MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[John Gleich]

We already knew this but Hope led D3 in attendance......Calvin 4th, MIAA 1st as a conference.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/latest+news/2012/may/mens+basketball+attendance+still+strong

the blurb about Hope

In Division III, Hope ran away with its 10th straight attendance title by averaging 3,259 per game, which was more than double the runner-up. The rest of the top five were Wooster (1,607), Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1,474), Calvin (1,397), and Franklin & Marshall (1,311). Hope's total attendance of 52,151 was the second highest in Division III history. The record of 52,719 was set by Hope in 2006.

also a blurb about the D3 tournament

The Division III tournament had 59,492 fans for a 1,352 average in 44 sessions.

I'm not sure how much you guys have looked at this in years past in terms of trends (other than just your individual schools) but it seems like the top attendance-getters aren't as high as in past years. Many years, there have been 3 schools with 2000+ and 6 or 7 with 1400+. This year, UWSP was #3 at 1474. That was with only one WIAC tournament game and no NCAA games, so that would certainly have an impact (these would drive the average up, probably 2k+ for those games on average).

This is the highest Point has "placed" in attendance, but it's 500 fans per game fewer than the next highest, in 05 (Championship #2) when Point averaged over 1900 and was 4th in the country.

Blame Wii, Guitar Hero, and Netflix.

But, Greg, have any of those reached B'town yet?!

I have no clue why Titan attendance has fallen so dramatically (they were generally always top 3, with 2400+).  They were pretty bad for a few years after that 2006 team, but that no longer seems an excuse unless the 'magic' simply wore off and never returned.  Perhaps the jokes about the 'geriatric' fans were true, and deaths have exceeded new fans?

Q (or anyone), any thoughts?

I don't know if IWU streams their games on the internet but I'm wondering if schools that do so, are suffering at the gate because of it. That might explain why some top attendance schools have seen a loss of fans in recent years.

I think if someone who is close enough to campus and interested enough to tune in on the streamed game (unless they're in class or something), then they'll probably BE at the game.

[knightvision]

WOTS is that Kyle Snoeyink, who I'm told played at Calvin in the mid 2000's, was offered and turned down a position on the coaching staff at Calvin.  Wondering if anyone more intimately connected to the program can confirm or deny this information?  I believe he is freshman boys coach at Lowell and helps out with one of the GR Storm's AAU teams, but other than that don't know much about him....

[sac]

Hope has posted its 2012-2013 schedule (sort of)  http://www.hope.edu/athletics/mbb/

Some highlights:

Opening at the North Central tip-off tournament, opponents yet to be determined.  Logical in-region match-up with North Central if they get that one.  I'm hopeful this becomes a VERY good tournament with the addition of a couple other rumored programs.  Wouldn't expect this to be settled until late summer or even early fall unfortunately.

Hall of Fame Classic:  usual friends Aquinas and Cornerstone
CCIW/MIAA:  usual friends Wheaton and Carthage @ Wheaton this year

Biggest change is the Russ DeVette Tournament  which is now combined with the Holland Sentinel Tournament and played in early Dec.   (Covenant College?, Millikin?, see below)


RDV Tournament:  Hope is playing Illinois Wesleyan on the 21st, unfortunately with 13 days off and exams before this game,   and I'll scoop it and accept the wrath later but they are tentatively scheduled to play Grace Bible on the 22nd.  Yes the Bible Tigers in Orlando.

Last:  Aurora, in-region game so its a good one to have.



In his Hoopsville interview this winter Matt Neil mentioned playing Covenant College and possibly Millikin so look for them at the DeVette/Sentinel tournament.

Only two in-region games for sure (Wheaton/Aurora), but they'll probably pick up one at the NCC tournament, and will likely get one at the DeVette/Sentinel for 4.

[KnightSlappy]

Hope has posted its 2012-2013 schedule (sort of)  http://www.hope.edu/athletics/mbb/

Some highlights:

Opening at the North Central tip-off tournament, opponents yet to be determined.  Logical in-region match-up with North Central if they get that one.  I'm hopeful this becomes a VERY good tournament with the addition of a couple other rumored programs.  Wouldn't expect this to be settled until late summer or even early fall unfortunately.

Hall of Fame Classic:  usual friends Aquinas and Cornerstone
CCIW/MIAA:  usual friends Wheaton and Carthage @ Wheaton this year

Biggest change is the Russ DeVette Tournament  which is now combined with the Holland Sentinel Tournament and played in early Dec.   (Covenant College?, Millikin?, see below)


RDV Tournament:  Hope is playing Illinois Wesleyan on the 21st, unfortunately with 13 days off and exams before this game,   and I'll scoop it and accept the wrath later but they are tentatively scheduled to play Grace Bible on the 22nd.  Yes the Bible Tigers in Orlando.

