MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Wiz - I'm guessing the answer is Calvin wins, since none of the Hope players would be able to find the gym or walk and chew gum at the same time with KVS as their coach      

[Adrianguy55]

Tough lose for the bulldogs yesterday.  Thought this team was past losing that type of game.  Could be a game that cost them a chance to play in the MIAA tournament.  Hopefully they can bounce back on Saturday at Kzoo. 

[Civic Minded]

Tough lose for the bulldogs yesterday.  Thought this team was past losing that type of game.  Could be a game that cost them a chance to play in the MIAA tournament.  Hopefully they can bounce back on Saturday at Kzoo.

After watching Hope play Alma at Alma, I had a feeling Alma would beat someone unexpectedly along the way, but never dreamed it would be Adrian.  Were you able to watch the game?  If so, what was it that Alma did that won it for them?

[Adrianguy55]

Tough lose for the bulldogs yesterday.  Thought this team was past losing that type of game.  Could be a game that cost them a chance to play in the MIAA tournament.  Hopefully they can bounce back on Saturday at Kzoo.

After watching Hope play Alma at Alma, I had a feeling Alma would beat someone unexpectedly along the way, but never dreamed it would be Adrian.  Were you able to watch the game?  If so, what was it that Alma did that won it for them?

Yes I watched the game and Alma just kept making plays down the stretch. Adrian cut the lead to 2 with 1:30 left and could not get any closer.  Alma hit 2 big 3 pointers that put the game away.  I would surprised if Adrian didn't win by 15 next time they played

[hoopdreams]

It goes well beyond 6-2.  Hope has now won 12 of last 16.  That nearly surpasses a "current trend", that's darn near domination...

I thought they (Calvin)looked quite strong for a large portion of the game, with the exception of 3 lapses of shot selection/finishing puppies throughout, with the topper being Powell's missed layup off of a beautiful feed from Snikkers. 

If Calvin plays that well for the remainder, they very well could finish in one of the 4 tourney spots.  For being shorthanded, Knight fans can't be too disappointed

[GoKnights68]

It goes well beyond 6-2.  Hope has now won 12 of last 16.  That nearly surpasses a "current trend", that's darn near domination...

I thought they (Calvin)looked quite strong for a large portion of the game, with the exception of 3 lapses of shot selection/finishing puppies throughout, with the topper being Powell's missed layup off of a beautiful feed from Snikkers. 

If Calvin plays that well for the remainder, they very well could finish in one of the 4 tourney spots.  For being shorthanded, Knight fans can't be too disappointed

Still quite disappointed in the last two regular season match-ups against Hope, as Calvin has completely lost it.  Last year against Hope, Calvin had, I believe, a 17 point lead at home and completely blew it.  Last night, Hope has a 28 point swing, as they erase a 12 point deficit and win by 16. 

[maroonandgold]

I've noticed over the years that when teams lose it is the coach's fault.  When teams win, it is the players.  Whatever the case, one still has to work with what one has.  So, let's have some fun and pose a question.  If KVS and MN switched seats last night with Kevin coaching the Dutch players and Matt coaching the Knights, which team would have won the game? 

It is interesting with all of the criticism KVS has received in recent years to note which team was better prepared to start last night's game.  That has to say something very positive about the coach.  Even though I have a lot of frustration with KVS's defense sagging off the weak side and giving up three's in bunches through the early season year after year, they always seem to eventually come around and play a more straight-up man-for-man eventually as they did last night.  I don't understand why they go to such an extreme and give up so many shots before coming around late in the season. 

Much has been made of the idea that Hope will be able to compete on a national level this year.  Early in the season I really had doubts as to the ability of their front line to handle stronger teams.  But Snuggerud has really improved this year over last, Holwerda has improved, and VanArendonk is really starting to contribute.  They still have a problem with depth in the forward and center positions.  With their stellar guard play, I think they have a chance.  And games such as last night's will help them prepare. 

Even though encouraged by Calvin's surprising ability to compete successfully for 2/3 of a game, I also expected Hope to come from behind and put it away.  At this point, Hope has the experience and depth to take over a game as they did last night.

The earlier comments about the problems with loss of key players were a huge factor last night.  It was really noticeable that players who missed one shot after another in the second half were the same players who hit shot after shot the first half.  Many of the  shots were good, open shots. bit the shooters leg were gone and so many of the shots fell short.

[HopeConvert]

A couple of thoughts on last night's game:

• I thought Hope came out really flat and uninspired, and looked lost on offense. In his post-game interview Davelaars indicated he thought the team was overconfident. Bunn said post-game something to the effect that Calvin was doing a lot of grabbing and putting hands on the Hope players (not thaumaturgically either) and once Hope realized it wasn't going to be called they got more aggressive. Then, too, I thought Hope got more aggressive when it went to the zone.
• I thought a very big sequence in the game happened at the end of the first half. Calvin was up 12 with 1:13 left and turned the ball over its subsequent three possessions. This allowed Hope to cut the lead to 8 at the half, but also seemed a harbinger of subsequent breakdowns for Calvin in the second half. Calvin's 9 first half turnovers kept Hope in the game, and their shot selection in the second half helped Hope get the lead, as others have noted. Calvin shooting 64% in the first half wasn't really a fluke: they were getting really good looks. I would expect a team to shoot that well if they don't have a hand in their face.

