MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HOPEful]

Thinking that Hope will get uncontested 3's is wishful thinking. They guard combo of Parks, Brink and Daley is a formidable foe not only on the offensive end but they are become a great defensive threat as well.

What data are you using to support this claim? Carthage's 3 starting guards averaged 18 points each. Ripon guard, Ty Sabin, put up 38 points against Calvin. OshKosh guard, Alex Olson, dropped 24 on Calvin, including shooting 5 for 9 from 3 point range. Finlandia is hardly the barometer in which you want to assess your defensive progression and even Alma's guards shot 5/10 from 3.

As a Hope fan, my fears for Saturday do not revolve around Calvin's defensive guard play.

I also don't think that Hope's offense will center around their guards. I expect (and hope) to see heavy doses of Harrison and Brock.

[knightvision]

C. Denney the new 6' 7" guy goes 5 for 5, 2 for 2 on 3's for 12 points for Calvin.  His addition as a so. transfer is looking really good. 
5 Calvin guys in double figures so scoring isn't the problem, but defense needs some work.

Yeah; I'm afraid defensive deficiencies will be Calvin's downfall this year. The Knights have several capable scorers in addition to the magnificent Jordan Brink but you still have to stop someone and the Knights don't do that with any regularity. Of course that's Alma's problem too which is why they will lose more conference games than they will win. But the Scots are so creative and capable on the offensive end that they will always be a threat to beat the better teams in the conference--and I expect will do so a couple of times this season.

After taking an early 29-14 lead it looked like Calvin would make quick work of the visitors but you gotta hand it to Sammy Hargraves and his feisty team, they aren't intimidated and they don't quit. Alma got the deficit down to one point with less than two minutes to play before free throws and a huge put back by Tyler Dykstra kept Alma at bay. Calvin outrebounded Alma comfortably and overall outshot them from the floor except--as often seems to be the case--from the three point line where Alma shot 12-26. Alma was led by the two Beckmans who scored 22 and 18, but the biggest surprise for me was the freshman from Mason HS, Doug Bradfield, who scored 16 before fouling out. The kid is a nice find for Sam.

Calvin was led, as usual by Jordan Brink, with 20, but he caused the already nearly comatose VNA "crowd" to faint when he missed the first MIAA competition free throw he took in his senior year. A federal investigation is being contemplated. Pretty good balance after that with 14 each from Dykstra and Daley, 13 from frosh VanderBrug and 12 from newcomer Cameron Denny. As realist correctly notes, Denny looks to be a very solid transfer and he surprised me. He helps Calvin immediately but clearly isn't the listed 6'7" program height. He appears to be 6'5" but that's fine with me because the kid really has skills. In addition to knowing how to shoot the ball, he's quick, appears to be a hardnosed defender and rebounder, and looks to be a terrific interior passer. Once his teammates realize that new guy will find a way to get them the ball when they don't think they're open you will see a lot of assists on the Denny resume. Even though he lacks the two inches the program gives him he should soon (as the ever farsighted and perceptive knightvision noted to me in an aside at the game) be given charge of the Calvin weightlifting program. Cameron's upper body is impressive.

Trying to add something worthy of noting to one of oldknight's game summaries feels a bit like contemplating amending the constitution, but here goes, in no particular order....

1) Calvin fans, enjoy 5th year senior Jordan Brink while you can.  If you look up "letting the game come to you" in a basketball dictionary, I'm pretty sure Jordan would show up somewhere in the definition.  I can only think of 1 shot that was perhaps not a great look, but the ones that aren't great looks for Jordan are better than many of the good looks for others.  He was assertive when necessary, but involved others nicely.  The ball doesn't stick when he gets it, he doesn't overdribble, and he seldom takes the first available shot--something that a few of his younger teammates with shot selection challenges should take to heart.  Better teams are going to get in his grill, and while Calvin appears to have enough other guys who can score, make no mistake about it--this Calvin team is going to go as far as Jordan takes them.

