MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[KnightSlappy]

The return of Jordan Brink is the biggest possible improvement in the shooting and ball handling departments.

Jordan Brink is a one not a two. Jordan Brink is a one not a two. (say it with me now) Jordan Brink is a one not a two!

My biggest fear is that he'll be used as the starting "two guard" and will see limited action at the point. Because he should really be the starting point guard with only limited action at the two spot. Because I like when there are five scoring threats on the floor and not only four.

[maroonandgold]

Calvin's roster has typically started off with 14 players, but has expanded to 15 in recent years due to injuries.

Jalen Brinks is not a person that I'm aware of. 

Jordan Brink is on the team. Jalen Bouma transferred to Calvin from Eastern Michigan (where he played baseball), but it is not known to me whether or not he went out for the team.

Jordan Brink is a one not a two. Jordan Brink is a one not a two. (say it with me now) Jordan Brink is a one not a two!

My biggest fear is that he'll be used as the starting "two guard" and will see limited action at the point. Because he should really be the starting point guard with only limited action at the two spot. Because I like when there are five scoring threats on the floor and not only four.


Thanks for the correction on Jalen Bouma, which was the name I intended to list.  (Apparently Dutch names are are not all interchangeable.)  As far as your comment about where to play Jordan Brink, I would agree that it is a big advantage to have 5 scoring threats.  But I am concerned about at least having one at the "shooting guard" position.  Last year's fill-ins with players who were really forwards just did not do the job.  If Brink is used as point guard, which he does very well, who would be available as a "shooting guard" who could provide some range?  I could see Powell as a sub "shooting guard" better than as a point guard because of his ball handling problems.  But he has not shown the consistency to be a starter in the three years he has been at Calvin.  I like Nadeau and Rietema as ball handlers and point guards.  T. J. Huizinga has really impressed as an all around player.  But I have trouble seeing anyone other than Brink as a really good shooter with the range to play the "shooting guard" spot.

[KnightSlappy]

As far as your comment about where to play Jordan Brink, I would agree that it is a big advantage to have 5 scoring threats.  But I am concerned about at least having one at the "shooting guard" position.  Last year's fill-ins with players who were really forwards just did not do the job.  If Brink is used as point guard, which he does very well, who would be available as a "shooting guard" who could provide some range?  I could see Powell as a sub "shooting guard" better than as a point guard because of his ball handling problems.  But he has not shown the consistency to be a starter in the three years he has been at Calvin.  I like Nadeau and Rietema as ball handlers and point guards.  T. J. Huizinga has really impressed as an all around player.  But I have trouble seeing anyone other than Brink as a really good shooter with the range to play the "shooting guard" spot.

Matt DeBoer was the nominal starter at the SG spot last year. He and Jordan Mast are both of the "G/F" type tweeners, but they both shot over 42% on three pointers (a combined 35-78 on the year). That's not a ton of attempts, but it's a killer percentage.

Powell, conversely, is built more like a shooting guard, but he can't shoot the three ball, and scores well when he can get to the rack.

Fun fact: the Jordans (Mast and Brink) are the top two Knights in career 3pt% (since 1998, min 50 attempts).

Another fun fact: 14 Knights have a career 3pt% of .400 or better (since 1998, min 30 attempts). Four of them will be on the team this upcoming season (Mast, Brink, DeBoer, Vallie)

[maroonandgold]

Matt DeBoer was the nominal starter at the SG spot last year. He and Jordan Mast are both of the "G/F" type tweeners, but they both shot over 42% on three pointers (a combined 35-78 on the year). That's not a ton of attempts, but it's a killer percentage.

Powell, conversely, is built more like a shooting guard, but he can't shoot the three ball, and scores well when he can get to the rack.

Fun fact: the Jordans (Mast and Brink) are the top two Knights in career 3pt% (since 1998, min 50 attempts).

Another fun fact: 14 Knights have a career 3pt% of .400 or better (since 1998, min 30 attempts). Four of them will be on the team this upcoming season (Mast, Brink, DeBoer, Vallie)[/color]

Good answer!  I remembered that DeBoer was a high percentage shooter, but I did not recall that his percentage was that good at threes.  Mast I remembered as very high percentage once he gets enough room.  I wonder if he will develop the strength to jump on his jumper this year.  Vallie is the most athletic of the three mentioned in my opinion.  Maybe he could be a successsful shooting guard?  What does not jive with my memory is Matt De Boer starting at shooting guard at all.  Wasn't he always introduced as a forward and Haverdink as the guard?  In fact, I don't recall Matt playing much in the guard position, but I agree he would be a strong option there.  Having him at guard makes sense with all of the options we have with taller men at forward positions.

[KnightSlappy]

Matt DeBoer was the nominal starter at the SG spot last year. He and Jordan Mast are both of the "G/F" type tweeners, but they both shot over 42% on three pointers (a combined 35-78 on the year). That's not a ton of attempts, but it's a killer percentage.

Powell, conversely, is built more like a shooting guard, but he can't shoot the three ball, and scores well when he can get to the rack.

Fun fact: the Jordans (Mast and Brink) are the top two Knights in career 3pt% (since 1998, min 50 attempts).

Another fun fact: 14 Knights have a career 3pt% of .400 or better (since 1998, min 30 attempts). Four of them will be on the team this upcoming season (Mast, Brink, DeBoer, Vallie)

What does not jive with my memory is Matt De Boer starting at shooting guard at all.  Wasn't he always introduced as a forward and Haverdink as the guard?

