MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[calvin_grad]

Also, who are all the bitter betty's on the board that feel the need to knock down karma ratings just for someone making a post.  Could someone please explain to me what was so offensive about my previous post that a few people start taking a hatchet to my karma?  I just don't understand some of the posters here, I think too many folks on a power trip.  Is there a "good ole boys" club that I don't know about, kinda turns off people from even contributing posts.

You've got to just stop caring what anonymous posters think about your anonymous post on a D3 Men's Basketball Hoops Board.  Who cares??  I don't know any of the people on this board from Adam, so I couldn't care less whether they think positively or negatively about my posts.

But PLEASE don't stop posting.  Everyones' posts contribute to making this a good place to read and chat about the MIAA.

[sac]

The last 3 years of the Hope/Albion series have gone Hope's way.....however both wins by Albion came at Kresge Gymnasium.  Both games last year were close games in the final few minutes.  Hope pulled away from a 2 point game at home, Albion rallied from 9 down to 2 with a minute to play at Albion.....each in the last 5 minutes.

08--Hope 64 Albion 49
08--Albion 56 Hope 52
09--Hope 81 Albion 56
09--Albion 70 Hope 68
09--Hope 75 Albion 48
10--Hope 62 Albion 55
10--Hope 98 Albion 90


The Albion/Hope game at Kresge has been a very important game on the MIAA schedule most of this past decade.

For Hope.......3 times in the last 9 seasons they've finished 1 game behind in the MIAA standings, all 3 years they lost the game at Albion.  2002, 2006, 2009

For Albion...
In 2003, Hope and Albion shared the MIAA title, and the game at Kresge might have determined the winner with Hope winning there, Albion returning the favor at Hope.

In 2004, a loss at home to Hope possibly cost the Britons an MIAA title when they finished 1 game back, although they did beat Hope at Hope.


One glance at the standings today, and you can't help but feel a little excitement for what might happen Saturday.  These are usually very good, high energy, tense games.


If it weren't for the most obvious choice for MVP since....Michael McClary last year, this game would feature two Sr's who would certainly be mentioned in the conversation for the 2011 MVP race.   Albion's J.C. Cruse and Hope's Will Bowser.

Cruse is averaging 18.8 in league play, and is among the top 5 in rebounds.  Bowser is averaging 20.4 points in the league and is among the leaders in shooting percentage.  Both are having outstanding Senior seasons.

Albion and Hope have a few common opponents.......probably a wash

Carthage 71 Hope 70
Albion 93 Carthage 88 OT

Hope 91 Trine 86
Albion 78 Trine 60

Hope 89  Alma 58
Albion 72 Alma 57

Hope 70 Adrian 63
Adrian 69 Albion 63



This years Albion team does a nice job of getting to the FT line, they are way ahead of their opponents and the rest of the league in this category.  This suggests a pretty aggressive team that goes to the basket a lot........yet another stiff challenge for Hope's interior defense.

One of the things I have quickly learned to admire about Jody May coached Albion squads is what a great job they do getting their 3 point shooters open.  And I don't just mean open for a shot I mean wide open for a shot.   Hope's new found love affair with defense will face its most serious offensive threat since the Calvin game...and that didn't go well.

Albion still plays very good defense, and I think there will be many challenges for both teams when Hope has the ball.    Last year Albion built a virtual wall around the 3 point line and Hope only attempt 9 three's, making 3.  They'll have to do much better than that Saturday.

This should be a very good, close game.  The winner will be in first place by their lonesome.  



random fact for the day in the learn something new category:   Apparently in ancient times the island of Briton was referred to as Albion, or Albion referred to the white cliffs at Dover.  Either way that whole place was referred to by people living a long long time ago as some form of the word Albion.

Which begs the question.   Is Albion Britons redundant?  

[Pat Coleman]

Also, who are all the bitter betty's on the board that feel the need to knock down karma ratings just for someone making a post.  Could someone please explain to me what was so offensive about my previous post that a few people start taking a hatchet to my karma?  I just don't understand some of the posters here, I think too many folks on a power trip.  Is there a "good ole boys" club that I don't know about, kinda turns off people from even contributing posts.

It's part of being in a rivalry. There are some Hope posters who will smite every Calvin poster no matter what and some Calvin posters who will smite every Hope poster no matter what. Same with St. Thomas and St. John's in football, etc. It happens, and yes, I agree it should not keep you from posting.

