MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[hoopdreams]

This years conference depth may be the exception to  history, but #'s 7 and 8 can be anyone this year.  Hope has really struggled, a lot, against both teams.

I agree that focus and dedication could be lost by the "bottom dwellers" once it's realized that their postseason play is out of reach.  It would be hard to play and stay motivated when the light at the end of the tunnel has already been turned off for you.

[scottiedawg]

After McClary (34.6 MPG), 2-5 in minutes played are all Sophomores: Delano Collins, Greg Silverthorn, Scott Rogers and Ian Jackson. 

This is obviously Olivet's year to do anything, with McClary, Post and Jennings graduating--Evans was a SR too.

Trine has a bright future, with their top 5 in MPG being SO, SO, JR, FR and SO. (Rogers, Jackson, Pearcy, Veach and Smith)

Adrian likewise has a bright future, with their top 4 in MPG being 4 SO's.  (Collins, Gallant, Reed and Mason)

Only 2 of the top 9 in RPG are Seniors. (McClary and Clark)

It's a very week year for Freshmen, with only Brett Lackie, Noah Veach, and Jordan Brink contributing much.

[ziggy]

It's a very week year for Freshmen, with only Brett Lackie, Noah Veach, and Jordan Brink contributing much.

It may not show on a minutes basis, but I think there are a lot of Calvin fans that would take exception with Tyler Kruis not making your list.

[KnightSlappy]

It's a very week year for Freshmen, with only Brett Lackie, Noah Veach, and Jordan Brink contributing much.

It may not show on a minutes basis, but I think there are a lot of Calvin fans that would take exception with Tyler Kruis not making your list.

He wasn't credited with any blocks on Saturday, but I'm certain he blocked McClary at least once.

[calalum]

Yes  I also witnessed Kruis block a  McClary shot. It did go out of bounds and I beleive McClary scored on the next out of bounds play.

[scottiedawg]

It's a very week year for Freshmen, with only Brett Lackie, Noah Veach, and Jordan Brink contributing much.

It may not show on a minutes basis, but I think there are a lot of Calvin fans that would take exception with Tyler Kruis not making your list.

I was going to throw in a caveat about Hope and Calvin freshmen not usually getting many minutes due to strong teams, but decided to keep it simple.  Believe me, I'm very impressed with Kruis.

[oldknight]

Mr. Wentworth is correct.  Next year the tournaments for all league sports go to four team tournaments.  This is to reduce travel expense and mainly to reduce time away from class.

It also reduces the risk that a team with no real chance of representing the conference well will get hot and 'steal' the AQ.

Yes, talking to a few people in the Alma Athletic Department, they said that the schools that made the push for the change were Hope and Calvin. Then a few others sat in line behind them...

That comment doesn't quite pass the smell test for me. I'm not so sure anyone at any MIAA athletic department--including Calvin or Hope--would line up in favor of this proposal. I doubt that any MIAA coach would consider this change to be desireable. Your sources may believe what they told you but let's find out what's really going on before we once again prove Mark Twain's adage that a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth puts on its shoes.

[BogeyMan]

I was told it was done by the Presidents without conferring with the coaches or Athletic
Directors.  I doubt very much if there is a coach in the league that would agree with the four team conference tournament.  Athletic Directors should be making decisions like this, not Presidents.

[sflzman]

It's a very week year for Freshmen, with only Brett Lackie, Noah Veach, and Jordan Brink contributing much.

Maybe not with the huge numbers, but Alma had 90 minutes go to freshmen against Hope on Saturday...

[sflzman]

Mr. Wentworth is correct.  Next year the tournaments for all league sports go to four team tournaments.  This is to reduce travel expense and mainly to reduce time away from class.

It also reduces the risk that a team with no real chance of representing the conference well will get hot and 'steal' the AQ.

Yes, talking to a few people in the Alma Athletic Department, they said that the schools that made the push for the change were Hope and Calvin. Then a few others sat in line behind them...

That comment doesn't quite pass the smell test for me. I'm not so sure anyone at any MIAA athletic department--including Calvin or Hope--would line up in favor of this proposal. I doubt that any MIAA coach would consider this change to be desireable. Your sources may believe what they told you but let's find out what's really going on before we once again prove Mark Twain's adage that a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth puts on its shoes.

Before questioning what my sources have told me, did you know that the original idea put out for change in the basketball tournaments was a 6 team tourney

[newhopefan]

There is a lot of discussion on the implementation of a four game tournament.  One of the reasons being the student athlete.  I don't think anyone is thinking of the student athlete.  These young men and women want to play, and to take away that opportunity for one more game, one more shot at a win, to be the spoiler, is a diservice to them.  Teams like Olivet, that get hot at the end of the season or teams that have injury problems may need the opportunity the tournament presents.  This is a bad idea for our student athletes.  It sounds more like a cost savings plan than anything else.

[hoopdreams]

If players can't get hot, teams cannot either.  Sure there is plenty of data to support it.  They may as well just cancel the tourney and hand Hope the trophy and automatic bid because the standings clearly show that Holland has the best team this year

Guessing many people struggled in the pick'em  contest last week, I know I did....

[BogeyMan]

Great post newhopefan.  If I could give karma on that post I would.

There is a lot of discussion on the implementation of a four game tournament.  One of the reasons being the student athlete.  I don't think anyone is thinking of the student athlete.  These young men and women want to play, and to take away that opportunity for one more game, one more shot at a win, to be the spoiler, is a diservice to them.  Teams like Olivet, that get hot at the end of the season or teams that have injury problems may need the opportunity the tournament presents.  This is a bad idea for our student athletes.  It sounds more like a cost savings plan than anything else.

[oldknight]

Mr. Wentworth is correct.  Next year the tournaments for all league sports go to four team tournaments.  This is to reduce travel expense and mainly to reduce time away from class.

It also reduces the risk that a team with no real chance of representing the conference well will get hot and 'steal' the AQ.

Yes, talking to a few people in the Alma Athletic Department, they said that the schools that made the push for the change were Hope and Calvin. Then a few others sat in line behind them...

That comment doesn't quite pass the smell test for me. I'm not so sure anyone at any MIAA athletic department--including Calvin or Hope--would line up in favor of this proposal. I doubt that any MIAA coach would consider this change to be desireable. Your sources may believe what they told you but let's find out what's really going on before we once again prove Mark Twain's adage that a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth puts on its shoes.

Before questioning what my sources have told me, did you know that the original idea put out for change in the basketball tournaments was a 6 team tourney

No; I have no idea what proposals were discussed before the conference approved a four team post season format. Would knowing that require a modification of my post?

[Knightmare]

When was this decision made regarding the conference tourney?  Was this decision made some time ago and we all just missed the memo on that or did this news just come down the pipe.  Seems to be a pretty big change, especially considering the level of parity this year (I know it isn't being implemented this year) and the impact it could have if there are 4-6 quality teams bunched up together.  Taking this year as an example that would mean that if the season ended today that neither Kzoo or Adrian would be playing.  That would be an absolute disgrace considering how well they've been doing and some of the big conference wins they have put together.

Here's hoping that this isn't a permanent decision and can be reexamined and is then reconsidered.