MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Stinger]

Others I've seen great improvement throughout the season:  Rietema, Van Eck, Dykstra.  I disagree with KS on Van Eck--I think he will be an important part of the squad in 2012-13.  Dan Stout gives me the impression of a young Brent Schuster--tall, thin, and good rotation on his shot.   

My saying Van Eck won't make the team next year is more of a commentary on their potential depth, and less a knock on Nate. I think he could be a useful player for 9-12 minutes per game next year, but it would be tough to carry a senior on the end of the bench. It's a numbers game; I just don't see enough minutes available.

Good point KS.  A lot of that depends on the injured/ineligible crowd and who returns to the roster next year.  Speaking of that, I don't have a good understanding of who sits on the bench with the team and who doesn't.  Last night Mickey DeVries was on the bench (in street clothes of course) and I think earlier in the season Jordan Brink was there for awhile.  No sign of Mitch Vallie or Brent Henry.  Is it simply up to the player, or is there more significance to this to read into?  My understanding is that academically ineligible players can't practice either....but I guess they can sit with the team during games.

By the way, someone raised the question on this board a while back about 3-point gunner Jaren Edsall of Olivet and his recent absence from the lineup.  I'm not sure if anyone answered the question.....apparently it's a concussion issue and he should return to the lineup soon.

With half of the conference season through I just want to jump in and ask if you really believe a 9-9 overall team with a mediocre 4-3 conference record even deserves to have a player in the MVP discussion? If MVP voting really only takes into account the conference season then I dont really think Snikkers or anyone on the Calvin team, has any reason to even be in the MVP discussion.

For the conference Snikkers has made 39% of his FG's and 21% of his 3PFG's...yes he averages 15.6 points, but he is definitely not the most efficient scorer or shooter. He also leads the team in TO's, which is no surprise from what we have seen. I guess what I am trying to say, is that any team that completely dominates the MIAA should have the MVP on their team. Bowser got absolutely snubbed last year, and everybody knows it. McClary was a great player and certainly deserving of MOP but not MVP. An MVP doesnt let their team fall to a .500 conference record, and bow out in the first round of the MIAA tournament.

Ben Hansborough (brother of Tyler) was voted MVP of the Big East last year, do you really think he was the best? No, but he led his team to the best record in the conference and was a very efficient player, thus deserving of the MVP. The MIAA needs to seriously consider adding the MOP distinction.

Basically, if by some miracle the MVP doesnt go to a Hope player I will be absolutely shocked.

My question is where in the material you quoted above does it say anything about anyone from Calvin getting looks for MVP? 

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Tom Snikkers has 957 career points scored and will likely cross over into the 1,000 point club at Kalamazoo on 2/4.  If he keeps a lid on things a bit he could be able to hit the milestone at home against Alma.

[sac]

Halfway There


It cracks me up these days to see large groups of young people at sporting events sing 'Living on Prayer' by Bon Jovi.  Almost no one in college today was even alive when these guys passed as 'tough New Jersey' kids.  For someone who owned at least one pair of acid wash jeans and had this song beaten in to their head by their local DJ's its a weird site to see, and yet makes me smile.  We're halfway there, Hope's in front and the question is probably is the rest of the MIAA 'living on a prayer'.

bonus footage:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDK9QqIzhwk&ob=av2e


The MVP

David Krombeen, Hope

I think I have to go with David at this point.  Very few players in this league (heck maybe in D3) possess his ability to see over a defense from the guard spot, or his ability to slash to the basket and finish, and make such hay on defense.  He is definitely a very big reason Hope's offense runs as well as it does and when Hope does something well on defense he almost always seems to be in the middle of things .  I've often personally wondered exactly what was David's best position on the floor but at this point as a Sr. I don't care, I just want to see him on the floor.

The podium......

Ian Jackson, Trine -- in games against teams not named Hope, Jackson is the leagues leading scorer. 

Kolin Kazan, Albion -- He's having a great year for an Albion team that has struggled to score points.

Nate Snuggerud, Hope  --  At this moment he's Hope's leading scorer and rebounder in league play, a big second half could make the MVP choice a tough one.

Tom Snikkers, Calvin --  Deserves to be in this conversation, also Calvin's leading scorer and rebounder. 

The league doesn't have the collection of clear-cut offensive studs to focus on this year.  No McClary, Bowser and Prepolec has not performed like he did a year ago.  As long as Hope keeps winning its going to be tough to convince me David Krombeen isn't the MVP of this year's MIAA.  I think that gap from Krombeen to the next guy is pretty wide, and that next guy in line might be his teammate.