2) The buzz in the oldknight/goodknight zone where I was sitting (actually, oldknight sat between yours truly and goodknight, and was remarkably well behaved) was "Who is #50?"  Cameron Denney is a well put together young man who instantly upgrades Calvin's frontcourt.  He is clearly a capable scorer, seemed solid defensively, and I loved that he looked for (and found) his teammates on several occasions and doesn't play "in a hurry."  He's good....and he makes those around him better.  As his teammates get used to playing with him, they will learn to expect a pass.  It's hard not to see his minutes rising--significantly. Great example to his fellow teammates, who, like him, are looking to earn more minutes:  there is way more to the game than just looking for your own shot and scoring.  And yes, I did immediately put him in charge of Calvin's strength training program   

3) When Tyler Dykstra is engaged and assertive, he is a game changer....without even looking to score ( and btw, I would love to see him look to score a bit more).  I'd put him right behind Jordan in terms of the factor that will determine how good Calvin can/will be...simply because he can do things that no one else can.  If for no other reason than to ensure that he's involved, I'd run the back door alley-oop play to him at least once a half.  Calvin executed it with him to perfection last night, and it is no exaggeration to say that it was every bit as impressive as the ones you see on SportsCenter  every night.  He had 3 blocked shots last night, changed a bunch more, and I saw a bit of nasty streak/'don't bring that weak sh!# in here" without being a dink that I loved.  The problem is that for whatever reason it seems like there are long stretches of minutes where it's like he's not even on the floor....when he's on the floor. 

4) Whether you happen to like or dislike Calvin's defensive principles, when Calvin didn't contest the three last night, it had little to do with not knowing "the system" and everything to do with perimeter defenders being lazy and not making the effort to get out on people.  Everybody in the gym knows Alma is going to shoot a boat load of threes; start at the three point line and work your way out from there.  With as many people as Calvin plays, and with the aforementioned Mr. Dykstra and Calvin's size up front, there would be worse things to do than get way out on people, deny passing lanes, and force them to put it on the floor (essentially what Hope has done to Calvin in recent years, without even a shot blocker the caliber of Dykstra).   That might even help a bit with the inability to force turnovers that knightslappy points out. 

5) Finally, I'd like to thank all the Calvin fans sitting in the oldknight/goodknight zone for acknowledging many of the fine plays by the Knights as well as their discretion in selectively pointing out only egregious errors by the officiating crew (of which there were precious few).  As opposed to, oh, I don't know, say, adopting an approach of an ongoing conversational type rant with the officials that  might reflect poorly on them or Calvin.   I usually carry at least 2 or 3 suckers in my coat pocket that my wife is quick to suggest I utilize if she senses that I might be thinking about starting a friendly dialogue with the folks in stripes.  I'd personally recommend the grape Tootsie Pops, but if you're more of a mint person, a half a roll of Mentos might not be a bad place to start--and ya gotta chew 'em, not just suck on em! 

[TUAngola]

Some observations from last nights Hope-Trine game from the "other" side:

Great game, but didn't you think the officiating was very inconsistent?  I will agree both of Benson's and Holmquist's first 2 fouls against them were pretty ticky-tack.  Officials called a lot of fouls, then towards the end of the half they let them play a little more.  Same thing in the second half, Trine was whistled for 6 fouls not even 2 minutes into the half, then the officials let them be a little more physical the rest of the half.  And like you guys mentioned, the philosophy on how the respective coaches allowed their big guys play the rest of the game probably resulted in Trine being able to pull it out.  Coach Miller gave Holmquist the green light to play with foul trouble while Coach Mitchell reigned Benson in for most of the 1st half.

I really like Blackledge, first time I've seen him play.  Very smooth, has good interior moves, money at the free throw line.  Just a little out of control at times, turns the ball over too much.

I've always been a Gardner fan, the kid can flat play.  He tweaked his ankle towards the end of the game last night, hope he is all right.

Our guys just have a lot of intensity.  They are fundamentally sound, they communicate very well, they don't make poor decisions with the ball.  It did look to me, as you observed, that Hope's game plan was to take Dixon out of the game.  Hope did a good job at hedging on the ball screens to take away his dribble drives.  And Gardner stuck on him like glue.

As long as Dixon, Good and Holmquist can stay on the floor, Trine will always have a good shot of being in the game whoever they play. Our point guard, Syroka, had a solid game and hit some big FT's at the end.  However, our bench is thin.  Like you noted, when Holmquist goes out it gets very dicey.  We have some decent guards who can rotate in, but our 2 backup bigs are both freshman who don't have college ball figured out yet.

