MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Ahhh - I can faintly hear the sound of squeaky shoes and swishing nets - let the practices begin!!!

[maroonandgold]

quote from Oldknight

I recommend reading KnightSlappy's Forever Faithful blog post of October 1. It's early, and maybe you'll find a nit to pick, but it's a pretty fair summary at this point.

After re-reading the Forever Faithful blog, it occurred to me that there is no mention of B J Van Loo.  Is that because he, like the freshmen, is new to the team?  Did he complete the transfer to Calvin, and is he eligible to play this fall?

[KnightSlappy]

quote from Oldknight

I recommend reading KnightSlappy's Forever Faithful blog post of October 1. It's early, and maybe you'll find a nit to pick, but it's a pretty fair summary at this point.

After re-reading the Forever Faithful blog, it occurred to me that there is no mention of B J Van Loo.  Is that because he, like the freshmen, is new to the team?  Did he complete the transfer to Calvin, and is he eligible to play this fall?

The author is (probably unduly) shy when it comes to speculating about players who have never played for the program.

[sac]

I would be pretty surprised if Michael Welch was not a part of Calvin's varsity.

[maroonandgold]

sac


08:18:21 pm   

I would be pretty surprised if Michael Welch was not a part of Calvin's varsity.

Interesting comment, especially because he appears to be a player who fits at a position that seems to be loaded with talented players.  Are you thinking that he is good enough to be a part of the already crowded rotation?  Is he someone who would fit well in the shooting forward position?  With all of the freshman throughout the league who really sound ready to contribute, it will be the kind of rebuilding year that others have predicted.  But the big question is always, "Which of them will really play as freshmen?"  It appears that there will be more freshmen players seeing significant playing time than in recent memory.

[oldknight]

quote from Oldknight

I recommend reading KnightSlappy's Forever Faithful blog post of October 1. It's early, and maybe you'll find a nit to pick, but it's a pretty fair summary at this point.

After re-reading the Forever Faithful blog, it occurred to me that there is no mention of B J Van Loo.  Is that because he, like the freshmen, is new to the team?  Did he complete the transfer to Calvin, and is he eligible to play this fall?

The author is (probably unduly) shy when it comes to speculating about players who have never played for the program.

I would say the author is "appropriately cautious." It's going to be tough for any newcomer vying for time at a frontcourt position to break in. Freshmen Michael Welch may actually see more floor time than Van Loo because Welch is more athletic and a couple of inches taller. After Kruis and DeVries leave school we should see both these newcomers get significantly more playing time.

[sac]

Nice little write-up on Kzoo's Eric Fishman's professional tryouts in Israel

http://hornets.kzoo.edu/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/20131011utxn8z

[goodknight]

quote from Oldknight

I recommend reading KnightSlappy's Forever Faithful blog post of October 1. It's early, and maybe you'll find a nit to pick, but it's a pretty fair summary at this point.

After re-reading the Forever Faithful blog, it occurred to me that there is no mention of B J Van Loo.  Is that because he, like the freshmen, is new to the team?  Did he complete the transfer to Calvin, and is he eligible to play this fall?

The author is (probably unduly) shy when it comes to speculating about players who have never played for the program.

I would say the author is "appropriately cautious." It's going to be tough for any newcomer vying for time at a frontcourt position to break in. Freshmen Michael Welch may actually see more floor time than Van Loo because Welch is more athletic and a couple of inches taller. After Kruis and DeVries leave school we should see both these newcomers get significantly more playing time.

My sources inside the Van Noord Arena indicate that B.J. Van Loo is indeed trying out for the team, and looks like someone who could contribute significant minutes this year to the varsity.  Ditto for Welch.

[KnightSlappy]

quote from Oldknight

I recommend reading KnightSlappy's Forever Faithful blog post of October 1. It's early, and maybe you'll find a nit to pick, but it's a pretty fair summary at this point.

After re-reading the Forever Faithful blog, it occurred to me that there is no mention of B J Van Loo.  Is that because he, like the freshmen, is new to the team?  Did he complete the transfer to Calvin, and is he eligible to play this fall?

The author is (probably unduly) shy when it comes to speculating about players who have never played for the program.

