MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

No other player in the MIAA commands as much attention in defensive preparation and focus as Michael McClary.  When Michael has the fade away jumper working like today, there is absolutely nothing a defense can do.  Several times today I thought Hope played very good D on him only to see a player throw up their palms in frustration after McClary drilled another fade away over them.


I really can't see how anyone else in this league is going to even put themselves in a position to challenge this guy for the MVP.  This is a once in a decade type player at Olivet who will break or shatter every school record a forward can break.  He's a special player, and its best to sit back and watch him do his thing one more time through the MIAA schedule.

[KnightSlappy]

An odd first half for the Knights against Adrian. They lead 29-22, but they have only made one 2-pt field goal (1-10). They're shooting 7-12 on three point attempts, so they're staying afloat.

8-22 (0.364) doesn't look good as a field goal percentage, but when you look at it as "effective field goal percentage" they're shooting 0.523.

[KnightSlappy]

Calvin just found out that you can't have more turnovers than field goals and still win.

[almcguirejr]

Adrian 69

Calvin 59

[Adrian Hoops Fan]

BIG win for the Bulldogs tonight.  In the first half, the defense tailed off at the end of the half and they have up some wide open 3's.  The second half brought a return to the nation's number 2 ranked defense.  They were gritty and out-hussled calvin.  It took a few minutes offensively to get going but they did get out going, breaking down Calvin's defense for some big 3's from Gabriele and W. Reed.  Hell they outscored Calvin 47 - 30 the second half.  Yes, that is right this low scoring team scored 47 points in a half (a month ago that was a whole games scoring for them).  Probably the most telling play for Adrian's huddle and defensive intensity came midway through the 2nd half after Adrian stole the ball and turned the bask back over giving Calvin a 2 on 1 break which Collins stole the ball back for an Adrian score. 

Adrian is a dangerous team and if they continue to play like the second half, they will challenge for and hopefully take home the title.

[sac]

Albion 78 Trine 60

Albion goes 11-21 from behind the arc.  I don't think anyone thought Trine would be 0-4 at this point.

Albion: Cruse 21, Kazan 14, Hutton 13, Harville 12, McDonald 10
Trine:  Jackson 14, Pearcy 12, Harris 12



Kalamazoo 79 Alma 63

Next 3 games for Kzoo ~  Albion, Olivet, Hope

Kzoo:  Clark 20, Prepolec 12, Hermanson 12, Stewart 10
Alma:  Erickson 14, Lackie 11, Silverthorn 11


Adrian 69 Calvin 59



Adrian:  Reed 16, Mosley 13, Gabriele 11, Collins 10
Calvin:  Schuster 12, Snikkers 10, Schnyders 10






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

Adrian  3-1     +1
Kzoo    3-1    +1
Hope    3-1     +1
Albion   3-1     0
Calvin   2-2    0
Alma    1-3     0
Olivet   1-3    -2
Trine    0-4    -1


Wednesday, January 19
Calvin at Alma, 7:30 p.m.
Albion at Kalamazoo, 7:30 p.m.
Adrian at Hope, 7:30 p.m.
Olivet at Trine, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 22
Trine at Calvin, 3 p.m.
Alma at Adrian, 3 p.m.
Kalamazoo at Olivet, 7:30 p.m.
Hope at Albion, 3 p.m.



Top 4 teams in the standings square off Wednesday night!   Hope's next 3 games are Adrian,  @ Albion and Kzoo.

[realist]

7-8.  How does the kool-aid taste now?    

[Knight2Day]

7-8.  How does the kool-aid taste now?    

Makes me *expletive* sick.  7-8? Really? The whole "young team" excuse is really running thin. Adrian has 3 upperclassmen. Calvin has 4. Calvin has beaten quality squads in Olivet and Hope and have lost to perennial bottom feeders in Adrian and Kalamazoo. I'm going to eat a piece of humble pie and say that Adrian is a quality ball club now. They have a quality defense, and they played with a lot of heart tonight. Kalamazoo has been on fire since they ebat Calvin and have absolutely put the wood  to their last few opponents. Calvin has more talent and has played with about as much heart as a brick. Calvin played a lot of selfish basketball tonight...and I STILL don't understand the substitutions....This isn't 7th grade, everyone doesn't need to play the same amount.