The difference last night came down to turnovers and free throws.  Next time when Hope plays Trine, if I were your coach, I'd play 3 bigs and 2 guards and force Trine into some really tough matchups as we don't have a lot of height.  Just pound the rock inside.  If your team is a guard oriented team then you play right into Trine's strengths. 

Wish the students would have been on campus to see that one last night.  Very strange with no band, cheerleaders, students. 

[oldknight]

5) Finally, I'd like to thank all the Calvin fans sitting in the oldknight/goodknight zone for acknowledging many of the fine plays by the Knights as well as their discretion in selectively pointing out only egregious errors by the officiating crew (of which there were precious few).  As opposed to, oh, I don't know, say, adopting an approach of an ongoing conversational type rant with the officials that  might reflect poorly on them or Calvin.  I usually carry at least 2 or 3 suckers in my coat pocket that my wife is quick to suggest I utilize if she senses that I might be thinking about starting a friendly dialogue with the folks in stripes.  I'd personally recommend the grape Tootsie Pops, but if you're more of a mint person, a half a roll of Mentos might not be a bad place to start--and ya gotta chew 'em, not just suck on em! 

It's impossible to argue with anything mentioned in the in acute knightvision post. However, there's no truth to the rumor that oldknight was one of the 2 or 3 suckers knightvision normally carries in his coat pocket. Oldknight is smaller than knightvision but not that much smaller.

[knightvision]

5) Finally, I'd like to thank all the Calvin fans sitting in the oldknight/goodknight zone for acknowledging many of the fine plays by the Knights as well as their discretion in selectively pointing out only egregious errors by the officiating crew (of which there were precious few).  As opposed to, oh, I don't know, say, adopting an approach of an ongoing conversational type rant with the officials that  might reflect poorly on them or Calvin.  I usually carry at least 2 or 3 suckers in my coat pocket that my wife is quick to suggest I utilize if she senses that I might be thinking about starting a friendly dialogue with the folks in stripes.  I'd personally recommend the grape Tootsie Pops, but if you're more of a mint person, a half a roll of Mentos might not be a bad place to start--and ya gotta chew 'em, not just suck on em! 

It's impossible to argue with anything mentioned in the in acute knightvision post. However, there's no truth to the rumor that oldknight was one of the 2 or 3 suckers knightvision normally carries in his coat pocket. Oldknight is smaller than knightvision but not that much smaller.

There's no way I'd carry you in my coat pocket.  Not after goodknight invited me to join you guys on the Wisconsin road trip to catch the Calvin games and opened my eyes to the possibilities of transporting you by throwing your, uh, "economically stringent posterior" in the back seat. 

[knightvision]

Some observations from last nights Hope-Trine game from the "other" side:

Great game, but didn't you think the officiating was very inconsistent?  I will agree both of Benson's and Holmquist's first 2 fouls against them were pretty ticky-tack.  Officials called a lot of fouls, then towards the end of the half they let them play a little more.  Same thing in the second half, Trine was whistled for 6 fouls not even 2 minutes into the half, then the officials let them be a little more physical the rest of the half.  And like you guys mentioned, the philosophy on how the respective coaches allowed their big guys play the rest of the game probably resulted in Trine being able to pull it out.  Coach Miller gave Holmquist the green light to play with foul trouble while Coach Mitchell reigned Benson in for most of the 1st half.

I really like Blackledge, first time I've seen him play.  Very smooth, has good interior moves, money at the free throw line.  Just a little out of control at times, turns the ball over too much.

I've always been a Gardner fan, the kid can flat play.  He tweaked his ankle towards the end of the game last night, hope he is all right.

Our guys just have a lot of intensity.  They are fundamentally sound, they communicate very well, they don't make poor decisions with the ball.  It did look to me, as you observed, that Hope's game plan was to take Dixon out of the game.  Hope did a good job at hedging on the ball screens to take away his dribble drives.  And Gardner stuck on him like glue.

As long as Dixon, Good and Holmquist can stay on the floor, Trine will always have a good shot of being in the game whoever they play. Our point guard, Syroka, had a solid game and hit some big FT's at the end.  However, our bench is thin.  Like you noted, when Holmquist goes out it gets very dicey.  We have some decent guards who can rotate in, but our 2 backup bigs are both freshman who don't have college ball figured out yet.

