MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[scottiedawg]

Does anyone know if Calvin's video On Demand will include more than the first 8 minutes or so of the 1st half, and roughly 5 minutes of the 2nd half?

[NW Hope Fan]

Does anyone know if Calvin's video On Demand will include more than the first 8 minutes or so of the 1st half, and roughly 5 minutes of the 2nd half?

You got to see part of the second half... Hmmm! I gave up. Gonna catch the Feb. game at the local dive with 30 Calvin fans and the loud Hope few. Here's hoping Harvest TV can keep a better signal.

[knights2000]

Just taking a look at some season statistics so far. You might even call this "In Defense of KVS"

Calvin is scoring 70.4 ppg. You should be able to win games scoring 70 points, in my opinion. You may complain about offensive schemes, or not getting certain players the right shots, but when it comes down to it, you can win ballgames with 70 points.

Calvin is allowing 73.1 ppg, good for 5th in the conference. With the style that Adrian and Albion play, it's not surprising that they are ahead of Calvin in this category. Because I feel like this number has more to do with style of play than defensive efficiency (KS, perhaps you can give me some numbers on how Calvin ranks) let's take a look at defensive FG%.

Calvin ranks second in the conference (ahead of Adrian!) in FG% defense. The defense that KVS is so highly criticized for (you know, the one that gives up all those open 3 pointers) is also second in the conference in 3 point FG% defense. You may argue that teams shoot more threes against Calvin because of the wide open-ness and that is why the percentage is lower, and you may have a point there as well. Once again, I am only working with the numbers I have.

Calvin leads the league in rebounding differential (one of only 3 teams with a positive differential), something that is oft-talked about on here. Perhaps this season is showing us that rebounding doesn't have as much to do with winning% as KVS thinks. Nevertheless, KVS has his team rebounding better than any other team in the conference statistically. They also lead the league in blocked shots, FWIW.

In regards to the pre-determined subbing by KVS: Last night against Hope, 167 of Calvin's 200 available minutes were played by 6 players. I understand this game had media timeouts, but hear me out. In the second half of the game, we saw Calvin's shooting percentage drop drastically (understandably so, I don't think anybody expected them to continue shooting 60+%.) Someone on here said something about their legs just not getting into it and shots falling short. Even with the extra media timeouts Calvin's players clearly showed some fatigue. Maybe KVS might just know his players level of conditioning better than us, and maybe there is good reason behind his substitution patterns. (Although I can't answer for Snikkers being out for 2 minutes at the end of the Albion game. I'm not claiming the man is perfect  )

For a team that is without 3 players with starting experience, I think they are doing alright. As a Knights fan, am I disappointed with the results so far? Absolutely. Frustrated with players and coaches alike? No doubt. Ready to give up on this team or coach? Not at all.

[pointlem]

Others have offered cogent afterthoughts on "the game" and the coaches.  As a Hope fan, I'm savoring the chemistry of this year's team, the return of Peter Bunn, and the elevated play of players ranging from Josh Holwerda to David Krombeen, who is such a special pleasure to watch (Peter and David are going to be sooo hard to replace). 

There's one other thing I've really come to appreciate:  Coach Neil's in-game demeanor.  Even when things weren't going his way Wednesday evening, he stayed focused and in control of his emotions.  He's not given to publicly berating his players, or tantrums or whining at the refs (with whom his occasional conversations appear civil).  He even seems, on occasion, able to smile or laugh and to savor a special moment.  Of course, it also helps that he has great players and is winning right now.  But win or lose, I think his positive and focused demeanor does himself and his institution proud.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

There's one other thing I've really come to appreciate:  Coach Neil's in-game demeanor.  Even when things weren't going his way Wednesday evening, he stayed focused and in control of his emotions.  He's not given to publicly berating his players, or tantrums or whining at the refs (with whom his occasional conversations appear civil).  He even seems, on occasion, able to smile or laugh and to savor a special moment.  Of course, it also helps that he has great players and is winning right now.  But win or lose, I think his positive and focused demeanor does himself and his institution proud.