Yeah, mostly true actually.

There were 9 games in which Haverdink didn't start. DeBoer was probably the "SG" in five of them, and in four of them both he and Mast started, so take your pick. I don't know why those 9 games in the middle dominated my memory, but they did.

I do tend to think of DeBoer as more of a "3", but per the discussion on Hope's Wittenbach, perhaps "wing" is a more apt description.

[maroonandgold]

Another fun fact: 14 Knights have a career 3pt% of .400 or better (since 1998, min 30 attempts). Four of them will be on the team this upcoming season (Mast, Brink, DeBoer, Vallie)

The concept of playing DeBoer and Mast at shooting guard sounds good from a scoring perspective during large parts of most games.  But I see problems with ball handling in games in which the opponent is pressing and has extremely active guards.  In those games Rietema and possibly Nadeau may play more important parts.  It will be interesting to see who starts and gets the most playing time.  Based on what happened last year, expect to see DeBoer starting at forward and Rietema at point guard.  But having shooters at both guard spots has more appeal.

[oldknight]

It has gotten increasingly difficult to notice the distinction between 1's, 2's, 3's, etc. Game introductions typically name players as guards, forwards and centers (or, the cringe-worthy, "man in the middle"), but because so many players straddle responsibilities in today's college game, it doesn't make much difference in many cases. Teams are well served when they have a stable full of players who can handle several responsibities. Take Hope players Bunn, Seiler and Logan from last season. Which of these guys was the 2 and which the 3? I couldn't tell you that's for sure. Even Krombeen, who seemed to be the obvious point on that squad, would often run the baseline on offense as if he he was a wing, and his ability to do so effectively enhanced his game and his team's prospects.

My cautious optimism about this year's Calvin team is the fact that--now they are healthy again--they seem to have a lot of players with multiple position skills, along with a lot of experience. There are 9 players on Calvin's current team who have started at least one game. Player losses from last year made for a painful season, but it forced a lot of players to play meaningful minutes. Time will tell if that pain will produce results.

[goodknight]

Jalen Bouma is enrolled at Calvin, but he decided this summer to put focus on academics and a single sport -- baseball, which also happens to be his strongest suit athletically.
Austin Parks, I've heard, was impressive in tryouts, but will play on Calvin's JV team this year.
Expect the varsity and junior varsity rosters to be posted on the Calvin website in the next day or two. 

[Chief]

Name one coach that is a better coach and/or person than KVS. Name one!

[realist]

Calvin roster now posted.
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/mens/basketball/roster.htm

[Galahad]

Calvin roster now posted.
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/mens/basketball/roster.htm

Interesting it currently lists 17 on varsity including 3 unnumbered freshmen.

[sac]

How about a blast from the past, former Alma Head Coach Ed Kohtala has new job.

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/08/22/sports/basketball/ed-kohtala-named-to-succeed-roger-reed-as-bangor-boys-basketball-coach/

[oldknight]

Calvin roster now posted.
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/mens/basketball/roster.htm

Interesting it currently lists 17 on varsity including 3 unnumbered freshmen.

It's really a fourteen person roster. The three unnumbered freshmen (Landsgaard, Brower and Parks) are also listed as JV players so I think you can expect them to do little more than lengthen the bench during varsity games. Absent attrition, they are unlikely to get anything more than token minutes in a couple of varsity games this year. Jordan Daley is the only freshmen who is strictly listed as a varsity player.

[Knight2Day]

First, I apologize if I offended a few Calvin fans with my prediction (though it is a pretty good prediction). My intent is not to offend individuals though I'm sure hoopdreams and other would love to think so. I guess the people who have messaged me agreeing with me will be the only people appreciating my insight.

Second, hoopdreams, incorrect. I am not Tim Katt though I'll relay your feelings to him

Third, KS, while you have zero idea who I am, I very definitely know who you are and that you had nothing to do with basketball at Calvin except write your blog and post on this site. If I didn't play, why would I know locker room feelings and how ridiculously difficult it is to learn that obsurd defensive system?

Name one coach that is a better coach and/or person than KVS. Name one!

In response to you Chief, I actually have made it clear on multiple occasions on this site and to the people in the athletic department that I think KVS is a great Christian man, father, and professor, I just severely severely severely question his coaching ability. If you're asking for better coaches currently at Calvin, throw a dart at a board, men's and women's soccer are both perennial national powers, T&F an XC the same story, as well as volleyball (who will probably win another natty this year) and swimming, none of which get the headway basketball does (no knock on basketball). If your talking basketball coaches, Douma for starters but we won't dive into that.

Have a splendid week all, gosh this is fun. 

[maroonandgold]

It's really a fourteen person roster. The three unnumbered freshmen (Landsgaard, Brower and Parks) are also listed as JV players so I think you can expect them to do little more than lengthen the bench during varsity games. Absent attrition, they are unlikely to get anything more than token minutes in a couple of varsity games this year. Jordan Daley is the only freshmen who is strictly listed as a varsity player.

Does anyone know whether Brock Benson and Ben Garner at Hope and Jordan Daly at Calvin stand a strong likelihood of being the the regular rotations?   From earlier descriptions I understand that Ben Garner is both a good shooter and an excellent point guard.  What about Brock Benson and Jordan Daley?  What are their strengths?  Are they primarily scorers, slashers, ball handlers, defenders, or do they have the complete game?  Is Daley more likely a point guard or a shooting guard?