MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[neilrocks]

Great 2nd half last night by the Dutchmen and we finally got to see some real Hope basketball - intensity on defense that then creates your offense.  According to the Coach Davelaar post game comments on the radio, Sr Captain Josh Holwerda stepped up at the half and inspired his team to victory.  Hopefully something that not just effected this game, but will drive the season going forward. 

I've noted of late that the 6 seniors on this team have become very vocal in their support of their teammates, whether it is from the bench or while they are on the floor.  I believe these guys have realized this is the time to just play, the last time for them, and despite the disappointing start to the season, they have the talent and the team that can win - the MIAA, the MIAA tournament, and beyond.  And, as noted by sac - great to have you back Snuggs - and I'm extremely happy to hear Nate's comments and commend him for his honesty (there is video of it as well- link below).  I sense this change in attitude not only from him, but the team as a whole.

Only time will tell if this is a "new beginning" for this team, but right now I'm very optimistic.  Go Hope!

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports_videos/x1353229250/HopeAlmaBasketball

FDF, couldn't agree with you more!!!

So glad to see this from Snuggs and agree on the other seniors.

There certainly is a long road to go, but..................I think we may look back at the last 2 weeks for Hope as one of Matt Neil's great teaching moments in his "short" head coaching career.

Finally, even it is doesn't become a "success" in the W/L columns or Championship columns.  I believe Coach Neil has given these young men a "valuable" life lesson that will serve them, well beyond the basketball court.

IMHO, only

[Civic Minded]

Great 2nd half last night by the Dutchmen and we finally got to see some real Hope basketball - intensity on defense that then creates your offense.  According to the Coach Davelaar post game comments on the radio, Sr Captain Josh Holwerda stepped up at the half and inspired his team to victory.  Hopefully something that not just effected this game, but will drive the season going forward. 

I've noted of late that the 6 seniors on this team have become very vocal in their support of their teammates, whether it is from the bench or while they are on the floor.  I believe these guys have realized this is the time to just play, the last time for them, and despite the disappointing start to the season, they have the talent and the team that can win - the MIAA, the MIAA tournament, and beyond.  And, as noted by sac - great to have you back Snuggs - and I'm extremely happy to hear Nate's comments and commend him for his honesty (there is video of it as well- link below).  I sense this change in attitude not only from him, but the team as a whole.

Only time will tell if this is a "new beginning" for this team, but right now I'm very optimistic.  Go Hope!

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports_videos/x1353229250/HopeAlmaBasketball

FDF, couldn't agree with you more!!!

So glad to see this from Snuggs and agree on the other seniors.

There certainly is a long road to go, but..................I think we may look back at the last 2 weeks for Hope as one of Matt Neil's great teaching moments in his "short" head coaching career.

Finally, even it is doesn't become a "success" in the W/L columns or Championship columns.  I believe Coach Neil has given these young men a "valuable" life lesson that will serve them, well beyond the basketball court.

IMHO, only

And in the end, that's the only thing that really matters.  Well said.

[Roundball999]

Here's the Press' version:

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2013/01/hope_men_battle_back_after_slo.html#incart_river_default

Honestly, I don't know what to make of this Hope team. I haven't been impressed with its defense, and the first half was "cover-your-eyes" ugly defensively. Alma was getting good lucks because Hope couldn't stop its dribble-penetration. This was in part a result of curious decisions, but also bad fundamentals. And I mean bad. The second half was a different story, particularly when Hope came out and trapped the first three (why only three?) possessions, but I'm still not sold on this team defensively. Ben Gardner was a gem off the bench. I'm happy to see him on the floor.

The big news of the night was Snuggerud's reemergence. Hope won't go anywhere without him. The freshmen are, well, freshmen: inconsistent and occasionally passive and sometimes have difficulty finishing a play. Snuggs can finish.

To me the most frustrating aspect of this team is the VanArendonk situation. I may be in the minority on this, but I think the kid can play. The problem is that Hope struggles to feed the post. That they can't figure out a way to get him more involved in the offense - he runs the floor well and works hard inside - continues to mystify me. He needs a confidence boost to be sure, but he's not going to get that if he only touches the ball twice a game.