The First Team

David Krombeen, Hope
Ian Jackson, Trine
Kolin Kazan, Albion
Nate Snuggerud, Hope
Brad Whitby, Adrian*
Tom Snikkers, Calvin

*Scott Rogers of Trine probably deserves some recognition, but with only 6 spots I felt it was necessary to recognize an Adrian player.

I also think Joe Prepolec is easily one of the top 6 players in the league, but so far his numbers aren't quite there.  Filling out just 6 isn't easy, that's for sure.


Coach of the Year

Matt Neil, Hope

This has been a much easier year for the Hope staff, far fewer roster issues, and a solid starting 5 and bench to work with.  It might actually be hard to have messed this up.  But to this point he has Hope at the top of the MIAA, in the top 5 nationally, and probably the #1 ranked Great Lakes team.  It still takes some good coaching to work a good talent pool into a good team.  I also think Hope has done some great preparation for each opponent I've seen.



Grades
*based mostly on league play


Hope  17-1, 7-0    Grade:  A

Hope was the pre-season favorite, has navigated a pretty challenging non-conference schedule and stand unbeaten in league play. 


Adrian  12-5, 5-2     Grade:   B+

I think everyone thought Adrian would be at least near this position, but no one thought they'd have a loss to Alma.   That one loss hangs over this team in a big way.


Trine  11-7, 4-3       Grade:  B

All 3 of their league losses are probably to better teams and they've won the one's they were supposed to.


Calvin 9-9, 4-3       Grade:  C+

That loss to Albion is looking worse with each passing game.  Also lost a big lead on the road at Hope.  Not that far from being right in the race and appear to be on the upswing.


Albion 7-11, 3-4       Grade:  C

Their win at Calvin saves the first half from being a disaster.  Trade the loss to Alma with the win at Calvin and Albion is probably right where they should be.


Kalamazoo  7-11, 2-5       Grade:  C-/D+

The Hornets have made no noise whatsoever, two wins are over Alma and Olivet and double-digit losses to almost everyone else.


Alma  6-12, 2-5       Grade: B

Alma holds wins over Adrian and at Albion, those defy expectations on any scale. 


Olivet  3-15, 1-6      Grade: D

Versus expectations their record and standing is probably about right.  Overall though not very competitive in league play.  Injuries and attrition have taken a heavy toll......that win over Anderson seems a long, long time ago.


-------------------------------

I've managed to see 7 of the 8 teams, and somehow the one I haven't seen in person is Albion, that's weird for me.  Overall I'm not sure the league is as good as last year despite the better non-conference record.  What has really stood out to me is just how young this league is.   Adrian and Trine are rolling out a ton of Freshmen every night, Calvin's a young (and tall) group.    The future seems to be bright and kind of exciting, as the league is pointing towards being very competitive and full of the good kind of parity in the coming years.

In the more immediate future, Hope's done their part to make things less exciting and this next week is really going to decide whether the last 3 weeks are exciting or just a slow coronation for the Dutchmen.   All of Hope's tough road games remain, so there is still some work for Hope to accomplish.  Adrian has their hand on the wheel this next week with a game at Calvin and hosting Hope next Wed., the ball is for sure in their court.

For Trine, I think reality hit them hard this week with two big losses to Calvin and Hope.  They're a young team and there's always something fragile about the psyche of a young team.  I think they're at least the #4 team in the league but I think the door is open for Albion.

Albion has all of its tough games at home, so they can easily make up ground if they can find some offense and somehow rebuild the wall of fortress Kresge.  Ultimately though I think the Britons are going to need some help to reach the MIAA Tournament.

[alexj35]

mcclary was the best player in the league last year, end of story.

where were all the calvin fans last night?  i wasn't too impressed by the turnout.

also, i about cringed when i saw todd geerlings was reffing the game.  took me back to last year's pinstripe bowl and the horrible excessive celebration call he made on kansas state for saluting the crowd after a touchdown.  also, this amazing call: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-kdW8eUKzY&feature=endscreen&NR=1

[arena]

What was the change to the MIAA tourny again?

[sflzman]

What was the change to the MIAA tourny again?

Just a 4-team single elimination tourney on Wednesday the 22nd and Saturday the 25th. Also, if I remember correctly, all three games are at the highest seed? You'd need confirmation on that from someone else for sure though....

[alexj35]

What was the change to the MIAA tourny again?

only the top 4 teams make it in.  it's pretty much an outrage.  i haven't heard any supporters of it

[sac]

What was the change to the MIAA tourny again?

