MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Happy Calvin Guy]

All I had to do was mention that Krombeen is my MVP choice, and BOOM the Ian Jackson Secret Society fan club emerges from the woodwork. 

[Civic Minded]

All I had to do was mention that Krombeen is my MVP choice, and BOOM the Ian Jackson Secret Society fan club emerges from the woodwork. 

It's the day before The Rivalry game...a Happy Calvin Guy supporting a Hope player for MVP is bound to stir up some latent hostility of one sort or another.         (Taking nothing at all away from Mr. Jackson's noteworthy accomplishements.)

[sac]

Interesting that Ian Jackson has 1083 points with at least 10 games left in his Junior season.  He is well on his way to reaching 1500+ points which would put him among Trine's top 10 scorers all-time.

Most of Trine's leading scorers come from their NAIA days when they played a handful of games more per season, so this would be no small accomplishment.  On a per game basis, he'll probably finish among their top 5 scorers.

http://www.trine.edu/athletics/mens_sports/basketball/archives/

This was just meant as an interesting note, I have no opinion on the MVP at the moment.  I have not had the chance to see Ian Jackson play.

[Mr. Ypsi]

In my opinion Krombeen is the clear cut MIAA MVP at this point of the season, both from a numbers perspective but also just understanding the impact a player has on a game.

I'm sure Ian Jackson disagrees on both counts.

I'm sure more than Ian Jackson disagree.  After watching him play this year, he has improved his game at the defensive end tremendously.  He has made himself into more than a scorer.  Tough vote at this point in the season.

Just my opinion.  Looking deeper than just scoring stats, Krombeen vs Jackson:

Shooting 9.4% better from the field
5.3% more points per shot taken
0.8 more rebounds per game
0.3 more assists per game
1.0 fewer turnovers per game
63% better Assist/turnover ratio
0.3 more blocked shots per game
1.1 more steals per game

all this in 13% fewer minutes played.  The reason for this is leading Hope to more team success than Trine so they don't need their starters on the floor as much.  Team success should also be somewhat of a factor in MVP voting.  While I'm not a believer that the award should just go to the best player on the league champion, it should count for something.

I believe MVP and All-Conference voting only includes in-league games. Jackson has better ppg, and a/to ratio so far.

That's true in the CCIW, and I suspect most (if not all) conferences.  Seems a bit early in conference play to have an MVP discussion - unless there is just one NPOY-caliber player who is so obvious, why bother with discussion?!

[goodknight]

Anyone know who's favored to win tonight's Rivalry game in Holland? 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Link on the MIAA website has Calvin streaming the WGVU broadcast tonight. 

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Anyone know who's favored to win tonight's Rivalry game in Holland? 

Good question, GK.  Discourse about tonight's matchup has taken a back seat to chatter about Hope's chances to host NCAA games after they complete their undefeated regular season.   

[KnightSlappy]

Massey says 82-61. I'll give Calvin's defense a little more credit and say 76-60.

My wife just sent me a text saying that my two year old wanted to wear her Calvin t-shirt today. She knows.

[Dutch_Man]

Rivalry Day is here! 8pm can't come soon enough!

I will not look past Calvin now and I will not look past them if my team happens to be up by 30 with 10 minutes to play.... my heart has been broken to many teams even at a young age!

[KnightSlappy]

I may have a single general admission ticket available if there's a Calvin fan (or neutral board poster willing to wear Maroon and Gold) looking to get in the door tonight. Send me a PM if you want it.

[HopeConvert]

On the day of The Game, Hope College psychology professor David Myers reminds us both why it matters and why it doesn't (from 2008):

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/mar/26/opinion/oe-meyers26

[HopeConvert]

I may have a single general admission ticket available if there's a Calvin fan looking to get in the door tonight. Send me a PM if you want it.

Calvin fan or Calvin grad?

[KnightSlappy]

I may have a single general admission ticket available if there's a Calvin fan looking to get in the door tonight. Send me a PM if you want it.

Calvin fan or Calvin grad?

Non-heretics. Or, at least, someone that can follow directions.

[HopeConvert]

I may have a single general admission ticket available if there's a Calvin fan looking to get in the door tonight. Send me a PM if you want it.

Calvin fan or Calvin grad?

Non-heretics. Or, at least, someone that can follow directions.

You mean someone who [not "that"] can follow directions.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

My keys for tonight's game:

For Calvin:
1. Foul trouble.  Calvin needs to get NVA in early foul trouble to clear out the inside.  Calvin has a distinct height advantage if NVA is not on the floor and may be the only leverage point they have in this matchup.  Also, Calvin's depth is depleted with recent roster subtractions, so staying out of foul trouble is also key.

2.  Rietema.  David needs to use his superior strength to slow down "clear cut MVP"  David Krombeen.  He'll also need to minimize turnovers to get the ball over the timeline and into the offense, if Hope throws full court pressure at the Knights.

3.  Kruis.  Tyler started out the season looking like an all-MIAA candidate, and his production, shooting %, etc has significantly slowed lately.  Calvin needs to win the rebound battle by 5-10 and get significant points in the paint, and Tyler needs to be the lynchpin.

4.  Powell.  He has found success recently with eschewing the three ball and working to get mid range jumpers and drives to the iron.  24 points on 18 fg attempts with no three attempts on Saturday.  I remember back to his first regular season Hope game at Van Noord when he was "feeling it" and hit three straight threes in front of a delirious student section.  He needs to erase that memory and stick to the discipline of his recent success. 

For Hope:

1.  NVA.  If he can log 25+ minutes, block/alter shots, and hit his free throws like has recently, Hope wins.

2.  Bunn.  He's had some great games against the Knights in the past and if he goes for at least 20, Calvin will struggle to slow down the Dutchman offense.  Calvin showed great toughness defensively vs Kalamazoo, executing the help side "system" well and generally playing tall and long.  Hope made exactly one trey on Saturday and will benefit by finding some semblance of an outside game.  Bunn is the guy to do it.

3.  Bench.  Quality energy minutes from supersub Overway could wear down Calvin's thin depth at guard.  Neil is another guy who can extend the Knight defense if his shot is falling. 

4.  DeVos crowd.  If Hope can build momentum and the Dew Crew gets loud, I'm not sure how the young Knights will respond. 

If Calvin's midrange shots aren't falling, I expect Hope to win by 20.  If Calvin can keep things close and hang around, I expect a closer game but Hope's depth and the DeVos atmosphere will still prevail.  I hope I'm wrong, but my prediction:  Hope 80 Calvin 65.