I actually agree with you about NVA.  I think don't think Hope will ever be as good as it can be without NVA and Snuggerud playing starter minutes; I believe their talent significantly surpasses those playing in their place.  But I'm not criticizing Coach Neil here (yet), the key is that they have to be both on the floor and **playing to their ability**, which they have not done so far this year.  The coach is tasked with bringing the best out of them for the benefit of the team and his success in doing that will determine if Hope becomes the very strong team I think people foresaw at the beginning of the year.  Can't tell too much from one game, but perhaps Snuggs has turned a corner.  NVA didn't play much last night, but I liked what I saw in his limited minutes; he was active and altered the game on both ends of the court. I even liked the T he got from covering his teammate's back.

[hoopdreams]

Regardless of my opinions and posts, I am a Hope basketball fan.  I am also a realist...yes, someone already had my poster name of choice.  Although, it was nice to have Snuggs back in the mix, I will hold reservations that last night was a defining moment.  Actions speak louder than words, talk is cheap, blah, blah, blah.  I do agree that much could/ should be learned by the entire roster pertaining to this issue.  Sports is an amazing instructor of life lessons.

This epiphany was against Alma (no disrespect) and I'm guessing Nate was a giant amongst elves, surrounded by other scoring options, so let's not get too carried away with 1 half.

We are talking about a kid who had a rep in hs for being dirty, we are talking about a player who was endured several techs in a hope jersey and is always seemingly the one doing " just a little extra" after a whistle.  We are talking about a CAPTAIN, a senior, an all-conference member who essentially abandoned his team for 1/3 of the season.

Has he matured?  I hope so.  Was he simply tired of sitting on the sidelines? Probably.  He was correct in stating that the best part is simply being out there with his teammates.  Hopefully hope fans will see many more little fist pumps along the way.  I personally, would rather see a swift Snuggs elbow to someone's face stating..."we're not losing this game, bitch".

[neilrocks]

Regardless of my opinions and posts, I am a Hope basketball fan.  I am also a realist...yes, someone already had my poster name of choice.  Although, it was nice to have Snuggs back in the mix, I will hold reservations that last night was a defining moment.  Actions speak louder than words, talk is cheap, blah, blah, blah.  I do agree that much could/ should be learned by the entire roster pertaining to this issue.  Sports is an amazing instructor of life lessons.

This epiphany was against Alma (no disrespect) and I'm guessing Nate was a giant amongst elves, surrounded by other scoring options, so let's not get too carried away with 1 half.

We are talking about a kid who had a rep in hs for being dirty, we are talking about a player who was endured several techs in a hope jersey and is always seemingly the one doing " just a little extra" after a whistle.  We are talking about a CAPTAIN, a senior, an all-conference member who essentially abandoned his team for 1/3 of the season.

Has he matured?  I hope so.  Was he simply tired of sitting on the sidelines? Probably.  He was correct in stating that the best part is simply being out there with his teammates.  Hopefully hope fans will see many more little fist pumps along the way.  I personally, would rather see a swift Snuggs elbow to someone's face stating..."we're not losing this game, bitch".

Hoopdreams, I am a Hope fan too.  And I "usually" enjoy your posts.

Let me just state, I said I liked seeing it...........We may look back...........And I hope this is a lesson for life.

I don't disagree with some of your assessment and "reasoning" for the change and it is only one game.

The thing I like the most is...............he talked with his coach and listened and "hopefully" learned.  He was willing to publically admit he was wrong and needed an attitude adjustment.  We all make mistakes (trust me, I have made plenty myself), but the first thing is recognizing them (most times with the help of someone else who you respect, pointing them out) and then if you effected others, publically acknowledging that.

I say, great first step Snuggs............and here is hoping for more halfs like that one over the next 15 games.

I will leave the elbow and your statement following to you hoopdreams.

[sac]

Hope's Colton Overway is leading the MIAA in rebounding.  How many times do you ever see a double-double from a point guard that way?

11 points, 11 rebounds last night.

[goodknight]

The only thing that surprised me about this entire circumstance is how high Adrian was in our last poll. Yikes. Good correction upcoming.

It was a 6 point loss, on the road, to a good team.   

That's the truth.  I don't know how Adrian will respond to this loss and perform over the next 13 games of the regular conference schedule, but it would not surprise me if they win 10 or more games.  Heck, they might run the table after this. Mark White is a first-rate coach with a great system and a number of high-quality players. The Knights bottled up Romain last night, but he's a talent and will go off on many teams before it's over.

