MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[BogeyMan]

Bias confirmed.  Karma went down with the above post.

[Civic Minded]

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.

1.  Nope.  Those w/ higher karma typically post more; does not necessarily connote higher trustworthiness. 
2.  So that instead of calling someone a puckered... you can just smite them and be rid of those hostile feelings (I kid!), or conversly to support someone who has posted a well thought out statement (or more commonly around here, someone who supports your team)
3.  Karma points can be given and taken away by any poster, once you've reached a certain number of posts (200 perhaps?)
4.  Don't feel embarassed by low karma.  No one I know of who has been around for more than a month really pays attention to anyone else's karma number.  Honest!   

Post away, and keep posting.  But know that posts seen as antagonistic will probably dock you some karma points.  Ignore it if you can, or post "blandly" if it really bothers you.  Enjoy!

[hope1]

save travel for everyone today  be carefuly

[wesco]

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?  

[wesco]

http://jkfotogallery.smugmug.com/Sports/Kzoo-1-19-2011/Albion-Basketball/15520855_KrLS4#1162607955_JTotm

[sac]

Alma at Adrian

Adrian is coming off a four game stretch of Olivet, Albion, Calvin, Hope......if mental fatigue is going to show its face, this is the most obvious game.   



Trine at Calvin

I expect a lot of points to be scored in this one.


Hope at Albion

see yesterday's ramblings



Kalamazoo at Olivet

In PRIME TIME!!!

Pretty much desperation time for Olivet.  Kzoo needs to win this to match Albion and Hope's wins at Olivet.  The Hornets are in game 2 of their very tough Albion, Olivet, Hope, Adrian, Calvin stretch.

[section7]

I probably lead the negative karma group, as I post alot less frequently than most, but my posts are usually controversely.

I find karma and who gives and when comical.

Case in point, my last fews pick'em posts my karma has moved down steadily, with no other posts.

Now that is funny.  Must be getting negative karma for my picks.

[almcguirejr]

WFUR is reporting the start of the men's game is delayed due to a medical emergency during the women's game.

I was delayed and then gave up trying to get to the game when the police started  making everyone exit the highway because of an accident.

[almcguirejr]

Calvin 74
Trine 68

Hope 66
Albion 55
- Hope outscores Albion by 12 in the 2nd half

Adrian 81
Alma 42

[oldknight]

WFUR is reporting the start of the men's game is delayed due to a medical emergency during the women's game.

I was delayed and then gave up trying to get to the game when the police started  making everyone exit the highway because of an accident.

The medical emergency appeared to be nothing more than a fainting spell in the grandstands but it stopped women's play for about 15 minutes, pushing back the normal 3 o'clock start to about 3:15.

As for the men's game, you missed a fairly unremarkable Calvin win. The Knights struggled on offense primarily because both Schuster and Snikkers were clearly off their "A" game . . . possibly their "B" games as well, going a combined 6-18 from the floor with 10 boards. If this was the first time you had seen this duo you would have thought they were little more than role players for the Knights. But a workmanlike 19 from Rodts along with some solid play by Calvin's prize freshmen, Brink and Kruis, provided an anodyne to the travails of more heralded players.

Ian Jackson scored 22 to lead Trine but I thought Calvin did a good job of keeping him under control. He had only three points at the half and a lot of his points came after you knew Calvin would win if they didn't commit turnovers and made their free throws. Scott Rogers and Tim Pearcy struggled for Trine as did their freshman, Noah Veach. Together this trio had been scoring about 32 a game for Trine but today they went a combined 5-23 from the floor. Calvin hammered Trine 48-34 on the boards.

Adam DeYoung displayed his value to the Knights today. Adam came in every time Trine's really big man Alex Croll did and Adam wouldn't let Croll have his way in the paint. DeYoung wound up grabbing 7 boards in only 12 minutes of playing time.

[northb]

WFUR is reporting the start of the men's game is delayed due to a medical emergency during the women's game.

I was delayed and then gave up trying to get to the game when the police started  making everyone exit the highway because of an accident.

The medical emergency appeared to be nothing more than a fainting spell in the grandstands but it stopped women's play for about 15 minutes, pushing back the normal 3 o'clock start to about 3:15.