Last:  Aurora, in-region game so its a good one to have.



In his Hoopsville interview this winter Matt Neil mentioned playing Covenant College and possibly Millikin so look for them at the DeVette/Sentinel tournament.

Only two in-region games for sure (Wheaton/Aurora), but they'll probably pick up one at the NCC tournament, and will likely get one in Holland for 4.

As a 3rd (4th?) year provisional team, Covenant will be an in-region game for Hope (Georgia/Region 3).

[sac]

Astute Hope fans might note both the men and women are playing away the first weekend of next season, which is kind of unusual.

women's schedule  http://www.hope.edu/athletics/wbb/


Hope is hosting the NCAA D3 Volleyball Championships Nov 16, 17 so obviously DeVos Fieldhouse is not available.

[KnightSlappy]

Looks like the Calvin Board of Trustees meeting is/was taking place today.

http://www.calvin.edu/calendar/index.html?id=ccc6e29f-99b2-4b53-9ed9-279f5fb01365&nonjs=1

Football?

[13wapiti]

Saw an early copy of the Spring Arbor University 2012-13 schedule and it showed them playing in the Russ DeVette Tournament 12-7 and 12-8.

[sac]

Saw an early copy of the Spring Arbor University 2012-13 schedule and it showed them playing in the Russ DeVette Tournament 12-7 and 12-8.

SAU should be pretty good next year, graduate one player and have a pretty good quartet of Fr. coming in (or so I'm led to believe)

[hopefan]

If you follow the CCIW room, North Central is expected to be good next year..... lots of size.....

[KnightSlappy]

If you follow the CCIW room, North Central is expected to be good next year..... lots of size.....

They're the Ryan Raburn of D3 basketball. Terrible start, amazing finish.

[Titan Q]

If you follow the CCIW room, North Central is expected to be good next year..... lots of size.....

NCC has won the CCIW the last 2 seasons and returns everyone but their PG (who was good).  They will be very good in 2012-13...just a matter of avoiding their typical bad November/December I guess.

I have no doubt the Cardinals will be picked to win the CCIW.

[northb]

Astute Hope fans might note both the men and women are playing away the first weekend of next season, which is kind of unusual.

women's schedule  http://www.hope.edu/athletics/wbb/


Hope is hosting the NCAA D3 Volleyball Championships Nov 16, 17 so obviously DeVos Fieldhouse is not available.

Are you suggesting some Hope fans are not astute?

[knightvision]

Saw an early copy of the Spring Arbor University 2012-13 schedule and it showed them playing in the Russ DeVette Tournament 12-7 and 12-8.

SAU should be pretty good next year, graduate one player and have a pretty good quartet of Fr. coming in (or so I'm led to believe)

Saw SAU last year--Bellamy (SR) and Hogans (JR) are returning guards who are talented and explosive.  Hogans had a spectacular putback dunk attempt of the variety not seen in the MIAA and Bellamy can shoot it from deep and beat you off the bounce.  Definitely the strength of their team and well worth the price of admission.  Had some big bodies but not much of an offensive presence inside when I saw them.  Their incoming class appears to be guard dominated...

Maybe the SAU and Calvin GM's could orchestrate a salary cap friendly swap to bolster SAU's frontcourt and strengthen Calvin's backcourt?

[sac]

Saw an early copy of the Spring Arbor University 2012-13 schedule and it showed them playing in the Russ DeVette Tournament 12-7 and 12-8.

SAU should be pretty good next year, graduate one player and have a pretty good quartet of Fr. coming in (or so I'm led to believe)

Saw SAU last year--Bellamy (SR) and Hogans (JR) are returning guards who are talented and explosive.  Hogans had a spectacular putback dunk attempt of the variety not seen in the MIAA and Bellamy can shoot it from deep and beat you off the bounce.  Definitely the strength of their team and well worth the price of admission.  Had some big bodies but not much of an offensive presence inside when I saw them.  Their incoming class appears to be guard dominated...

Maybe the SAU and Calvin GM's could orchestrate a salary cap friendly swap to bolster SAU's frontcourt and strengthen Calvin's backcourt?

Hope played @SAU last year, handled them rather easily considering it was Hope's second and something like SAU's 9th game.   http://miaa.org/mbb/stats/1112/1119hosa.htm

[bballfan13]

I heard that the Calvin football decision has been deferred for a year.  The new president will have a year to decide what to do.