The difference last night came down to turnovers and free throws.  Next time when Hope plays Trine, if I were your coach, I'd play 3 bigs and 2 guards and force Trine into some really tough matchups as we don't have a lot of height.  Just pound the rock inside.  If your team is a guard oriented team then you play right into Trine's strengths. 

Wish the students would have been on campus to see that one last night.  Very strange with no band, cheerleaders, students.

TU Angola, thanks for the summary and your perspective.  I'm going to assume you didn't vote in the "Who will win the MIAA this year?" contest, because I know the 1 guy who picked Trine.  I've commented to oldknight and others what you note above--if Trine's big 3 can stay healthy (and out of foul trouble), they have as good a chance as anyone to win the conference.  I caught the last 10 minutes of the broadcast, and was surprised to hear that Trine had never beaten Hope before in MIAA play.  Is that true?

[sac]

.  I caught the last 10 minutes of the broadcast, and was surprised to hear that Trine had never beaten Hope before in MIAA play.  Is that true?

Yes, up until last night Hope had won all 25 previous meetings since Trine joined the MIAA in 2004 as a provision D3 member.
2004 Hope 109, Tri-State 93
2004 Hope 116, Tri-State 110 (ot)
2005 Hope 91, Tri-State 72
2005 Hope 106, Tri-State 74
2006 Hope 75, Tri-State 59
2006 Hope 66, Tri-State 54
2007 Hope 101, Tri-State 57
2007 Hope 78, Tri-State 59
2008 Hope 93, Tri-State 60
2008 Hope 74, Tri-State 57
Name changed to Trine in 2008
2009 Hope 85, Trine 69
2009 Hope 71, Trine 68

2010 Hope 78, Trine 60
2010 Hope 58, Trine 53
2010 Hope 66, Trine 61
2011 Hope 91, Trine 86
2011 Hope 81, Trine 64
2012 Hope 85, Trine 62
2012 Hope 65, Trine 46
2013 Hope 76, Trine 61
2013 Hope 81, Trine 72
2013 Hope 76, Trine 62
2014 Hope 75, Trine 61
2014 Hope 67, Trine 56
2014 Hope 65, Trine 62

Tri-State beat Hope a couple times as a member of NAIA in the 90's.

[HopeConvert]

C. Denney the new 6' 7" guy goes 5 for 5, 2 for 2 on 3's for 12 points for Calvin.  His addition as a so. transfer is looking really good. 
5 Calvin guys in double figures so scoring isn't the problem, but defense needs some work.

Yeah; I'm afraid defensive deficiencies will be Calvin's downfall this year. The Knights have several capable scorers in addition to the magnificent Jordan Brink but you still have to stop someone and the Knights don't do that with any regularity. Of course that's Alma's problem too which is why they will lose more conference games than they will win. But the Scots are so creative and capable on the offensive end that they will always be a threat to beat the better teams in the conference--and I expect will do so a couple of times this season.

After taking an early 29-14 lead it looked like Calvin would make quick work of the visitors but you gotta hand it to Sammy Hargraves and his feisty team, they aren't intimidated and they don't quit. Alma got the deficit down to one point with less than two minutes to play before free throws and a huge put back by Tyler Dykstra kept Alma at bay. Calvin outrebounded Alma comfortably and overall outshot them from the floor except--as often seems to be the case--from the three point line where Alma shot 12-26. Alma was led by the two Beckmans who scored 22 and 18, but the biggest surprise for me was the freshman from Mason HS, Doug Bradfield, who scored 16 before fouling out. The kid is a nice find for Sam.

Calvin was led, as usual by Jordan Brink, with 20, but he caused the already nearly comatose VNA "crowd" to faint when he missed the first MIAA competition free throw he took in his senior year. A federal investigation is being contemplated. Pretty good balance after that with 14 each from Dykstra and Daley, 13 from frosh VanderBrug and 12 from newcomer Cameron Denny. As realist correctly notes, Denny looks to be a very solid transfer and he surprised me. He helps Calvin immediately but clearly isn't the listed 6'7" program height. He appears to be 6'5" but that's fine with me because the kid really has skills. In addition to knowing how to shoot the ball, he's quick, appears to be a hardnosed defender and rebounder, and looks to be a terrific interior passer. Once his teammates realize that new guy will find a way to get them the ball when they don't think they're open you will see a lot of assists on the Denny resume. Even though he lacks the two inches the program gives him he should soon (as the ever farsighted and perceptive knightvision noted to me in an aside at the game) be given charge of the Calvin weightlifting program. Cameron's upper body is impressive.