As for the men's game, you missed a fairly unremarkable Calvin win. The Knights struggled on offense primarily because both Schuster and Snikkers were clearly off their "A" game . . . possibly their "B" games as well, going a combined 6-18 from the floor with 10 boards. If this was the first time you had seen this duo you would have thought they were little more than role players for the Knights. But a workmanlike 19 from Rodts along with some solid play by Calvin's prize freshmen, Brink and Kruis, provided an anodyne to the travails of more heralded players.

Ian Jackson scored 22 to lead Trine but I thought Calvin did a good job of keeping him under control. He had only three points at the half and a lot of his points came after you knew Calvin would win if they didn't commit turnovers and made their free throws. Scott Rogers and Tim Pearcy struggled for Trine as did their freshman, Noah Veach. Together this trio had been scoring about 32 a game for Trine but today they went a combined 7-23 from the floor. Calvin hammered Trine 48-34 on the boards.

Adam DeYoung displayed his value to the Knights today. Adam came in every time Trine's really big man Alex Croll did and Adam wouldn't let Croll have his way in the paint. DeYoung wound up grabbing 7 boards in only 12 minutes of playing time.

An interesting moment later in the second half.  Kruis was getting himself set up for a free throw, Brink ducked in and whispered something to him and they both smiled.  I think these guys will emerge in 1-2 years as a formidable core to this team.

[Knight2Day]

WFUR is reporting the start of the men's game is delayed due to a medical emergency during the women's game.

I was delayed and then gave up trying to get to the game when the police started  making everyone exit the highway because of an accident.

The medical emergency appeared to be nothing more than a fainting spell in the grandstands but it stopped women's play for about 15 minutes, pushing back the normal 3 o'clock start to about 3:15.

As for the men's game, you missed a fairly unremarkable Calvin win. The Knights struggled on offense primarily because both Schuster and Snikkers were clearly off their "A" game . . . possibly their "B" games as well, going a combined 6-18 from the floor with 10 boards. If this was the first time you had seen this duo you would have thought they were little more than role players for the Knights. But a workmanlike 19 from Rodts along with some solid play by Calvin's prize freshmen, Brink and Kruis, provided an anodyne to the travails of more heralded players.

Ian Jackson scored 22 to lead Trine but I thought Calvin did a good job of keeping him under control. He had only three points at the half and a lot of his points came after you knew Calvin would win if they didn't commit turnovers and made their free throws. Scott Rogers and Tim Pearcy struggled for Trine as did their freshman, Noah Veach. Together this trio had been scoring about 32 a game for Trine but today they went a combined 7-23 from the floor. Calvin hammered Trine 48-34 on the boards.

Adam DeYoung displayed his value to the Knights today. Adam came in every time Trine's really big man Alex Croll did and Adam wouldn't let Croll have his way in the paint. DeYoung wound up grabbing 7 boards in only 12 minutes of playing time.

An interesting moment later in the second half.  Kruis was getting himself set up for a free throw, Brink ducked in and whispered something to him and they both smiled.  I think these guys will emerge in 1-2 years as a formidable core to this team.

Happy to see both of these freshmen playing well. Brink had 12 pts, 5 boards, 4 assists, and only 1 TO in only 17 mins....Kruis with 8 pts and 5 board in 15 minutes.

On a different note, Adrian absolutely putting the lumber to Alma today.

[calvinite]

Continuing with freshmen contributions, Kruis also had 4 blocked shots -- more than all other players on both teams combined.

[calvin_grad]

Continuing with freshmen contributions, Kruis also had 4 blocked shots -- more than all other players on both teams combined.

And a missed dunk - more than all other players on both teams combined.   

[hoopdreams]

Can all the questions and concerns about Hope's defense be put to rest now?  As well as the season encompassing stats?  They are continuing to improve on a game to game basis, which I believe is what one is looking for headed towards tourney time.  Take away the 2 early 3's by Kazen (another post guarded perimeter shooter) and the huge discrepancy at the FT line (no bitching about officials, Albion really attacks the rim) and its a blowout.  Hope dominated 25-28 of the 40 minutes, including the first 14 minutes of the 2nd half.

In the infamous words of a special Hope fan..... Hope plays, Hope wins!  With a second consecutive "kinda of sub par game" from its starting back court.

Karma watch begins!!!!