[oldknight]

Also, who are all the bitter betty's on the board that feel the need to knock down karma ratings just for someone making a post.  Could someone please explain to me what was so offensive about my previous post that a few people start taking a hatchet to my karma?  I just don't understand some of the posters here, I think too many folks on a power trip.  Is there a "good ole boys" club that I don't know about, kinda turns off people from even contributing posts.

I think pretty much all board regulars have been mystified by what might trigger smite on a particular post. A few weeks ago, after I had not posted anything for several days--and nothing remotely controversial for quite some time prior--I had one of my posts smitten not once, but twice in 24 hours. I read and reread it and could not figure out the origin of anyone's disapproval. The offending post did contain lyrics from the 70's group The Eagles so I finally chalked it up to someone simply not liking Don Henley.

I suppose everyone has their own standards for awarding applause, but for me there are a few that I apply with mostly faultless legalism. If your post makes me laugh (or even chuckle) out loud you're getting applause (and yes, that even applies when a Hope poster takes a shot at Calvin or at me). If you travel to attend a game no one else goes to and the post keeps us informed in ways we could not learn otherwise, that's good too. If you make a point (on any issue) that is well-written and makes me think in ways I had not previously considered, that's applause worthy.

Smite is something I don't hand out very often and I haven't smitten anyone in several weeks. I don't ever smite merely because I disagree with a post, but for posts that are clearly offensive or badly written (particularly over a period of time on the same issue), the negativist in me comes out. A few years ago some clown launched a board wide attack on Pat Coleman on an issue I've long since forgotten, and became such a pest that I not only smote the offender once, but I went back 24 hours later and did it again for good measure. It was my version of the 40 lashes less one.

It is also possible you were given smite by accident. A while back, one board regular told me he unintentionally gave me smite when he intended applause. He promised to rectify that after the required waiting period. He did . . . I think. 

[Dark Knight]

Which is why I've suggested to Pat on more than one occasion that he should do away with the whole karma thing or change it to just positive points.  

Maybe we should all agree to applaud everyone who posts once a day. Possibly we can break the system.

If not, at any rate, you'd never notice the occasional smite!

Rivalry cooperation FTW.

[northb]

Rivalry cooperation FTW.

Divided by a common heritage!

[KnightSlappy]

Karma, shmarma - I gotta agree with sac, northb, CM, and KS.  We would all be better off without it - just ask LeBron   

I actually think we're better off with it, becuase it entertains me that folks get so concerned about it!

[ziggy]

I just checked my karma spreadsheet and it says I'm -1 for the day. I quit this board.

[almcguirejr]

I just checked my karma spreadsheet and it says I'm -1 for the day. I quit this board.

check it again

[Knightmare]

I guess I'll just post away and if I offend you...well pull out your cell phone and call someone who cares.  Hard to not pay attention to the "karma ticker" though, deep at everyone's core they just want to be loved.  Why oh why can't I just be loved.  Is that too much to ask for?  Quoting The Beatles, "all you need is love, love is all you need"  Alright all kidding aside that's been enough touchy feely stuff for one day, let's get back to some bball.  Sorry for the diversion.

[calvinite]

While I could care less about Karma, I do care about ice cream. Can anyone tell me what's going on with Hudsonville Ice Cream not being a sponsor this year? I don't think we can even buy Hudsonville Ice Cream at VanNoord, either, and there certainly won't be anymore ice cream give-aways like we've had in the past (celebrating Dr. Spoolhof's birthday, for example -- which probably wouldn't happen anyway). What's going on? This IS really upsetting to me.

[Civic Minded]

While I could care less about Karma, I do care about ice cream. Can anyone tell me what's going on with Hudsonville Ice Cream not being a sponsor this year? I don't think we can even buy Hudsonville Ice Cream at VanNoord, either, and there certainly won't be anymore ice cream give-aways like we've had in the past (celebrating Dr. Spoolhof's birthday, for example -- which probably wouldn't happen anyway). What's going on? This IS really upsetting to me.

Been trying to sway "Mr. Hudsonville" away from the dark side for years.  Maybe he finally listened to me!   

[sac]

You cheer for Calvin?





You cheer for Hope?

[wwjjdd]

Apropos the issue of who smote whom re karma.  Shouldn't we all heed the advice of the American Cancer Society and give up smoting for good??  (My apologies to Allan Sherman)

[BogeyMan]

I have several questions about the karma issue.
1.  Do we trust or believe those with higher karma more than those with lower karma?
2.  Why have karma?  What use is it?
3.  Who decides karma?  Be careful here because it could determine bias?

Statement of fact:
I have been reading this board since 2005 and post very little because I have the notion that low karma is embarassing.