Trying to add something worthy of noting to one of oldknight's game summaries feels a bit like contemplating amending the constitution, but here goes, in no particular order....

Article 5 is there for a reason.

[oldknight]

C. Denney the new 6' 7" guy goes 5 for 5, 2 for 2 on 3's for 12 points for Calvin.  His addition as a so. transfer is looking really good. 
5 Calvin guys in double figures so scoring isn't the problem, but defense needs some work.

Yeah; I'm afraid defensive deficiencies will be Calvin's downfall this year. The Knights have several capable scorers in addition to the magnificent Jordan Brink but you still have to stop someone and the Knights don't do that with any regularity. Of course that's Alma's problem too which is why they will lose more conference games than they will win. But the Scots are so creative and capable on the offensive end that they will always be a threat to beat the better teams in the conference--and I expect will do so a couple of times this season.

After taking an early 29-14 lead it looked like Calvin would make quick work of the visitors but you gotta hand it to Sammy Hargraves and his feisty team, they aren't intimidated and they don't quit. Alma got the deficit down to one point with less than two minutes to play before free throws and a huge put back by Tyler Dykstra kept Alma at bay. Calvin outrebounded Alma comfortably and overall outshot them from the floor except--as often seems to be the case--from the three point line where Alma shot 12-26. Alma was led by the two Beckmans who scored 22 and 18, but the biggest surprise for me was the freshman from Mason HS, Doug Bradfield, who scored 16 before fouling out. The kid is a nice find for Sam.

Calvin was led, as usual by Jordan Brink, with 20, but he caused the already nearly comatose VNA "crowd" to faint when he missed the first MIAA competition free throw he took in his senior year. A federal investigation is being contemplated. Pretty good balance after that with 14 each from Dykstra and Daley, 13 from frosh VanderBrug and 12 from newcomer Cameron Denny. As realist correctly notes, Denny looks to be a very solid transfer and he surprised me. He helps Calvin immediately but clearly isn't the listed 6'7" program height. He appears to be 6'5" but that's fine with me because the kid really has skills. In addition to knowing how to shoot the ball, he's quick, appears to be a hardnosed defender and rebounder, and looks to be a terrific interior passer. Once his teammates realize that new guy will find a way to get them the ball when they don't think they're open you will see a lot of assists on the Denny resume. Even though he lacks the two inches the program gives him he should soon (as the ever farsighted and perceptive knightvision noted to me in an aside at the game) be given charge of the Calvin weightlifting program. Cameron's upper body is impressive.

Trying to add something worthy of noting to one of oldknight's game summaries feels a bit like contemplating amending the constitution, but here goes, in no particular order....

Article 5 is there for a reason.

I wasn't a poly/sci major but I'm pretty sure the Founders also considered armed rebellion to be a legitimate basis to enact change under certain circumstances.

See Jefferson, Thomas
Independence, Declaration of

[HopeConvert]

C. Denney the new 6' 7" guy goes 5 for 5, 2 for 2 on 3's for 12 points for Calvin.  His addition as a so. transfer is looking really good. 
5 Calvin guys in double figures so scoring isn't the problem, but defense needs some work.

Yeah; I'm afraid defensive deficiencies will be Calvin's downfall this year. The Knights have several capable scorers in addition to the magnificent Jordan Brink but you still have to stop someone and the Knights don't do that with any regularity. Of course that's Alma's problem too which is why they will lose more conference games than they will win. But the Scots are so creative and capable on the offensive end that they will always be a threat to beat the better teams in the conference--and I expect will do so a couple of times this season.

After taking an early 29-14 lead it looked like Calvin would make quick work of the visitors but you gotta hand it to Sammy Hargraves and his feisty team, they aren't intimidated and they don't quit. Alma got the deficit down to one point with less than two minutes to play before free throws and a huge put back by Tyler Dykstra kept Alma at bay. Calvin outrebounded Alma comfortably and overall outshot them from the floor except--as often seems to be the case--from the three point line where Alma shot 12-26. Alma was led by the two Beckmans who scored 22 and 18, but the biggest surprise for me was the freshman from Mason HS, Doug Bradfield, who scored 16 before fouling out. The kid is a nice find for Sam.

