MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ziggy]

I agree there was an element of "scoreboard watching" by Calvin players last night. Some people seated in the stands were doing the same thing, as we awaited the final score (but not the outcome). Calvin played hard on every possession against Adrian because every possession meant something in that game. That wasn't true last night. I don't mean to denigrate the importance of stressing to your team the value of playing each possession with the same passion; but these kids are human and you need to cut them just a little slack sometimes and be realistic about human behavior.

Makes me think that things are going well when we can bitch about a 20 point win over Albion.

I guess it might seem odd when considering just last night's game but I think it makes sense to bring a little criticism when considering the season in total. There have been plenty of games this season in which Calvin could have mailed it in in the second half but they didn't and stayed after it defensively. KVS has seemed more than pleased to give his team full credit when that has happened so he hasn't been one of those coaches that can't ever be pleased.

Calvin has proven themselves to be good this season. Now we're getting to the point in the year where they can start to define themselves as great and KVS has given them an issue through which they can decide if good is enough or if they want to be great.

[KnightSlappy]

I agree there was an element of "scoreboard watching" by Calvin players last night. Some people seated in the stands were doing the same thing, as we awaited the final score (but not the outcome). Calvin played hard on every possession against Adrian because every possession meant something in that game. That wasn't true last night. I don't mean to denigrate the importance of stressing to your team the value of playing each possession with the same passion; but these kids are human and you need to cut them just a little slack sometimes and be realistic about human behavior.

Makes me think that things are going well when we can bitch about a 20 point win over Albion.

Agree completely.

KVS also mentioned that "this year will be over in the blink of an eye" and that perhaps the players "don't yet know what they have" (not in a critical way).

It sounded like KVS knows this team is having a special year -- and could do special things -- but wants to instill the thought that every possession in every game is extremely important. It's natural to relax a bit in big wins against bad teams, but they're not going to be able to do that in the MIAA and NCAA tournament. It's going to be over quickly, and he doesn't want the kids to have any regrets.

Calvin has proven themselves to be good this season. Now we're getting to the point in the year where they can start to define themselves as great and KVS has given them an issue through which they can decide if good is enough or if they want to be great.

I think this is it.

[oldknight]

I agree there was an element of "scoreboard watching" by Calvin players last night. Some people seated in the stands were doing the same thing, as we awaited the final score (but not the outcome). Calvin played hard on every possession against Adrian because every possession meant something in that game. That wasn't true last night. I don't mean to denigrate the importance of stressing to your team the value of playing each possession with the same passion; but these kids are human and you need to cut them just a little slack sometimes and be realistic about human behavior.

Makes me think that things are going well when we can bitch about a 20 point win over Albion.

I guess it might seem odd when considering just last night's game but I think it makes sense to bring a little criticism when considering the season in total. There have been plenty of games this season in which Calvin could have mailed it in in the second half but they didn't and stayed after it defensively. KVS has seemed more than pleased to give his team full credit when that has happened so he hasn't been one of those coaches that can't ever be pleased.

Calvin has proven themselves to be good this season. Now we're getting to the point in the year where they can start to define themselves as great and KVS has given them an issue through which they can decide if good is enough or if they want to be great.

A very valid point. The psychology of coaching is a subject I find fascinating and in which I am increasingly interested. Not that I am in favor of just rolling out the balls and letting them play, but I'm getting to the point that I think how you express yourself to the team is more important than the content of your words--no matter how brilliant and true. There was a West Michigan high school coach (recently retired) who was as good as they come in understanding and teaching the game. He always had excellent teams but they typically collapsed during tournament time against lesser competition after solid regular season records. I asked a high school coach I know (himself no shrinking violet) why that was the case and he said, "Because he harped on his player's deficiencies all season long and when it came to tournament time they tuned him out and quit; his kids no longer believed they could do anything right." Despite Calvin's lost weekend at Wheaton (or maybe because of it) the Knights have become a darn good team that has played very well in close games ever since.

[knightvision]

I missed the game tonight but did catch the KVS post game interview.  He was not pleased with the defense. 

I'm assuming he's referring to the second half when Calvin gave up 38 points. But that was after the air went out of the balloon once Calvin blitzed Albion the last ten minutes of the first half and then coasted during stretches of the second 20 minutes. Other than a slow start on the offensive end, I didn't think there was much to bitch about when it came to how the Knights played the opening half as Calvin's defense repeatedly challenged would be scorers in the lane, blocking six shots and altering several others.

I agree there was an element of "scoreboard watching" by Calvin players last night. Some people seated in the stands were doing the same thing, as we awaited the final score (but not the outcome). Calvin played hard on every possession against Adrian because every possession meant something in that game. That wasn't true last night. I don't mean to denigrate the importance of stressing to your team the value of playing each possession with the same passion; but these kids are human and you need to cut them just a little slack sometimes and be realistic about human behavior.

Makes me think that things are going well when we can bitch about a 20 point win over Albion.

ok - Dude, that is some bitchin commentary you got goin on!   (urbandictionary definition of bitchin - similar to "awesome" or "badass").  For all the talk of your advanced age, your ability to connect with the younger generation on this board is quite impressive--add an "in" to your stuff and you'll be a rock star! 

sac - you're right, Overway is in pretty elite company looking at your chart of the Hope single season assist leaders. Personally, I'd probably pick Holstege over Schuiling if forced to choose who I'd rather play with--but only by a whisker.  Schuiling was probably a better shooter, but in terms of being a facilitator and making others around him better, I'd have to go with Holstege.  I trust that David Meulenberg still sends Joel a Christmas card every year  

[knightvision]

In quoting ok in the previous post, I managed to have my post look like it's a quote from ok-and I just tried but don't know how to change it.   If anyone can either let me know how to correct it or fix it themselves, I'd appreciate it.  Sorry for the confusion....

[goodknight]

In quoting ok in the previous post, I managed to have my post look like it's a quote from ok-and I just tried but don't know how to change it.   If anyone can either let me know how to correct it or fix it themselves, I'd appreciate it.  Sorry for the confusion....

That's the OK I know, the man with the bitchin' vocab, and just some mad skillz in general.   

[oldknight]

In quoting ok in the previous post, I managed to have my post look like it's a quote from ok-and I just tried but don't know how to change it.   If anyone can either let me know how to correct it or fix it themselves, I'd appreciate it.  Sorry for the confusion....

Not wanting to be associated with any quote that makes you sound like OK is indeed the sign of a wise poster.

[Gregory Sager]

He's not a wise poster. He's an OK poster.

[knightvision]

He's not a wise poster. He's an OK poster.

...or maybe an OK poser? 

[KnightSlappy]

Calvin's win on Wednesday clinched them an MIAA tournament spot.

[arena]

Calvin's win on Wednesday clinched them an MIAA tournament spot.

Whoooo-Hoooooo.  Almost 1 of 3 down.

[ziggy]

In quoting ok in the previous post, I managed to have my post look like it's a quote from ok-and I just tried but don't know how to change it.   If anyone can either let me know how to correct it or fix it themselves, I'd appreciate it.  Sorry for the confusion....

Make sure your text is after the last [/quote] you see when you go to reply. There may be multiple depending on how many responses with quotes are nested in your response.

[GoKnights68]

Calvin's win on Wednesday clinched them an MIAA tournament spot.

Quite different than last year when Calvin was lucky to just sneak in.

[wiz]

#1 Rochester struggling tonight. 

[knights2000]

Via Calvin's sports twitter page (@CalvinKnights) the women's game against Trine has been postponed but the men are currently still scheduled to play.