I agree completely and very much appreciate Coach Neil's positive presence on the sidelines.  Positive energy, it's clear the players enjoy playing for him, and great respect for opponents and the officials.  Let's just say that Coach Neil makes it tougher for me as a Calvin fan to dislike Hope than it used to be, say prior to 2010.   

[KnightSlappy]

Calvin leads the league in rebounding differential (one of only 3 teams with a positive differential), something that is oft-talked about on here. Perhaps this season is showing us that rebounding doesn't have as much to do with winning% as KVS thinks. Nevertheless, KVS has his team rebounding better than any other team in the conference statistically. They also lead the league in blocked shots, FWIW.

In the offseason, I spent some time graphing different statistics to see how they correlated with winning%. Over the last seven years, rebounding margin correlates with winning percentage better than a lot of other stats.

Rebouding margin per game had an r-squared of 0.56
eFG% was 0.49
FG% was 0.46
eFG% defense was 0.38
FG% defense was 0.38
TO margin was 0.23

Offensive efficiency rating carried an r-squared of 0.75
Defensive efficiency was 0.71

Efficiency margin was 0.90.

[HopeConvert]

Brian Van Ochten weighs in on Calvin's woes:

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2012/01/why_calvin_college_mens_basket.html

While we're on it, I have to say I've been very pleased with the increased attention paid to Hope and Calvin basketball by the GRPress and Van Ochten in particular. What did NOT impress me, however, was the quality of the announcing on the WGVU broadcast, which not only was heavily slanted toward one team (examples abound and I'd be happy to provide them), but also filled with nonsense ("You don't expect David Krombeen to score so you don't typically account for him in your defensive game plan"; this after saying "You give Krombeen a credit card sliver from 3-point range and he'll knock it down every time") born of poor preparation. Give me OK (who got lots of face-time anyway given where he was sitting) any time on the broadcasts.

[KnightSlappy]

Brian Van Ochten weighs in on Calvin's woes:

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2012/01/why_calvin_college_mens_basket.html

While we're on it, I have to say I've been very pleased with the increased attention paid to Hope and Calvin basketball by the GRPress and Van Ochten in particular.

I think a lot of Calvin fans have had high expectations for next year for a couple of years now. Even with the struggles this year, I think Calvin has the potential to be a really good team next year, like Sweet 16 good. IF Mickey DeVries, Mitch Vallie, and Jordan Brink return, and there isn't any unexpected attrition, then Calvin will have 9 guys on the team with 5 or more career varsity starts under their belt (assuming Jordan Mast starts one more game -- I was a bit surprised that Haverdink started on Wed.). I hate that this season is going the way it is, but lots of players are getting quality experience.

I also have a hard time seeing Adam DeYoung, Brent Henry, and Nate Van Eck making the team next year.

[GoKnights68]

Brian Van Ochten weighs in on Calvin's woes:

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2012/01/why_calvin_college_mens_basket.html

While we're on it, I have to say I've been very pleased with the increased attention paid to Hope and Calvin basketball by the GRPress and Van Ochten in particular. What did NOT impress me, however, was the quality of the announcing on the WGVU broadcast, which not only was heavily slanted toward one team (examples abound and I'd be happy to provide them), but also filled with nonsense ("You don't expect David Krombeen to score so you don't typically account for him in your defensive game plan"; this after saying "You give Krombeen a credit card sliver from 3-point range and he'll knock it down every time") born of poor preparation. Give me OK (who got lots of face-time anyway given where he was sitting) any time on the broadcasts.

I am almost positive the announcer used the "credit card sliver" thing last year during the match-up as well.  Needs some new material it looks like.

The guy is a pretty strange announcer.  Throughout the first half when Calvin was up, he talked a lot about Calvin but he talked a lot about what they need to be doing, as if they were losing the game.  He also said in the first half that Hope expected to blow Calvin out tonight (which I guess they ended up doing kind of), but who is he to know what Hope players thought going into the game.  Is he not familiar with the rivalry?