Calvin was led, as usual by Jordan Brink, with 20, but he caused the already nearly comatose VNA "crowd" to faint when he missed the first MIAA competition free throw he took in his senior year. A federal investigation is being contemplated. Pretty good balance after that with 14 each from Dykstra and Daley, 13 from frosh VanderBrug and 12 from newcomer Cameron Denny. As realist correctly notes, Denny looks to be a very solid transfer and he surprised me. He helps Calvin immediately but clearly isn't the listed 6'7" program height. He appears to be 6'5" but that's fine with me because the kid really has skills. In addition to knowing how to shoot the ball, he's quick, appears to be a hardnosed defender and rebounder, and looks to be a terrific interior passer. Once his teammates realize that new guy will find a way to get them the ball when they don't think they're open you will see a lot of assists on the Denny resume. Even though he lacks the two inches the program gives him he should soon (as the ever farsighted and perceptive knightvision noted to me in an aside at the game) be given charge of the Calvin weightlifting program. Cameron's upper body is impressive.

Trying to add something worthy of noting to one of oldknight's game summaries feels a bit like contemplating amending the constitution, but here goes, in no particular order....

Article 5 is there for a reason.

I wasn't a poly/sci major but I'm pretty sure the Founders also considered armed rebellion to be a legitimate basis to enact change under certain circumstances.

See Jefferson, Thomas
Independence, Declaration of

Yeah, that was Jefferson's view, so long as he didn't have to pick up a gun. But if you're worried about Knightvision packing something other than Tootsie Pops, you might want to put Goodknight in the middle.

In my view, the only time "Founders" ought to be capitalized is in reference to beer.

[HopeConvert]

--Brock Benson had to sit for most of the first half with two pretty tough calls early in the game.   I'm pretty sure the score is in Hope's favor when he's out there.

Well, he didn't have to sit.  Holmquist also had 2 first half fouls and played with 4 fouls in the second half--and finished with 31 minutes to Benson's 19 minutes.  But many coaches seem to prefer to have a star player play fewer minutes and be available at the game's end--when the points feel more decisive (though, as Tom D. noted in his after-game commentary, this was a game that was lost in the first half). 

I've always found it curious that players could play early in the second half with three fouls, but not be allowed to play in the first half with two fouls.  I also wonder whether--if basketball, like hockey, had three periods--a player with two fouls would then be put back in the game at the start of the second period (after 13 minutes). 

I was pleased to see that Benson did get some more minutes in the first half, after a long break.  But if the 2-fouls-and-you-sit rule operates on Saturday, one can hope that he and Ben Gardner don't pick up more than one foul.

So, Sac and HopeConvert, what is it about Coach Mitchell's words that you appreciated?

I completely agree. For what it's worth, I was muttering during the game "Put Brock back in. I don't care if he fouls out." You have to maximize player's minutes, regardless of the foul situation. The variable here, of course, is that players typically play more tentatively on defense if they have four fouls (this was noticeable with Holmquist). But if I were the coach I'd tell them to play their normal game, and if they foul out that's not the end of the world.

Brief version: I was impressed by how well he ran the huddle, both strategically and dispositionally, and how well he interacted with the other coaches.

Trine has a good team. What happened Wednesday was no fluke.

[pointlem]

--Brock Benson had to sit for most of the first half with two pretty tough calls early in the game.   I'm pretty sure the score is in Hope's favor when he's out there.

Well, he didn't have to sit.  Holmquist also had 2 first half fouls and played with 4 fouls in the second half--and finished with 31 minutes to Benson's 19 minutes.  But many coaches seem to prefer to have a star player play fewer minutes and be available at the game's end--when the points feel more decisive (though, as Tom D. noted in his after-game commentary, this was a game that was lost in the first half). 

I've always found it curious that players could play early in the second half with three fouls, but not be allowed to play in the first half with two fouls.  I also wonder whether--if basketball, like hockey, had three periods--a player with two fouls would then be put back in the game at the start of the second period (after 13 minutes). 