[GoKnights68]

7-8.  How does the kool-aid taste now?    

Makes me *expletive* sick.  7-8? Really? The whole "young team" excuse is really running thin. Adrian has 3 upperclassmen. Calvin has 4. Calvin has beaten quality squads in Olivet and Hope and have lost to perennial bottom feeders in Adrian and Kalamazoo. I'm going to eat a piece of humble pie and say that Adrian is a quality ball club now. They have a quality defense, and they played with a lot of heart tonight. Kalamazoo has been on fire since they ebat Calvin and have absolutely put the wood  to their last few opponents. Calvin has more talent and has played with about as much heart as a brick. Calvin played a lot of selfish basketball tonight...and I STILL don't understand the substitutions....This isn't 7th grade, everyone doesn't need to play the same amount.

Yeah, and it is time for Jordan Brink to start getting more minutes.  At least more than 17 minutes...

[Adrian Hoops Fan]

7-8.  How does the kool-aid taste now?   

Makes me *expletive* sick.  7-8? Really? The whole "young team" excuse is really running thin. Adrian has 3 upperclassmen. Calvin has 4. Calvin has beaten quality squads in Olivet and Hope and have lost to perennial bottom feeders in Adrian and Kalamazoo. I'm going to eat a piece of humble pie and say that Adrian is a quality ball club now. They have a quality defense, and they played with a lot of heart tonight. Kalamazoo has been on fire since they ebat Calvin and have absolutely put the wood  to their last few opponents. Calvin has more talent and has played with about as much heart as a brick. Calvin played a lot of selfish basketball tonight...and I STILL don't understand the substitutions....This isn't 7th grade, everyone doesn't need to play the same amount.

I don't know where you are coming with the perenial bottom feeders with Adrian.  No Adrian has not won the confernce title, but they have stayed in that 3-5 place since '01, been in 7 semi-final games and played in two championship games.  No this is not the highest number of appearances but they only trail calvin, hope & albion in that time span.  It is your attitude that thinks that nobody else is worth a **** if they are not from calvin or  hope that has people hate your programs.  Every loss comes with an excuse.  (My favoriete from all-time is when Adrian beat hoope at Adrian and VanWieren said it was Adrian's great free throw defense after they struggled from the free throw line saying that was due to supposedly someone turned off the the light in their office while someone was at the FT line).  Adrian has been a team that has not had the consistency to win a title but with a break here or there  could of taken the next step.  From now on why don't you actually take a step back realize this is an 8 team conference and not just 2. 

[Erm Schmigget]

AHF-

I'm sorry you feel that way about the Calvin and Hope programs.  It certainly isn't unearned.  I am one Hope fan who won't be pegged that way, however.  I don't say it much, but I have always had respect for the Bulldog program.  Your teams have played fantastic defense lately (not just this year), and I'm always nervous about games at Adrian, just like I am about games at Calvin.  Knight2Day was wrong to call Adrian bottom-feeders, as you have pointed out.

I sense quite a bit of frustration with their own program, and taking it out on the last team to hurt them is an immature response.  You have a right to feel insulted (because that was insulting), but please don't transfer one person's sentiment toward Adrian to the rest of his school's fans...and especially not to another school's fans.  I hate to be misrepresented, especially when I am somehow perceived to be represented by my rival.  Remember, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

I thank the Adrian men's basketball team for showing their ability, depth, and talent in beating Hope's rival.  Just don't expect me to be quite this nice on Wednesday night.      

[Knight2Day]

7-8.  How does the kool-aid taste now?   

Makes me *expletive* sick.  7-8? Really? The whole "young team" excuse is really running thin. Adrian has 3 upperclassmen. Calvin has 4. Calvin has beaten quality squads in Olivet and Hope and have lost to perennial bottom feeders in Adrian and Kalamazoo. I'm going to eat a piece of humble pie and say that Adrian is a quality ball club now. They have a quality defense, and they played with a lot of heart tonight. Kalamazoo has been on fire since they ebat Calvin and have absolutely put the wood  to their last few opponents. Calvin has more talent and has played with about as much heart as a brick. Calvin played a lot of selfish basketball tonight...and I STILL don't understand the substitutions....This isn't 7th grade, everyone doesn't need to play the same amount.

