MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[oldknight]

Calvin wins a high energy, high scoring affair over Kuyper 105-86. Kuyper proved to be far more entertaining and competitive than I thought they would be and won my respect. At times they took it right to Calvin defenders, and opened a quick 9-0 lead before Calvin could score their first points nearly four minutes in. Once Calvin began scoring they didn't stop, as Kuyper simply doesn't have the horses to contain the Knights.

Kuyper does a very nice job of spreading the floor and attacking with dribble penetration while Calvin started lethargic, content to simply to pass around the perimeter and hope a big guy would get open inside. It didn't work and the Knights eventually figured out that they would have to force some action themselves to keep pace. Calvin took a 51-36 lead into the locker room but Kuyper didn't exactly fold the tent scoring 50 second half points, and twice closing the gap to 12-13 points. Calvin's defense was pretty disappointing but the Cougars did hit some very difficult shots, testing even the most stout Calvinist's belief that luck is never possible in this world. The game was fast paced and each team shot well--Kuyper over 50% and Calvin 60%. Not surprisingly, the Knights ruled the boards 40-20.

A few other game notes:

--Very early in Calvin's first offensive possession, Tyler Kruis fired up a quick and totally unnecessary 3 ball. I immediately thought of KnightSlappy's analysis and considered that maybe I should apologize to him. Fortunately I didn't see him anywhere at VNA. Tyler went on the shoot three more triples and wound up the night 0-4 from beyond the arc.

--Calvin's backcourt had a productive scoring night--Daley had 17, Brink 15, and Parks 13. But as much as it pains me to say this, it just seems the offense runs much more smoothly when Brink runs the point. Jordan had 6 assists and put more pressure on Kuyper's defense with dribble penetration than from the arc where he hit 2-3 long ones. Given his substantial experience I guess we shouldn't be surprised. Until Daley and/or Parks develops consistency--which comes with experience--I think we are likely to see the point position run by committee.

--Parks had an excellent second half. The first one or two possessions after Kuyper slapped on the press, the Knights struggled but once they figured out how to quickly get the ball to Austin in the middle of the floor, he totally neutralized Kuyper's defense and dished out several assists, with Mickey DeVries the primary beneficiary. Parks also drilled 3-4 from the arc.

--Speaking of DeVries, he looks like a senior primed for a big year, going 11-13 from the floor and ruling the boards.

--Freshmen Brad Visser came in late and calmly drained his first look in a Calvin uniform, a three ball. I think it's likely he will see a lot of action once Jordan Brink hangs it up.

[sac]

Carthage 84  Alma  78

The Scots stayed right with Carthage most of the way.  Once again the MIAA team is heavily out-shot at the FT line, in this one Carthage enjoyed a +20 advantage in FT shots made.

Law 20, Beckman 15, Nikodemski 14, Krause 10

[KnightSlappy]

Very early in Calvin's first offensive possession, Tyler Kruis fired up a quick and totally unnecessary 3 ball. I immediately thought of KnightSlappy's analysis and considered that maybe I should apologize to him. Fortunately I didn't see him anywhere at VNA. Tyler went on the shoot three more triples and wound up the night 0-4 from beyond the arc.

KnightSlappy was there, but KnightSlappy doesn't like saying I told you so. Kruis was 4-5 from in close, 1-4 on two-pt jumpers, and 0-4 on three-point jumpers.

The defense needs to play better, but Kuyper also got several (several, several) points by drawing contact, chucking the ball up at the rim... and making the shot.

The final margin of 19 was closer than I wanted it to be (all defense), but finishing on a 105-77 run was about right.

Kyle MacDonald was nowhere to be found.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Some thoughts from last nights game at UWW

Disappointing loss for sure, but given it was game 1 on the road at the #13 team who was playing their 3rd game, Hope played well for most of this game. 5 minute stretch of poor play late in the second half sealed this one.

Ben Gardner appears to be stronger and with his ability to go to the hoop, I look for a great year from the sophomore point guard.

The offense looked mechanical at times - guys thinking too much leading to it stalling. Typical early season game stuff when you have so many new pieces.

This team is really young. NVA was the only guy who played that had more than 1 year of varsity experience.  That's a seriously young team that will certainly benefit from these kind of games and the return of Byers and Neil.

Harrison Blackledge, Cody Stuive, and Keith Brushwyler are going to be impact players for this team this year. They are freshman and make some freshman mistakes, but also look to learn quickly and have good heads for the game. Harrison starting is legit - the kid can play.

Sam Otto was the biggest surprise for me. Came off the bench to play big minutes, and played very well.  Athletic guy who can shoot the three and go to the rim.

So on to UWSP. Nothing like opening your season with a really tough game only to follow it the next day with a more difficult one. But I truly believe that with this young team, the lessons learned this weekend will payoff. I see this team improving dramatically from game to game.

Time to go get some payback for our VB team and beat UWSP.   Let's go Hope!!

[realist]

Some thoughts from last nights game at UWW

Disappointing loss for sure, but given it was game 1 on the road at the #13 team who was playing their 3rd game, Hope played well for most of this game. 5 minute stretch of poor play late in the second half sealed this one.

Ben Gardner appears to be stronger and with his ability to go to the hoop, I look for a great year from the sophomore point guard.

The offense looked mechanical at times - guys thinking too much leading to it stalling. Typical early season game stuff when you have so many new pieces.

This team is really young. NVA was the only guy who played that had more than 1 year of varsity experience.  That's a seriously young team that will certainly benefit from these kind of games and the return of Byers and Neil.

Harrison Blackledge, Cody Stuive, and Keith Brushwyler are going to be impact players for this team this year. They are freshman and make some freshman mistakes, but also look to learn quickly and have good heads for the game. Harrison starting is legit - the kid can play.