I was pleased to see that Benson did get some more minutes in the first half, after a long break.  But if the 2-fouls-and-you-sit rule operates on Saturday, one can hope that he and Ben Gardner don't pick up more than one foul.

So, Sac and HopeConvert, what is it about Coach Mitchell's words that you appreciated?

I completely agree. For what it's worth, I was muttering during the game "Put Brock back in. I don't care if he fouls out." You have to maximize player's minutes, regardless of the foul situation. The variable here, of course, is that players typically play more tentatively on defense if they have four fouls (this was noticeable with Holmquist). But if I were the coach I'd tell them to play their normal game, and if they foul out that's not the end of the world.

Completely agree, HopeConvert.  Many a coach seems to prefer having a star play 20 minutes and be available at the game's end over playing 30 minutes and quite possibly not being available "when the game is on the line."  But, as Tom D. noted, some games are essentially lost in the first half, when a team gets in a hole it can't quite climb out of.

And it's not just coaches who seem to assume that points at the game's end are more decisive than first half points, we fans do, too.  We like to explain the outcome of a close game by, say, the missed basket or free throw at the game's end, when a missed first half shot is logically equivalent.  All minutes and all points count the same.  So why not maximize both?

[ziggy]

And it's not just coaches who seem to assume that points at the game's end are more decisive than first half points, we fans do, too.  We like to explain the outcome of a close game by, say, the missed basket or free throw at the game's end, when a missed first half shot is logically equivalent.  All minutes and all points count the same.  So why not maximize both?

This was sarcasm, right?

[knightvision]

C. Denney the new 6' 7" guy goes 5 for 5, 2 for 2 on 3's for 12 points for Calvin.  His addition as a so. transfer is looking really good. 
5 Calvin guys in double figures so scoring isn't the problem, but defense needs some work.

Yeah; I'm afraid defensive deficiencies will be Calvin's downfall this year. The Knights have several capable scorers in addition to the magnificent Jordan Brink but you still have to stop someone and the Knights don't do that with any regularity. Of course that's Alma's problem too which is why they will lose more conference games than they will win. But the Scots are so creative and capable on the offensive end that they will always be a threat to beat the better teams in the conference--and I expect will do so a couple of times this season.

After taking an early 29-14 lead it looked like Calvin would make quick work of the visitors but you gotta hand it to Sammy Hargraves and his feisty team, they aren't intimidated and they don't quit. Alma got the deficit down to one point with less than two minutes to play before free throws and a huge put back by Tyler Dykstra kept Alma at bay. Calvin outrebounded Alma comfortably and overall outshot them from the floor except--as often seems to be the case--from the three point line where Alma shot 12-26. Alma was led by the two Beckmans who scored 22 and 18, but the biggest surprise for me was the freshman from Mason HS, Doug Bradfield, who scored 16 before fouling out. The kid is a nice find for Sam.

Calvin was led, as usual by Jordan Brink, with 20, but he caused the already nearly comatose VNA "crowd" to faint when he missed the first MIAA competition free throw he took in his senior year. A federal investigation is being contemplated. Pretty good balance after that with 14 each from Dykstra and Daley, 13 from frosh VanderBrug and 12 from newcomer Cameron Denny. As realist correctly notes, Denny looks to be a very solid transfer and he surprised me. He helps Calvin immediately but clearly isn't the listed 6'7" program height. He appears to be 6'5" but that's fine with me because the kid really has skills. In addition to knowing how to shoot the ball, he's quick, appears to be a hardnosed defender and rebounder, and looks to be a terrific interior passer. Once his teammates realize that new guy will find a way to get them the ball when they don't think they're open you will see a lot of assists on the Denny resume. Even though he lacks the two inches the program gives him he should soon (as the ever farsighted and perceptive knightvision noted to me in an aside at the game) be given charge of the Calvin weightlifting program. Cameron's upper body is impressive.

Trying to add something worthy of noting to one of oldknight's game summaries feels a bit like contemplating amending the constitution, but here goes, in no particular order....

Article 5 is there for a reason.

I wasn't a poly/sci major but I'm pretty sure the Founders also considered armed rebellion to be a legitimate basis to enact change under certain circumstances.

See Jefferson, Thomas
Independence, Declaration of

Yeah, that was Jefferson's view, so long as he didn't have to pick up a gun. But if you're worried about Knightvision packing something other than Tootsie Pops, you might want to put Goodknight in the middle.

