MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Gregory Sager]

I've already referenced my own ancient experiences, I know people too, who played for GVW and hated him....as a coach.  I work with someone who played for Douma...and hated him. Kids hate playing for Wesley at GVSU, Hammer at AQ, and on and on and on

Also, not a few players over the years have hated their coach when they played for him and only later after graduation did they come to appreciate, understand, and even love him. There's an old saying that when your kid is eighteen you're an idiot, but when your kid is thirty-five you're a genius -- and yet you haven't changed a bit. The same thing holds true for coaches. One thing youth doesn't offer is perspective. The people that are giving you the best advice and/or instruction when you're a teenager or a post-adolescent are often the people whom you're trying the hardest to tune out.

[sac]

Looking ahead.....

Its a pretty big week for Trine, these guys get overlooked because they have absolutely zero representation on the basketball board.  Last season the Thunder started out great in the non-conference then went 0-7 in the MIAA so I understand the skepticism.

This years version of the Thunder under new coach Brooks Miller  (fully endorsed by Bob Knight by the way), look to be pretty good.   

Wednesday night Trine hosts Adrian in a very important game, probably more so for Adrian given their one league loss already.  On Saturday Trine travels to Albion, which apparently despite the Britons inability to score well will probably still be one of the toughest road trips anyone makes this year.


A little early but the standings with +/-........+1 for road wins/-1 for road losses

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


Wednesday, January 11
Albion at Hope, 7:30 p.m.
Kalamazoo at Calvin, 8 p.m.
Alma at Olivet, 8 p.m.
Adrian at Trine, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 14
Hope at Kalamazoo, 3 p.m.
Calvin at Alma, 3 p.m.
Olivet at Adrian, 7:30 p.m.
Trine at Albion, 3 p.m.

[Civic Minded]

Let's give Knight2Day some breathing room.  While I understand what hoopdreams and GS are saying, I too have heard similar stories from those connected to the program, and the negative atmosphere is causing students who might otherwise choose to play to make alternate choices.  That doesn't necessarily make them "losers," or immature or whatever.  In fact, it may make them more wise than many, as they make a hard choice to give up a game they love based on a situation that makes the game unlovable for them.  I have found many of Calvin's players over the years to be young men of character and integrity, and to critique those who make choices that you wouldn't necessarily make based on facts you don't have is premature.

I wish Calvin the best, and am sad to hear of all of the adversity they face.  KVS is in a hard place, his players are in a hard place, their fans are in a hard place...but I have to believe that they'll find a way, whether this year or another one soon, to turn things around again.  At least I hope that will be true.

[hoopdreams]

You are probably correct CM, he is still a pup but he is a willing participant and initiator of this.  Ironically, these same stories, rumors, urban legends were rampant in Holland 2-3 years back, louder than ever before.  No need to bring up the numerous names that left the program but was this "disconnect" possibly, maybe why Coach VanWieren stepped down to most everyones surprise?

"Losers" was not intended to single out an indiviual player or players but was used to convey the perceptions K2D used of players giving up and not wanting to play anymore.  I don't care how dire the situation is, one is always in control of his/her actions and effort, on and off the court.

[AndersDY]

As a Hope fan, it is scary to hear that Calvin would have talent on the floor if only they had the proper commitment and motivation. Even when Calvin appears to have lost those elements, they somehow seem to show themselves as soon as the appropriate game starts.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

The 2011-12 Calvin squad has had its share of unexpected adversity.  Season ending injuries to Brink and Vallie take away two of the key members.  Now DeVries is out for the rest of the season which is a real shame.  He was a solid contributor as well and hopefully will be back next year.  All three of those guys have started games for Calvin at some point.  That's a lot of minutes to replace on the fly. 

Now, the true test of character is the response in the face of adversity.  The jury is still out, but from my observation of the team both on and off the court, they are not stepping up to the challenges with everything they have.  I just don't see the commitment to team unity, the intensity and focus, and the attention to detail from either the players or coaches right now. 

Another point about the game on Sat:  yes the game is lost by playing 40 lackluster minutes and letting Albion control the game or at least hang around to the final possession.  But let's focus for a minute on the final 13 seconds of the game: 

The Brits call timeout with 13 seconds to go in a tie game.  The Knights have five team fouls.  The teams huddle up and discuss strategy.  Albion gets to swing the ball around freely, Kazen drives the lane, draws defenders and dishes to Walker for the game-winning three pointer.  Five team fouls are left on the scoreboard.  A FOUL-TO-GIVE GOES UNUSED!  This is a license to play over-aggressive defense, deny passes and drives, and go for a steal, with ZERO CONSEQUENCES.  Worst case scenario is the refs actually call a foul and Albion has to reset out of bounds with less time--also a good outcome for Calvin!  This is not merely a case of the players not have "game awareness" in the heat of the moment.  This happened following a timeout immediately preceding the play! 

Secondly, after the Albion trey, 2.6 seconds to go and Tom Snikkers enters the game to inbound the ball for a last second prayer.  He chucks the ball right into the defender who rejects it right back out of bounds.  This costs 0.3 seconds.  Then he throws it around the defender over the sideline where no one can even touch it.  Albion ball, game over.  Is Snikkers/VandeStreek/everyone else unaware that the inbounder is allowed to run the entire baseline for up to five seconds before inbounding it since it was following a made basket?  Instead, he kept his feet in one place and let the man on the inbounder completely alter his passes.

This is the kind of thing that drives me crazy:  the mental errors that show that a team's heart and brain are not fully focused. It is not too late to save this season and get things back on track, but we need to see some real positive leadership in a hurry. 

[BogeyMan]

Happy Calvin Guy - Just FYI, the inbounder could not run on the second inbounds play because it was inbounded once.  The inbounder did take a step or two to his left on the first inbounds play but came back to his right because the backboard would of hindered a long throw down court.  The second inbounds play he would of been whistled for a violation if he would of run the baseline.

I do agree with your post and thought process on the last 13 seconds.  Calvin should of executed a lot better than what they did.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Happy Calvin Guy - Just FYI, the inbounder could not run on the second inbounds play because it was inbounded once.  The inbounder did take a step or two to his left on the first inbounds play but came back to his right because the backboard would of hindered a long throw down court.  The second inbounds play he would of been whistled for a violation if he would of run the baseline.

I do agree with your post and thought process on the last 13 seconds.  Calvin should of executed a lot better than what they did.

thanks for the response BogeyMan.  I stand corrected on my point for the second inbounds play.

[almcguirejr]

Former Hope player hits the Big Deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3z9oHIiRD0&feature=youtu.be

[hope52]

whats  his name 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

whats  his name

That's Cody Canan - AWESOME!!

[Civic Minded]

Hope moves up one spot to #11 in the top 25 poll, with the now-famous-in-these-here-parts Whitworth remaining one spot ahead.

[sac]

Former Hope player hits the Big Deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3z9oHIiRD0&feature=youtu.be

This has to be one of the most random things ever.

[goodknight]

Former Hope player hits the Big Deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3z9oHIiRD0&feature=youtu.be

This has to be one of the most random things ever.

The Sentinel this morning noted that Cody's girlfriend, Kara Visser, is a Calvin student. Cody is lucky is so many ways.

[SKOT]

Former Hope player hits the Big Deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3z9oHIiRD0&feature=youtu.be

This has to be one of the most random things ever.

The Sentinel this morning noted that Cody's girlfriend, Kara Visser, is a Calvin student. Cody is lucky is so many ways.

At least we now know Calvin students can count to.....1...