And yes, the GR Press has always covered the MIAA very well in my opinion, even with their recent budget constraints over the last few years.

[thealmascots]

Brian Van Ochten weighs in on Calvin's woes:

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2012/01/why_calvin_college_mens_basket.html

While we're on it, I have to say I've been very pleased with the increased attention paid to Hope and Calvin basketball by the GRPress and Van Ochten in particular. What did NOT impress me, however, was the quality of the announcing on the WGVU broadcast, which not only was heavily slanted toward one team (examples abound and I'd be happy to provide them), but also filled with nonsense ("You don't expect David Krombeen to score so you don't typically account for him in your defensive game plan"; this after saying "You give Krombeen a credit card sliver from 3-point range and he'll knock it down every time") born of poor preparation. Give me OK (who got lots of face-time anyway given where he was sitting) any time on the broadcasts.

I am almost positive the announcer used the "credit card sliver" thing last year during the match-up as well.  Needs some new material it looks like.

The guy is a pretty strange announcer.  Throughout the first half when Calvin was up, he talked a lot about Calvin but he talked a lot about what they need to be doing, as if they were losing the game.  He also said in the first half that Hope expected to blow Calvin out tonight (which I guess they ended up doing kind of), but who is he to know what Hope players thought going into the game.  Is he not familiar with the rivalry?




And yes, the GR Press has always covered the MIAA very well in my opinion, even with their recent budget constraints over the last few years.

Based on the fact that a huge percentage of the audience is probably alums of both schools, it seems to me it would make sense to have someone on who has some connection to one of the schools.  Why don't they alternate having the color commentator be a former player or coach.  How great would it be to have Glenn Van Wieren or Ed Douma on there.  As with any school rivalry games...if you don't have a connection, you are not going to fully understand and appreciate it.

[Hopester]

Brian Van Ochten weighs in on Calvin's woes:

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2012/01/why_calvin_college_mens_basket.html

While we're on it, I have to say I've been very pleased with the increased attention paid to Hope and Calvin basketball by the GRPress and Van Ochten in particular. What did NOT impress me, however, was the quality of the announcing on the WGVU broadcast, which not only was heavily slanted toward one team (examples abound and I'd be happy to provide them), but also filled with nonsense ("You don't expect David Krombeen to score so you don't typically account for him in your defensive game plan"; this after saying "You give Krombeen a credit card sliver from 3-point range and he'll knock it down every time") born of poor preparation. Give me OK (who got lots of face-time anyway given where he was sitting) any time on the broadcasts.

I am almost positive the announcer used the "credit card sliver" thing last year during the match-up as well.  Needs some new material it looks like.

The guy is a pretty strange announcer.  Throughout the first half when Calvin was up, he talked a lot about Calvin but he talked a lot about what they need to be doing, as if they were losing the game.  He also said in the first half that Hope expected to blow Calvin out tonight (which I guess they ended up doing kind of), but who is he to know what Hope players thought going into the game.  Is he not familiar with the rivalry?




And yes, the GR Press has always covered the MIAA very well in my opinion, even with their recent budget constraints over the last few years.

Based on the fact that a huge percentage of the audience is probably alums of both schools, it seems to me it would make sense to have someone on who has some connection to one of the schools.  Why don't they alternate having the color commentator be a former player or coach.  How great would it be to have Glenn Van Wieren or Ed Douma on there.  As with any school rivalry games...if you don't have a connection, you are not going to fully understand and appreciate it.

Ryan Terpstra is a Calvin grad and he was part of the broadcast team. Mind you it was the sideline reporting.

[KnightSlappy]

K2000:  You can look at all the stats you like, but you are still talking about a 7-9 Calvin team.  Even KVS admits that "this team isn't where he expected it to be".  I am curious where exactly he expected this team to be, and that makes me ask WHY hasn't he gotten it there? 
We have already heard enough excuses.