In my view, the only time "Founders" ought to be capitalized is in reference to beer.

Hurtful. Deeply hurtful.  You try to give your friend and the resident discussion board barrister a little jab love, and Darth Vader comes out of nowhere and sends your shot 3 rows into the bleachers.  HopeConvert, if you're anything like the other (im)posters oldknight has introduced me to, I can't wait to meet! 

Just like oldknight (whose mug I'm already expecting to see on TV tomorrow parked right behind the Calvin bench), it sounds like from your observations about Coach Mitchell that you post up in the same locale at games.  Rather than lurking behind the bench, why not just  throw on a  blue sportcoat/orange tie, grab a clipboard, and join the huddle?  If the team picture is accurate, you'd make it an even ten, and they probably wouldn't even notice

I'd love to see Calvin steal one on the road, but my gut tells me Hope by 8 (if Gardner is healthy).   

[oldknight]

C. Denney the new 6' 7" guy goes 5 for 5, 2 for 2 on 3's for 12 points for Calvin.  His addition as a so. transfer is looking really good. 
5 Calvin guys in double figures so scoring isn't the problem, but defense needs some work.

Yeah; I'm afraid defensive deficiencies will be Calvin's downfall this year. The Knights have several capable scorers in addition to the magnificent Jordan Brink but you still have to stop someone and the Knights don't do that with any regularity. Of course that's Alma's problem too which is why they will lose more conference games than they will win. But the Scots are so creative and capable on the offensive end that they will always be a threat to beat the better teams in the conference--and I expect will do so a couple of times this season.

After taking an early 29-14 lead it looked like Calvin would make quick work of the visitors but you gotta hand it to Sammy Hargraves and his feisty team, they aren't intimidated and they don't quit. Alma got the deficit down to one point with less than two minutes to play before free throws and a huge put back by Tyler Dykstra kept Alma at bay. Calvin outrebounded Alma comfortably and overall outshot them from the floor except--as often seems to be the case--from the three point line where Alma shot 12-26. Alma was led by the two Beckmans who scored 22 and 18, but the biggest surprise for me was the freshman from Mason HS, Doug Bradfield, who scored 16 before fouling out. The kid is a nice find for Sam.

Calvin was led, as usual by Jordan Brink, with 20, but he caused the already nearly comatose VNA "crowd" to faint when he missed the first MIAA competition free throw he took in his senior year. A federal investigation is being contemplated. Pretty good balance after that with 14 each from Dykstra and Daley, 13 from frosh VanderBrug and 12 from newcomer Cameron Denny. As realist correctly notes, Denny looks to be a very solid transfer and he surprised me. He helps Calvin immediately but clearly isn't the listed 6'7" program height. He appears to be 6'5" but that's fine with me because the kid really has skills. In addition to knowing how to shoot the ball, he's quick, appears to be a hardnosed defender and rebounder, and looks to be a terrific interior passer. Once his teammates realize that new guy will find a way to get them the ball when they don't think they're open you will see a lot of assists on the Denny resume. Even though he lacks the two inches the program gives him he should soon (as the ever farsighted and perceptive knightvision noted to me in an aside at the game) be given charge of the Calvin weightlifting program. Cameron's upper body is impressive.

Trying to add something worthy of noting to one of oldknight's game summaries feels a bit like contemplating amending the constitution, but here goes, in no particular order....

Article 5 is there for a reason.

I wasn't a poly/sci major but I'm pretty sure the Founders also considered armed rebellion to be a legitimate basis to enact change under certain circumstances.

See Jefferson, Thomas
Independence, Declaration of

1) Yeah, that was Jefferson's view, so long as he didn't have to pick up a gun. 2) But if you're worried about Knightvision packing something other than Tootsie Pops, you might want to put Goodknight in the middle.

3) In my view, the only time "Founders" ought to be capitalized is in reference to beer.

In order:

1) So, our third president was a chickenhawk. Hmm.
2) Are you kiddin'? If an angry knightvision is packin' heat, placing goodknight between us doesn't help me at all. GK is the original chickenhawk.
3) Does this principle apply when writing about your favorite D3 institution? https://www.facebook.com/newhopebeerfest