I would say the author is "appropriately cautious." It's going to be tough for any newcomer vying for time at a frontcourt position to break in. Freshmen Michael Welch may actually see more floor time than Van Loo because Welch is more athletic and a couple of inches taller. After Kruis and DeVries leave school we should see both these newcomers get significantly more playing time.

My sources inside the Van Noord Arena indicate that B.J. Van Loo is indeed trying out for the team, and looks like someone who could contribute significant minutes this year to the varsity.  Ditto for Welch.

I think this is the really interesting thing about Calvin in the upcoming season. They really need 0 new forwards to step up and provide quality minutes, but they could find quality playing time for up to 2 new forwards if they deserve it.

[sac]

Is it necessary to find playing time for them to be valuable members of the team?  Isn't it just as valuable to them and their teammates to be practicing with the varsity rather than playing Junior Varsity if they are good enough?

Being tall and deep at being tall is not a bad thing in D3.

[sac]

Albion's schedule hasn't changed to reflect it but they will be opening with Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Friday Nov 15.  On Sunday Nov 17 they'll play College of Faith. 

I presume then its a 3 team tournament with Mt. Vernon and CofF squaring off on Saturday in front of a packed Kresge Gymnasium crowd.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



WHAC pre-season poll, miaa opponents in bold

Rank    Team    Total
Points
1    Davenport (10)        142
2    Madonna (2)            131
3    Cornerstone            119
4    Lourdes                    97
5    Northwestern Ohio    94
6    Indiana Tech            91
7    Aquinas                    70
8    Concordia            65
9    Siena Heights          46
10    Marygrove            31
11    Lawrence Tech    28
12    Michigan-Dearborn    22

[pointlem]

Kudos and thanks to KnightSlappy and to Sac for continuing their blogs, both of which have been informative and enjoyable. 

[KnightSlappy]

Is it necessary to find playing time for them to be valuable members of the team?  Isn't it just as valuable to them and their teammates to be practicing with the varsity rather than playing Junior Varsity if they are good enough?

Being tall and deep at being tall is not a bad thing in D3.

KVS' strategy seems to be to put the "good enough" freshmen on Varsity (to create the best possible 14 or 15 man roster) but then also get them into JV games if they're not going to be in the regular rotation.

I'm not sure how these players split practice, that has to be tough, but my guess is that practice is centered around rotation players 1-10 more than 11-14 anyway.

[goodknight]

Is it necessary to find playing time for them to be valuable members of the team?  Isn't it just as valuable to them and their teammates to be practicing with the varsity rather than playing Junior Varsity if they are good enough?

Being tall and deep at being tall is not a bad thing in D3.

KVS' strategy seems to be to put the "good enough" freshmen on Varsity (to create the best possible 14 or 15 man roster) but then also get them into JV games if they're not going to be in the regular rotation.

I'm not sure how these players split practice, that has to be tough, but my guess is that practice is centered around rotation players 1-10 more than 11-14 anyway.

The freshman "good enough" to make the varsity this year have been anointed, according to my sources:

Michael Welch, a 6-7 wing from Stevensville-Lakeshore
Danny Leach, a 6-0 point guard from Timothy Christian in Elmhurst, IL
Brad Visser, a 6-3 shooting guard from Calvin Christian in Grandville

The varsity and JV rosters have not yet been posted on the Calvin website, but the cuts have been determined.

[almcguirejr]

Is it necessary to find playing time for them to be valuable members of the team?  Isn't it just as valuable to them and their teammates to be practicing with the varsity rather than playing Junior Varsity if they are good enough?

Being tall and deep at being tall is not a bad thing in D3.

KVS' strategy seems to be to put the "good enough" freshmen on Varsity (to create the best possible 14 or 15 man roster) but then also get them into JV games if they're not going to be in the regular rotation.

I'm not sure how these players split practice, that has to be tough, but my guess is that practice is centered around rotation players 1-10 more than 11-14 anyway.

The freshman "good enough" to make the varsity this year have been anointed, according to my sources:

Michael Welch, a 6-7 wing from Stevensville-Lakeshore
Danny Leach, a 6-0 point guard from Timothy Christian in Elmhurst, IL
Brad Visser, a 6-3 shooting guard from Calvin Christian in Grandville

The varsity and JV rosters have not yet been posted on the Calvin website, but the cuts have been determined.

I saw Leach play a couple times.  He was a streaky shooter.  He will need to improve ball handling and defense to get playing time IMO.