MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[wiz]

I'm hoping for some combination of great defense by Calvin against IWU's 3-point shooting and IWU having on off night from behind the arc.

And let's hope the Titans also have an off night inside the arc and at the free throw line!
I would not be surprised to see the national champs coming from the four teams playing in Bloomington this week.  Any one of the four could do it.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'm hoping for some combination of great defense by Calvin against IWU's 3-point shooting and IWU having on off night from behind the arc.

And let's hope the Titans also have an off night inside the arc and at the free throw line!
I would not be surprised to see the national champs coming from the four teams playing in Bloomington this week.  Any one of the four could do it.

While it would not surprise me, I think it is more likely to come from the UWSP sectional, or Amherst might repeat.

[oldknight]

Below is a look at the matchup by TitanQ

Looking at the matchup statistics by TitanQ, two things jump out at me:
1) Really how similar these two teams are.... Except
2) How much better IWU is at three point shooting.

Old Knight, or someone, mentioned this in an earlier post. Looking at these statistics, I'm hoping for some combination of great defense by Calvin against IWU's 3-point shooting and IWU having on off night from behind the arc.

Yeah; after watching them play and reviewing their team box, that's the single most unsettling fact about IWU. They really know how to shoot the ball from the arc, but the Titans don't lack an inside game. Davis and Ziemnik know how to score closer to the hoop so Calvin's interior defense needs to every bit as good as it has been of late. While IWU shoots exceptionally well from the arc (42%), they have several players who can fire it up, and they do it often, so the perimeter defenders can't just focus on one or two guys. IWU's top three point shooter (Sodemann) makes 51% of his threes, and the 6'3" wing can also take it to the rim much like former Hope star Steve Cramer did. He will be a major challenge, and Calvin's entire defense had better be good.

Having said that, one point of encouragement to me is the fact that despite giving up 12-26 from arc, Hope could have beaten IWU in December if the Flying Dutchmen had shot a little better from outside themselves. Hope only made 5 triples that night and still only lost by 8. I'm not advocating for a shootout with IWU, but I think Calvin will have make a few long ones in order to win.

[HollandKnight]

    Judging by IWU's 3 point shooting, this game could end up being played similarly to that of Hope's. They have 3 point ability all across the board, and also aren't afraid of taking the ball inside. It is a matchup I am looking forward to watching.

[Titan Q]

The Titans can be difficult to match up with because in addition to their ability to shoot the 3, they are one of the more physical teams you'll see in Division III.  They're not necessarily "big" from a height standpoint, but have a lot of strong, physical frontcourt players who like to bang -- led by forwards Andrew Ziemnik and Victor Davis (who are both built like tight ends).  IWU's big guys also run the floor extremely well.

When everything is clicking, IWU definitely presents a lot of problems to opposing defenses.

[sac]

March Madness from Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart/ Fulton in a Class D Regional Championship.  Two different views.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/viewliv/article/20140312/SPORTS02/140312004/Watch-Mt-Pleasant-Sacred-Heart-wins-unbelievable-shot

[HollandKnight]

March Madness from Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart/ Fulton in a Class D Regional Championship.  Two different views.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/viewliv/article/20140312/SPORTS02/140312004/Watch-Mt-Pleasant-Sacred-Heart-wins-unbelievable-shot

That may be the first out of bounds play that was passed of the backboard. Not a terrible strategy now that I think about it. All the other team had to do was grab the rebound!! Can't take anything away from that kid though.

[oldknight]

Piece about Calvin by Brian Lester of D3sports.com that largely features Tyler Kruis.

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/men/2014/new-day-for-the-knights

[calvin_grad]

March Madness from Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart/ Fulton in a Class D Regional Championship.  Two different views.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/viewliv/article/20140312/SPORTS02/140312004/Watch-Mt-Pleasant-Sacred-Heart-wins-unbelievable-shot

That may be the first out of bounds play that was passed of the backboard. Not a terrible strategy now that I think about it. All the other team had to do was grab the rebound!! Can't take anything away from that kid though.

First of all, if that was supposed to be a lob, I don't think Blake Griffin could have gotten that.  But the craziest thing for me about that whole play is how the shot even goes in.  It had some kind of crazy spin on it.  It hits the backboard, spins around the rim, hits the backboard as the ball is moving left, after it hits the backboard it moves back to the right, bounces on the rim twice and goes in.  Like the magic loogie in the Keith Hernandez Seinfeld episode.

[oldknight]

March Madness from Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart/ Fulton in a Class D Regional Championship.  Two different views.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/viewliv/article/20140312/SPORTS02/140312004/Watch-Mt-Pleasant-Sacred-Heart-wins-unbelievable-shot

That may be the first out of bounds play that was passed of the backboard. Not a terrible strategy now that I think about it. All the other team had to do was grab the rebound!! Can't take anything away from that kid though.

First of all, if that was supposed to be a lob, I don't think Blake Griffin could have gotten that.  But the craziest thing for me about that whole play is how the shot even goes in.  It had some kind of crazy spin on it.  It hits the backboard, spins around the rim, hits the backboard as the ball is moving left, after it hits the backboard it moves back to the right, bounces on the rim twice and goes in.  Like the magic loogie in the Keith Hernandez Seinfeld episode.

Talk about a tough loss for Fulton, they actually had the ball and the lead with 2.1 seconds left but threw it away on an inbounds pass. It's almost as if Sacred Heart was predestined to win. Given the school's nickname, you might also say it's evidence of the Luck of the Irish. I'm guessing Dave McHugh would agree.

[veterancciwfan]

Some 3-point comparisons: 3s made per game: IWU: 9.6  Calvin: 6.1   3-point %: IWU: 42%  Calvin: 38.4%  Opponents' 3-point %:  IWU: 31.8%   Calvin: 34.8%   Looking forward to two competitive games and saying hello to Pat Coleman. Hotel rooms were unavailable in the Twin Cities so the visiting teams are staying in motels in surrounding towns (Pontiac being one of them). Shades of the Wooster sectional in 2012.

[sac]

More March Madness, from officials this time.

Class A regional final  Cass Tech/UD-Jesuit,  UD-Jesuit makes a pair of free-throws with seconds on the clock to win.....and 6 men on the floor.

[wiz]

A bit windy,  but a nice sunny drive down today.  The caravan is arriving!  Should be a good Calvin contingent.  About 500-600 tickets sold through Calvin's box office and many Knight fans from Illinois looking to purchase tickets at the door.  GO CALVIN!

[arena]

More March Madness, from officials this time.

Class A regional final  Cass Tech/UD-Jesuit,  UD-Jesuit makes a pair of free-throws with seconds on the clock to win.....and 6 men on the floor.

Major screwup.  Did any of the coaches notice?

[arena]

A bit windy,  but a nice sunny drive down today.  The caravan is arriving!  Should be a good Calvin contingent.  About 500-600 tickets sold through Calvin's box office and many Knight fans from Illinois looking to purchase tickets at the door.  GO CALVIN!

Ddi the team get in yesterday?