[HopeConvert]

Hope's Colton Overway is leading the MIAA in rebounding.  How many times do you ever see a double-double from a point guard that way?

11 points, 11 rebounds last night.

I commented on this last night to another poster. The reason he's getting so many rebounds is because he's constantly trailing the play. When your guy is beating you off the dribble and going to the hoop, and you're two steps behind him, you're going to grab more than a few. It's not a good sign that he's getting that many rebounds.

[hoopdreams]

I concur....I do hope that Nate learned a lesson and a valuable one.  It will continue to bother me that it even happened ( this is my own struggle) because he had the keys to the kingdom AND he was a captain.  He is not a 14 year old nor a freshman on Hope's roster struggling with his role or minutes.  Great first step....yes.  Still can't grasp why it occurred...yes.

Yours truly has made plenty of "poor" judgements in my life as well but if we are going to equate it to a 12 step recovery program, then we must also be realistic in the potential of a relapse.  Fortunately he has a great mentor....how would this situation have played out 5 years ago with another great mentor but completely different approach?  He also has a brotherhood that should keep him accountable, but where were they when this unfolded?   Once again, a valuable lesson for the entire team.

In response to a PM pertaining to "the elbow".  I am all for playing with an attitude or a chip on your shoulder...as long as one is not dirty, disrespectful or a distraction to what his/her team is striving to accomplish.  We are taught from a young age that when you obtain the ball, via rebound, loose ball, etc... bring said ball to your chest, elbows out.  when one pivots, look out.   Snuggs is the master of using his bow's.

All "A-hole" team from recent memory... The guys you hate to play against and hate to have your team play but love to have in your foxhole
PG- DVS
SG- D. Griffin
Wing- B. Schnyders
4- K. Kazen (drug-free of course)
5- Snuggs

I could easily come up with a few reserves too ...

[KnightSlappy]

The only thing that surprised me about this entire circumstance is how high Adrian was in our last poll. Yikes. Good correction upcoming.

It was a 6 point loss, on the road, to a good team.   

That's the truth.  I don't know how Adrian will respond to this loss and perform over the next 15 games of the regular conference schedule, but it would not surprise me if they win a baker's dozen or more games.  Heck, they might run the table after this. Mark White is a first-rate coach with a great system and a number of high-quality players. The Knights bottled up Romain last night, but he's a talent and will go off on many teams before it's over.

I see they hoodwinked you into purchasing the extended season ticket package! Alas, only 13 conference games remain.

[pointlem]

To me the most frustrating aspect of this team is the VanArendonk situation. I may be in the minority on this, but I think the kid can play. The problem is that Hope struggles to feed the post. That they can't figure out a way to get him more involved in the offense - he runs the floor well and works hard inside - continues to mystify me. He needs a confidence boost to be sure, but he's not going to get that if he only touches the ball twice a game.

I'm with you, HopeConvert . . . NVA can alter shots, get rebounds, and start fast-breaks in a way that's less likely when a 6' 3" post? player (even one who is an excellent shooter) comes in with Nate S., to replace the starting post players.  (But then I remind myself that coaches see and know a lot more than I do.)

[realist]

I said before I didn't for a moment believe that Hope was anywhere near needing time in an ICU.  A little trip to the ER or the woodshed has probably had the desired outcome.
To me the point is Hope is now a deeper/more experienced team than they would have been if this kerfuffle had never occurred.
Benson, Eidson et.al coming off the bench as inexperienced fr. was much more appealing than having to deal with either them now, or the very experienced guys they replaced.

[almcguirejr]

Good article on Jordan Brink: http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2013/01/shoulder_surgery_helps_calvin.html#incart_river_default

[KnightSlappy]

Saturday score predictions as calculated by raw efficiency numbers:

Calvin 73, Albion 57
Adrian 65, Hope 58
Olivet 71, Kalamazoo 64
Trine 76, Alma 63 -- this one is probably most affected by relative schedule strengths, expect Alma to be closer

[almcguirejr]

It is great to see the situation with Snuggerud's "back injury" has been cleared up.  I am going to go out on a limb and predict he starts all of Hope's remaining games and wins MVP of the league.