[calvin_grad]

The 1992 National Championship team will be honored at halftime of the Trine @ Calvin game this Saturday.  I can still hear the chants of "You can't guard him!!" from that entire season's run.

[northb]

It goes well beyond 6-2.  Hope has now won 12 of last 16.  That nearly surpasses a "current trend", that's darn near domination...

I thought they (Calvin)looked quite strong for a large portion of the game, with the exception of 3 lapses of shot selection/finishing puppies throughout, with the topper being Powell's missed layup off of a beautiful feed from Snikkers. 

If Calvin plays that well for the remainder, they very well could finish in one of the 4 tourney spots.  For being shorthanded, Knight fans can't be too disappointed

Just to point out, that is the same ratio.

[scottiedawg]

It goes well beyond 6-2.  Hope has now won 12 of last 16.  That nearly surpasses a "current trend", that's darn near domination...

I thought they (Calvin)looked quite strong for a large portion of the game, with the exception of 3 lapses of shot selection/finishing puppies throughout, with the topper being Powell's missed layup off of a beautiful feed from Snikkers. 

If Calvin plays that well for the remainder, they very well could finish in one of the 4 tourney spots.  For being shorthanded, Knight fans can't be too disappointed

Just to point out, that is the same ratio.

Larger sample size.

[sac]

Adrian hates going to Alma....

2012   Alma 74 Adrian 67
2011   Alma 54 Adrian 53
2010   Adrian 54 Alma 51
2009   Alma 64 Adrian 62
2008   Alma 58 Adrian 56
2007   Adrian 79 Alma 73
2006   Alma 73 Adrian 61
2005   Adrian 79 Alma 75

[AlwaysHope]

I believe this is a statement game for Hope.....
1.  We will continue this recent trend of success over Calvin
2.  We will send a clear message that we are clearly the best team in MIAA and the GL region
3.  We will not allow Calvin to hang around or comeback, as in so many past rivalry games
4.  We are the program in the MIAA- for potential an future recruits, not our opponent
5.  We are deserved of our lofty ranking
6.  We are on a quest for Salem
7.  We can beat you in the paint, our backcourt will beat you, our defense will stop you, our reserves will overwhelm you

If Hope stays out of foul trouble, this game will be ugly.  Calvin doesn't have the experience, the depth, the horses, and apparently the character ( so says some knight posters)to compete.  Coach Neil has already shown against lesser opponents that he's not going to let off the pedal. 

Prediction: Hope by 28+.....Of course, this IS Hope/calvin, so the Knights could win by 12

My prediction (if Hope wins by 28+):

Michael Le Roy changes his mind and informs Hope College he's interested in the school's presidency, chanting "Dutchmen....Dutchmen, Dutchmen, Dutchmen."
The entire staff at the CRC HQ repents for their ancestors' lack of, well, forbearance -- and for overreacting to the singing of hymns and the use of the English language in Dutch Reformed "contemporary" worship styles in 1857.
KVS resigns and hands the key to his office to realist.
The sun changes course tomorrow, rising over Holland and setting over Grand Rapids.

Goodknight, you called it, sort of...

At the 1:34 mark of the first half, Calvin led by the score of 40 - 28.  For the rest of the game, the Flying Dutchmen outscore the Knights, 53 to 25, a difference of exactly 28 points.  As a result:

1) LeRoy was seen in President Bultman's office today, measuring the drapes.
2) Realist is debating whether to use a man to man or zone defense in his first game as coach.  OldKnight is giving up his practice to be the Assistant Coach.
3) The Sentinel will soon begin selling photos taken from Ottawa Beach of the sun rising over Lake Michigan.
4) However, the CRC HQ remains unrepentant and to prove their point, is requiring that all future hymns at all churches be sung only in Dutch.  I guess four miracles in one day are too much to expect.

[AlwaysHope]

Some fans thought this three by Bunn was the turning point in the game:

http://photos.mlive.com/grandrapidspress/2012/01/gr0119mbb_cal-hope02.html

But after this event, Calvin had no chance:

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/photo/x713198223/Hope-vs-Calvin-Basketball?foto=11

[hoopdreams]

Thanks for having my back Scottiedawg...  Thanks for the pettiness Northb, my lowly public university degree did prepare me to identify the "ratio" similarities.  I'm fairly certain 13 of 17 (which is what it will be in a couple weeks) is NOT the same ratio.....book it

To lower myself, I do not forsee and another meeting this year in the MIAA tourney, so further ratio analysis will have to wait until next January