me out of giving it!

[oldknight]

It may not have been a dominating win over Olivet but it was a good win over a talented Comet club, even if they were missing Andre Evans. Calvin never trailed but never could really put the game away either--McClary and Jennings are just too experienced, talented and relentless to allow an opponent to pull away from them. Olivet does need to consider changes though. They have now lost 6 of their last 7 games and if they don't right the ship soon they will be irrelevant in the conference race. McClary and Jennings are big time scorers but I'm not sure two guys should be taking 44 of their team's 75 shots.

To me, the most important player in the game was Powell. I thought Bryan was excellent tonight for Calvin. He didn't dribble aimlessly but instead he attacked the basket well and he distributed the ball nicely too, gaining five assists against no turnovers. When he displays those qualities Calvin's offense doesn't go into a funk as it has in some games this year. He's also become an excellent defender. This was an important win for the Knights.

[goodknight]

It may not have been a dominating win over Olivet but it was a good win over a talented Comet club, even if they were missing Andre Evans. Calvin never trailed but never could really put the game away either--McClary and Jennings are just too experienced, talented and relentless to allow an opponent to pull away from them. Olivet does need to consider changes though. They have now lost 6 of their last 7 games and if they don't right the ship soon they will be irrelevant in the conference race. McClary and Jennings are big time scorers but I'm not sure two guys should be taking 44 of their team's 75 shots.

To me, the most important player in the game was Powell. I thought Bryan was excellent tonight for Calvin. He didn't dribble aimlessly but instead he attacked the basket well and he distributed the ball nicely too, gaining five assists against no turnovers. When he displays those qualities Calvin's offense doesn't go into a funk as it has in some games this year. He's also become an excellent defender. This was an important win for the Knights.

Powell has been MIA on the defensive end many times in his brief career but he stayed very focused tonight.  If he can sustain that, Calvin will be a much more dangerous team.  It still feels like the Knights are a little off-kilter in their rotations since Trent Salo's return.  Salo seemed slightly more effective tonight, but his shot is still (no pun intended) a little short.  I agree with many other of Calvin's fans who want Jordan Brink to get more minutes, not fewer, and are eager for the day when he takes a more prominent role in the offensive schemes.