I don't know where you are coming with the perenial bottom feeders with Adrian.  No Adrian has not won the confernce title, but they have stayed in that 3-5 place since '01, been in 7 semi-final games and played in two championship games.  No this is not the highest number of appearances but they only trail calvin, hope & albion in that time span.  It is your attitude that thinks that nobody else is worth a **** if they are not from calvin or  hope that has people hate your programs.  Every loss comes with an excuse.  (My favoriete from all-time is when Adrian beat hoope at Adrian and VanWieren said it was Adrian's great free throw defense after they struggled from the free throw line saying that was due to supposedly someone turned off the the light in their office while someone was at the FT line).  Adrian has been a team that has not had the consistency to win a title but with a break here or there  could of taken the next step.  From now on why don't you actually take a step back realize this is an 8 team conference and not just 2. 

1951   Albion (8-2)
1952   Hope (9-1)
1953   Hope (11-2)
1954   Calvin (12-2)
1955   Adrian, Calvin (12-1)
1956    Calvin (12-2)
1957   Albion, Hope (10-4)
1958   Hope (13-1)
1959   Hope (13-1)
1960      Hope (14-0)
1961   Calvin (12-0)
1962    Kalamazoo, Hope (10-2)
1963    Hope (12-0)
1964   Calvin (11-1)
1965   Hope (10-2)
1966    Calvin (11-1)
1967   Kalamazoo, Hope (10-2)
1968   Hope (10-2)
1969    Calvin (11-1)
1970       Calvin (11-1)
1971    Olivet, Calvin (10-2)
1972    Olivet (12-0)
1973    Olivet, Calvin (8-4)
1974    Calvin (12-0)
1975   Calvin (12-0)
1976   Calvin (10-2)
1977   Calvin (9-3)
1978   Alma, Albion (9-3)
1979    Albion (11-1)
1980      Calvin (11-1)
1981    Albion, Calvin, Hope (9-3)
1982    Hope (10-2)
1983   Hope (11-1)
1984    Hope (12-0)
1985   Hope (11-1)
1986   Calvin (10-2)
1987    Hope (11-1)
1988   Hope (10-2)
1989    Calvin (10-2)
1990      Calvin (12-0)
1991    Hope (12-0)
1992    Calvin (12-0)
1993    Calvin (11-1)
1994    Calvin (11-1)
1995    Hope (12-0)
1996    Hope (11-1)
1997    Hope (12-0)
1998    Hope (10-2)
1999    Calvin, Hope (10-4)
2000      Calvin (14-0)
2001   Calvin (10-2)
2002   Calvin (9-3)
2003   Albion, Hope (10-2)
2004   Hope (10-2)
2005   Albion (12-2)
2006   Calvin (13-1)
2007   Hope (13-1)
2008   Hope (13-1)
2009   Calvin (12-2)
2010   Calvin (12-2)

Sorry, my reading glasses are a bit fogged up, but how many times has neither Calvin or Hope finished at least sharing the league title? That might be the reason why their fans get frustrated.

[Adrian Hoops Fan]

7-8.  How does the kool-aid taste now?   

Makes me *expletive* sick.  7-8? Really? The whole "young team" excuse is really running thin. Adrian has 3 upperclassmen. Calvin has 4. Calvin has beaten quality squads in Olivet and Hope and have lost to perennial bottom feeders in Adrian and Kalamazoo. I'm going to eat a piece of humble pie and say that Adrian is a quality ball club now. They have a quality defense, and they played with a lot of heart tonight. Kalamazoo has been on fire since they ebat Calvin and have absolutely put the wood  to their last few opponents. Calvin has more talent and has played with about as much heart as a brick. Calvin played a lot of selfish basketball tonight...and I STILL don't understand the substitutions....This isn't 7th grade, everyone doesn't need to play the same amount.

