MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[BogeyMan]

In 1999 I was there when Defiance hit a last second 3 from the top of the arc to beat Calvin, the first time the semi-final host wouldn't be there on Saturday.  I don't remember if it was Frank Kill or Eric Viney, I just remember it went in and I was there to see it.  I remember dumb things like sitting virtually alone drinking a Pepsi, watching the Calvin/Defiance game in the upper tier of Calvin's Fieldhouse after Albion had beaten Hope earlier and most of the Hope fans had gone home.   It gave me a chance to congratulate Albion players like Brock Peters, Jason Klein and John VanderWal.  I talked briefly with Tim Czarnecki about what a great game he had against Hope and wished him well the next day.  You could see the satisfaction on their faces.

Sac - I believe it was Seth Newlove that hit the three.  Are you sure Frank Kill shot threes?

[ChicagoHopeNut]

If MIAA's goal with this format was to save money, they'll be thrilled to know Hope-Calvin did sell out on a Wednesday night on short notice.

Go Hope!

[oldknight]

I was pretty sure I remembered Eric Viney hitting that dreaded three for Defiance (Calvin's version of the game never to be named) and this link confirms it:

http://clubs.calvin.edu/chimes/990305/sports/sports2.html

As for having losing coaches watch the semifinals to observe players for purposes of judging MVP voting, it's pretty tough to do that under the new format isn't it? You can't be in Holland and Adrian at the same time. I agree with sac; the new system stinks.

[sac]

Sac - I believe it was Seth Newlove that hit the three.  Are you sure Frank Kill shot threes?

I knew it was kind of a desperate shot and it was a bigger guy taking the shot.  As Oldknight posted it was Eric Viney who was a Fr. that year.  He was a good looking tough player, so was Frank Kill actually.


Seth Newlove,  Kris Hinchcliffe and their Olivia Newton-John headbands were the ones who bombed Hope out of the 2000 MIAA semi-finals 98-91.  That's probably what most people are thinking of when they remember those guys nailing 3's all day in Calvin's Fieldhouse.

If I recall right Newlove was the Heartland Conference MVP the next season in Defiance's first year.

[monsoon]

I'm OK with the move to a half-tournament (don't feel strongly one way or the other; probably because, as a Hope fan, I figure my team will be in regardless), but I do wish the league would have kept the Friday/Saturday, all in one gym, format.  Since I can't come around the lake this weekend, I'll probably go watch just such a tournament at North Central.

[BogeyMan]

How many years was Defiance in the MIAA? 

[sac]

How many years was Defiance in the MIAA?

Just the two, 1999 and 2000.

I'm not even sure they completed two full seasons.  They participated in the HCAC in the spring of 2000, the men's basketball tournament was their final MIAA event I think.

[goodknight]

How many years was Defiance in the MIAA?

Just the two, 1999 and 2000.

I'm not even sure they completed two full seasons.  They participated in the HCAC in the spring of 2000, the men's basketball tournament was their final MIAA event I think.

They made their presence felt, both on the court and in this chat room.

[sac]

Olivet looking for a coach ...

When I first read this I assumed Gene Gifford had decided to retire, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Considering the fact Olivet was as competitive as they had been in decades the last 3 or 4 years, this is surprising.   Olivet lost 3 or 4 really good players to graduation last year including the best Olivet player in at least almost 3 decades, this was always going to be a rebuilding year.  Then midway through this year they lost 3 of their top 4 or 5 players through little fault of Gene Gifford's.

This seems harsh.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Then midway through this year they lost 3 of their top 4 or 5 players through little fault of Gene Gifford's.

Attrition is always challenging for a team.  Attrition due to injury is certainly not the coach's fault (unless you can relate it to lack of conditioning, but that's a stretch).  On the other hand, attrition due to other common reasons--transfers, disciplinary issues, and academic issues--I think can be partially attributable to the coach.  He has to learn to set proper expectations, keep players happy, be aware of personal or academic issues and address them early, recruit players with strong character, etc.  There's always going to be the one-off exceptions but a pattern can indicate some problems at the top other than mere bad luck. 

I know nothing of any of the individual situations at Olivet but I can say that we've observed a high level of player attrition over the past couple years, and this includes the JV program.

[wiz]

At least with the new format, if you are a Calvin or Hope fan you can go to the DeVos tonight and watch your team in person while watching Adrian/Trine on your handheld device.  Unfortunately, our Bulldog and Thunder friends won't have that luxury.

[GoKnights68]

If MIAA's goal with this format was to save money, they'll be thrilled to know Hope-Calvin did sell out on a Wednesday night on short notice.

Go Hope!

What percentage of tickets went to Calvin for this game? Are there MIAA guidelines for ticket distribution for this 4 team tourney?

[AlwaysHope]

Why am I feeling not confident about this game.

As compared to the last game, Calvin now has their starting guard Rietema, back, while Hope lost one of their key subs, Chris Ray.  Plus Calvin has the obvious incentive to use this tourney to get into the NCAA tournament with two wins.

Let the game begin.

[KnightSlappy]

Why am I feeling not confident about this game.

As compared to the last game, Calvin now has their starting guard Rietema, back, while Hope lost one of their key subs, Chris Ray.  Plus Calvin has the obvious incentive to use this tourney to get into the NCAA tournament with two wins.

Let the game begin.

Ray was out for the last meeting as well.

[GoKnights68]

Why am I feeling not confident about this game.

As compared to the last game, Calvin now has their starting guard Rietema, back, while Hope lost one of their key subs, Chris Ray.  Plus Calvin has the obvious incentive to use this tourney to get into the NCAA tournament with two wins.

Let the game begin.

It shouldn't be a cake-walk as Calvin has nothing to lose and will give it their all, but Hope has demonstrated this season that they can play 40 minutes of solid basketball with any major let-downs throughout the game. Their A-Game beats Calvin's A-Game.   I agree with KnightSlappy....Hope by 10.