If the MIAA tournament were held tomorrow

#4 Trine @ #1 Hope
#3 Calvin @ #2 Adrian

Winners meet at highest seed

It will be interesting to see how teams that become eliminated from making the post season finish off their years.  What exactly will be Olivet/Alma/Kzoo motivation in the final 3 or 4 games if they have no post-season to play for?

[Mr. Ypsi]

sac, an interesting question!  Many conferences have had less than all teams in the conference tourney for years, but I've never tried to see what effect it has on teams once they are eliminated.  My gut hunch would be that sheer competitive pride would mean the effect is minimal, but there is data available if someone wanted to pursue the issue.

[pointlem]

What was the change to the MIAA tourny again?

only the top 4 teams make it in.  it's pretty much an outrage.  i haven't heard any supporters of it

I'll speak in support of it. 

Having several times watched a last-place team drive across the state to get humbled, once more, by the first-place team . . . before the sparsest crowd of the season . . . and then to drive home late on a school night after one more defeat . . . I think the new four team playoff respects student-athletes as students.  Besides, how likely is it that a team that couldn't finish in the top half of its league would enjoy much success in the ensuing tournament?

The new playoff system also allows higher seeded teams to play all games on their home floor, and eliminates the chance of a playoff championship game held on neither's home floor (which was the case if the #1 seed lost of Friday night, but hosted the next night's game in a near-empty gym).

[HopeConvert]

Looking ahead to the next Rivalry game: Hope has its winter break that weekend. That could cut into the student attendance.

[almcguirejr]

mcclary was the best player in the league last year, end of story.

where were all the calvin fans last night?  i wasn't too impressed by the turnout.

also, i about cringed when i saw todd geerlings was reffing the game.  took me back to last year's pinstripe bowl and the horrible excessive celebration call he made on kansas state for saluting the crowd after a touchdown.  also, this amazing call: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-kdW8eUKzY&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Calvin has had Geerlings a couple of times this year.  I have no complaints.  The crew last night was better than the crew Calvin and Trine had this past Saturday.

In Geerlings defense, he did not throw the flag.  I believe the back judge made the call and  Geerlings took the heat for it because he was the Head Referee.

[Gregory Sager]

Re: MVP. 

If the impact of a player to their team's success/win-loss % is the issue, one needs to look no further than Olivet's team this year vs last year to understand how VALUABLE Mike McClary was to that team. 

Hope has actually gotten better since Bowser graduated.   

Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

Hope has added Bunn and VanArendonk to a team that went to the sweet 16 last year. Additionally, other players have improved their games.

Sorry, I should have used the wink emoticon instead of the simple smiley face.  I understand that it's hard to read some things as tongue-in-cheek when it's merely the written word and one also wears orange and blue lenses. 

So... just to clarify and be literal, I do firmly believe that Will Bowser was a very valuable player and deserved to be included in the 2011 MVP discussion. 

I don't understand why offense was taken to that comment. I think it is very clear that Hope has improved since Bowser graduated. They also have improved since Jesse Reimink graduated. They obviously didn't do this because those two graduated. So no offense should be taken to your comment HCG and you no longer need to apologize.

I took no offense. Just contributing to the banter. I knew HCG wasn't casting asparagus on Bowser.

Emoticons typically mean nothing to me.

Emoticons are alien to me.  I'm a scientist.
      -- Spock, "This Side of Paradise", stardate 3417.3

[goodknight]

Re: MVP. 

I took no offense. Just contributing to the banter. I knew HCG wasn't casting asparagus on Bowser.

Emoticons typically mean nothing to me.

Emoticons are alien to me.  I'm a scientist.
      -- Spock, "This Side of Paradise", stardate 3417.3

To put a droll exclamation point on it, HC is a political scientist! 

[sac]

What was the change to the MIAA tourny again?

only the top 4 teams make it in.  it's pretty much an outrage.  i haven't heard any supporters of it

I'll speak in support of it. 

Having several times watched a last-place team drive across the state to get humbled, once more, by the first-place team . . . before the sparsest crowd of the season . . . and then to drive home late on a school night after one more defeat . . . I think the new four team playoff respects student-athletes as students.  Besides, how likely is it that a team that couldn't finish in the top half of its league would enjoy much success in the ensuing tournament?

The new playoff system also allows higher seeded teams to play all games on their home floor, and eliminates the chance of a playoff championship game held on neither's home floor (which was the case if the #1 seed lost of Friday night, but hosted the next night's game in a near-empty gym).

Is one less late night of travel really going to make that much of a difference to a college kid and his/her studies?


Your last paragraph I kind of agree with, but the men have been doing this tournament for 20 years and it seems like if the seeding, days of games and Championship site were ever a problem they've had plenty of opportunities to change the format to what the women have been doing for their 20 years.