I don't know where you are coming with the perenial bottom feeders with Adrian.  No Adrian has not won the confernce title, but they have stayed in that 3-5 place since '01, been in 7 semi-final games and played in two championship games.  No this is not the highest number of appearances but they only trail calvin, hope & albion in that time span.  It is your attitude that thinks that nobody else is worth a **** if they are not from calvin or  hope that has people hate your programs.  Every loss comes with an excuse.  (My favoriete from all-time is when Adrian beat hoope at Adrian and VanWieren said it was Adrian's great free throw defense after they struggled from the free throw line saying that was due to supposedly someone turned off the the light in their office while someone was at the FT line).  Adrian has been a team that has not had the consistency to win a title but with a break here or there  could of taken the next step.  From now on why don't you actually take a step back realize this is an 8 team conference and not just 2. 

1951   Albion (8-2)
1952   Hope (9-1)
1953   Hope (11-2)
1954   Calvin (12-2)
1955   Adrian, Calvin (12-1)
1956    Calvin (12-2)
1957   Albion, Hope (10-4)
1958   Hope (13-1)
1959   Hope (13-1)
1960      Hope (14-0)
1961   Calvin (12-0)
1962    Kalamazoo, Hope (10-2)
1963    Hope (12-0)
1964   Calvin (11-1)
1965   Hope (10-2)
1966    Calvin (11-1)
1967   Kalamazoo, Hope (10-2)
1968   Hope (10-2)
1969    Calvin (11-1)
1970       Calvin (11-1)
1971    Olivet, Calvin (10-2)
1972    Olivet (12-0)
1973    Olivet, Calvin (8-4)
1974    Calvin (12-0)
1975   Calvin (12-0)
1976   Calvin (10-2)
1977   Calvin (9-3)
1978   Alma, Albion (9-3)
1979    Albion (11-1)
1980      Calvin (11-1)
1981    Albion, Calvin, Hope (9-3)
1982    Hope (10-2)
1983   Hope (11-1)
1984    Hope (12-0)
1985   Hope (11-1)
1986   Calvin (10-2)
1987    Hope (11-1)
1988   Hope (10-2)
1989    Calvin (10-2)
1990      Calvin (12-0)
1991    Hope (12-0)
1992    Calvin (12-0)
1993    Calvin (11-1)
1994    Calvin (11-1)
1995    Hope (12-0)
1996    Hope (11-1)
1997    Hope (12-0)
1998    Hope (10-2)
1999    Calvin, Hope (10-4)
2000      Calvin (14-0)
2001   Calvin (10-2)
2002   Calvin (9-3)
2003   Albion, Hope (10-2)
2004   Hope (10-2)
2005   Albion (12-2)
2006   Calvin (13-1)
2007   Hope (13-1)
2008   Hope (13-1)
2009   Calvin (12-2)
2010   Calvin (12-2)

Sorry, my reading glasses are a bit fogged up, but how many times has neither Calvin or Hope finished at least sharing the league title? That might be the reason why their fans get frustrated.

I said we don't have the titles but are always when it comes down to it facturing into the final outcome.  You are the reason that fans with respect like fdf, sac, erm,  civicminded to name a few get a bad name.  Read what I sid then make a response that doesn't further make you look like an ass

[hoopdreams]

Great game at Olivet, great win for Hope.  1 team with great offensive balance, 1 not so much.

I'll probably receive backlash for this... but I thought Hope played pretty solid defense for 40 minutes.  Olivet, I mean MM shot a high % in the first half but most of those shots came with an incredibly high degree of difficulty. There are not many players in the entire state, at any division level who could make those shots.  Mike is simply quicker than Hope's post players- quicker to his spots, quicker off screens, quick release on his jumper, there wasn't a lack of effort.  Hence the switch to Bowser, who is long but more importantly quicker.

Will made him work for everything.  Why they don't ever set MM up on the blocks defies logic.  Hopefully they don't figure it out until after the season.  Maybe the biggest missed shot of the game- his uncontested left hand layup is telling, or maybe he was simply exhausted.

Not sure if Evans would have helped at all, or hurt.  Post is a heck of a guard and competitor and played well under the circumstances.  With Evans on the floor, Andre probably shoots more 3's, Krombeen doesn't get into foul trouble, Overway doesn't play a huge part in the outcome.......... we'll never know.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I agree that I really liked Hope's defense yesterday. MM was simply on fire in the first half, but the defense was still well played. Olivet was having to work really hard to get those shots, which paid off in the 2nd half when the Dutchmen eventually wore out the Comets.  All around a solid game.

On to Wednesday to face a tough Adrian team. I'm glad we face them at home first.