Sam Otto was the biggest surprise for me. Came off the bench to play big minutes, and played very well.  Athletic guy who can shoot the three and go to the rim.

So on to UWSP. Nothing like opening your season with a really tough game only to follow it the next day with a more difficult one. But I truly believe that with this young team, the lessons learned this weekend will payoff. I see this team improving dramatically from game to game.

Time to go get some payback for our VB team and beat UWSP.   Let's go Hope!!

Good "luck" with that. Didn't work last year for Calvin against St. Thomas.  

[sac]

Benedictine 91 Alma 70

Alma drops to 0-5, defense allowed Benediction to shoot a shade under 60%

Nikodemski 29, Fairchild 10

[sac]

Albion 77  Wabash  55

Strong start to the season for the Britons as they move to 4-0.  Trailed by 5 early, put the game away with a very good second half.  Albion really shot the ball well at 60%.  A year ago this was a 1 point loss and Albion had a stronger roster at the time than they finished the season with.

Evans 19, Ridgell 16

[realist]

Calvin 97 COF 81

Calvin 7 off. rebounds, and out rebounded 38 to 35. 

[sac]

Purdue-Calumet 86  Olivet 63
http://www.purduecalsports.com/mbasketball/boxscore/2013-14/682/olivet-mich-vs-purdue-calumet-11-23-2013/

Olivet led about 15 minutes of this one off the tip, then it seemed to go South for them in the second half.  Purdue-Calumet(6-1) is actually going to be a pretty good NAIA II team when its all done I think.

Krum 13, Woods 11, Union 10

[realist]

On Jan 11th Hope wil be treated to the joy of seeing Calvin's volleyball team receive honors for getting Calvin's 10th  Championship BANNER.
We now resume our regular broadcast.

[John Gleich]

Time to go get some payback for our VB team and beat UWSP.   Let's go Hope!!

Was a 3 point game at the half... but Point leads by 17 with about 4 minutes left.

[sac]

Stevens Point 82   Hope  62

Well played first half, but Hope was crushed in the 2nd half.  Obviously some very nice adjustments by the Pointers at halftime.....for example VanArendonk was 6-7 with 13 points in the first half but only had 1 shot in the 2nd.  Defensively not many stops and UWSP had layups the whole second half and probably shot close to 80%.  Offensively you can't expect to beat good teams shooting 1-13 from 3.

Hope FG shooting for the 2nd half must have been about 30%

Hope had no answers for All-American Tyler Tillema  29 points, 10-14 from the floor.

Gardner 16,  VanArendonk 13, Benson 11

[John Gleich]

Stevens Point 82   Hope  62

Well played first half, but Hope was crushed in the 2nd half.  Obviously some very nice adjustments by the Pointers at halftime.....for example VanArendonk was 6-7 with 13 points in the first half but only had 1 shot in the 2nd.  Defensively not many stops and UWSP had layups the whole second half and probably shot close to 80%.  Offensively you can't expect to beat good teams shooting 1-13 from 3.

Hope FG shooting for the 2nd half must have been about 30%

Hope had no answers for All-American Tyler Tillema  29 points, 10-14 from the floor.

Gardner 16,  VanArendonk 13, Benson 11

At the half, Hope was shooting 53% and Point 57%.

For the game, Hope ended up at 46% and Point at 69%.

Hope was also leading the rebounding battle at the half (not sure of the exact stats) but Point ended up with a 4 rebound advantage.  (Note, the shift in the shooting percentages could certainly affect this... defensive rebounds are monumentally easier than offensive, and if you hit your shots but your opponent doesn't, it's easier to "win" this battle)


I've got to think that the back-to-back games, on the road, against ranked teams may have led to Hope's demise in the second half. Point was able to pull away earlier in the 2nd half than Whitewater was last night.

[sac]

For the season (3 games) Stevens Point is shooting 96 of 143 for 67%.   

[oldknight]

It's not everyday you can drive only 20 minutes to watch your alma mater play for--and win--a national championship, but that's what I did tonight. Congratulations to Calvin's volleyball team who overcame a two set deficit and then also came from behind in the decisive, thrilling, and pressure packed fifth set, to win 20-18 and take home the trophy. Congratulations also to a wonderful Cal Lutheran squad, truly an outstanding opponent. The two teams provided fans with a very memorable championship and  DeVos was a terrific venue for the game. Kudos to Hope for putting on a good show.

The afternoon hoops action at VNA provided a good warmup for Calvin sports enthusiasts, with the Knights having too much size and poise for College of Faith. This year's version of COF showed early they have little in common with last season's squad which lost to Hope by 98 points. On COF's second  possession, their point guard--generously listed at 5'11"--elevated from five feet outside the lane, got fouled by one of Calvin's big guys, found himself still three feet from the basket, and simply fired the ball down at the basket for a flush plus an and-one. Wow! That was an eye-opener and was the first of many plays featuring COF's outstanding athleticism and quickness. Much might be made of the fact that COF outrebounded Calvin 38-35 but that was primarily on the strength of 18 offensive rebounds. Nearly all of those rebounds were the kind where the ball got to or near the floor, the type soccer calls 50/50 balls. Except with COF those are more like 80/20 balls because their overall team quickness is going to win those against most teams, most of the time. COF also displayed a ferocious press and while Calvin made some errors against it, I thought the Knights did well to limit turnovers to 14, while often making COF pay for their gambling ways. I think this weekend's games were helpful to Calvin, identifying weaknesses and things to work on, but also offering encouragement that the new guys being worked into key roles are making progress. Mickey DeVries was outstanding yet again, going 7-9 this afternoon and Jordan Brink continues to impress, scoring 17 and dishing 5 assists.