KVS expected to have Jordan Brink, Mitch Vallie and Mickey DeVries. It's not a stretch to say that Calvin is 10-6 or better with a 4-1 or better league record had those three been available all season long. You're going to say "we have already heard enough excuses", but you can't fault KVS for expecting his players to be there, can you?

The slide that Calvin is experiencing did not start with the injury to Brink, or Mantel leaving the team or the academic problems several players have encountered.  Ponder the following chart:

Calvin performance:
Preconference games:                            Season
2011-2012    5-6                                   7-9       YTD
2010-2011    5-6                                   16-12
2009-2010    5-6                                   19-9
2008-2009    5-5                                   19-8
2007-2008    5-5                                   16-11

Over 5 years Calvin has won only 25 of 53 pre-conference games or 47%. 
Including the ytd numbers Calvin has won 77 of 126 games or just a tad over 61%.
No matter how you massage it those numbers are average at best, and reflect average coaching.

Another way to look at Calvin's "recent slide":

Conference record from 2007-2011 (last five full years): 53-18, .746
Conference record from 2002-2006 (the five years before that): 48-16, .750

So, in the last half decade, Calvin has been 0.25 games worse (total, so 0.05 wins per year) than they were the previous half decade.

[cmlundy]

Brian Van Ochten weighs in on Calvin's woes:

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2012/01/why_calvin_college_mens_basket.html

While we're on it, I have to say I've been very pleased with the increased attention paid to Hope and Calvin basketball by the GRPress and Van Ochten in particular. What did NOT impress me, however, was the quality of the announcing on the WGVU broadcast, which not only was heavily slanted toward one team (examples abound and I'd be happy to provide them), but also filled with nonsense ("You don't expect David Krombeen to score so you don't typically account for him in your defensive game plan"; this after saying "You give Krombeen a credit card sliver from 3-point range and he'll knock it down every time") born of poor preparation. Give me OK (who got lots of face-time anyway given where he was sitting) any time on the broadcasts.

I am almost positive the announcer used the "credit card sliver" thing last year during the match-up as well.  Needs some new material it looks like.

The guy is a pretty strange announcer.  Throughout the first half when Calvin was up, he talked a lot about Calvin but he talked a lot about what they need to be doing, as if they were losing the game.  He also said in the first half that Hope expected to blow Calvin out tonight (which I guess they ended up doing kind of), but who is he to know what Hope players thought going into the game.  Is he not familiar with the rivalry?




And yes, the GR Press has always covered the MIAA very well in my opinion, even with their recent budget constraints over the last few years.

Based on the fact that a huge percentage of the audience is probably alums of both schools, it seems to me it would make sense to have someone on who has some connection to one of the schools.  Why don't they alternate having the color commentator be a former player or coach.  How great would it be to have Glenn Van Wieren or Ed Douma on there.  As with any school rivalry games...if you don't have a connection, you are not going to fully understand and appreciate it.

Ryan Terpstra is a Calvin grad and he was part of the broadcast team. Mind you it was the sideline reporting.

The commentating for this game has always been a topic.  A few years back I wrote WGVU and told them about my concerns for the broadcast.  Their response was that they would review the tape about the announcing.  Well since then, the only changes to the crew are the color commentator (always seems to change) and the sideline reporter.  Maybe the best option is that if you can't make it to the game watch the game on mute.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

So, in the last half decade, Calvin has been 0.25 games worse (total, so 0.05 wins per year) than they were the previous half decade.

Too bad that 0.25 of a bad game happened to arrive at the 14:00 mark of Wednesday's game in Holland. 

[sac]

Saturday afternoon the Hope programs will most likely celebrate their 200th win at DeVos Fieldhouse.

Combined the two programs enter Saturday 199-11 at DeVos.

The Hope women host Albion in the afternoon. The men host Olivet Saturday night.  I'm pretty confident Hope can find a win out of one of those two games.