MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Totally agree about the poor lighting at Trine. I have always been surprised that with the weird shooting background on the north side that Trine has that as their side for the 2nd half.  Seems to me that making the visiting team shoot there the 2nd half could be an advantage. It sure seems to be difficult for the Hope team on that end.

[sac]

I've been to every home MIAA game this year at Trine and haven't noticed anything abnormal about how the balls come off the rim on either end.  In the Kalamazoo game Trine just shot lights out in the 2nd half, especially Dixon with many of his shots from 20+ feet with guys in his face.  In the game before that against Adrian, as I recall Adrian lit it up in the 2nd half against us with that supposedly tight rim.

With Hershey's quirky north end of the gym, with the open mezzanine looking down on the court and glare from the natural light coming in from the upper entry doors on day games, I would think as a player the sight lines would make it more difficult to shoot at that end than at the south end.  Frankly I don't see how anyone shoots well in Hershey because the gym lighting is so bad...does anyone else think it is dim in there?  My eyesight isn't as good as it used to be however...I am an old man you know. 

It seems a little dim to me to.

What are the chances of Satuday's Calvin/Trine game being postponed due to the weather?

Looking out my window this morning and knowing its much, much worse 70 miles West of me, maybe we should have another look at these chances.

[kzoo99]

Trine fun facts:

W/L at home: 9-1 (6-0 in conference)
W/L away: 4-6 (2-3 in conference)

Massey power in home MIAA games: 11.3
Massey power in away MIAA games: -3.6

(i.e. avg Massey power of opponents + avg margin of victory)

Doubt it means much but.....

A few players from Kalamazoo said the two rims at Trine at very different (one is very forgiving, the other is like concrete).  The home team shoots at the easier rim in the second half.

Uh-oh...."rimgate" 

Trine shot 38% in the first half against Kalamazoo and 76% in the second half.  Kzoo went from 48% to 44% - i haven't looked at those stats for all of their home games but maybe an observer at their next home game will report how forgiving each of these rims appear.

I've been to every home MIAA game this year at Trine and haven't noticed anything abnormal about how the balls come off the rim on either end.  In the Kalamazoo game Trine just shot lights out in the 2nd half, especially Dixon with many of his shots from 20+ feet with guys in his face.  In the game before that against Adrian, as I recall Adrian lit it up in the 2nd half against us with that supposedly tight rim.

With Hershey's quirky north end of the gym, with the open mezzanine looking down on the court and glare from the natural light coming in from the upper entry doors on day games, I would think as a player the sight lines would make it more difficult to shoot at that end than at the south end.  Frankly I don't see how anyone shoots well in Hershey because the gym lighting is so bad...does anyone else think it is dim in there?  My eyesight isn't as good as it used to be however...I am an old man you know. 

Out of curiosity I looked at the home half splits for Trine.  No obvious trends.  As TUAngola pointed out, they just shot lights out.  I will say that was the first game I saw at Trine.  The layout is unique and they certainly have thrived there this year.

[wiz]

I've lived in GR since 1990 and am thinking about going to the Calvin-Trine game tomorrow.  This will be my first game at Van Noord.  Any suggestions for a "first timer"?

You may want to get their early if you want some time near one of the fireplaces.


sit in the lower bowl or nothing.

Agreed the lower bowl is the place to sit. Avoid the near endzone seats though. Pretty rough crowd there.

I have noticed you prefer the lower bowl.at DeVos as well.

[wiz]

Trine fun facts:

W/L at home: 9-1 (6-0 in conference)
W/L away: 4-6 (2-3 in conference)

Massey power in home MIAA games: 11.3
Massey power in away MIAA games: -3.6

(i.e. avg Massey power of opponents + avg margin of victory)

Doubt it means much but.....

A few players from Kalamazoo said the two rims at Trine at very different (one is very forgiving, the other is like concrete).  The home team shoots at the easier rim in the second half.

Uh-oh...."rimgate" 

Trine shot 38% in the first half against Kalamazoo and 76% in the second half.  Kzoo went from 48% to 44% - i haven't looked at those stats for all of their home games but maybe an observer at their next home game will report how forgiving each of these rims appear.

I've been to every home MIAA game this year at Trine and haven't noticed anything abnormal about how the balls come off the rim on either end.  In the Kalamazoo game Trine just shot lights out in the 2nd half, especially Dixon with many of his shots from 20+ feet with guys in his face.  In the game before that against Adrian, as I recall Adrian lit it up in the 2nd half against us with that supposedly tight rim.

With Hershey's quirky north end of the gym, with the open mezzanine looking down on the court and glare from the natural light coming in from the upper entry doors on day games, I would think as a player the sight lines would make it more difficult to shoot at that end than at the south end.  Frankly I don't see how anyone shoots well in Hershey because the gym lighting is so bad...does anyone else think it is dim in there?  My eyesight isn't as good as it used to be however...I am an old man you know. 

Out of curiosity I looked at the home half splits for Trine.  No obvious trends.  As TUAngola pointed out, they just shot lights out.  I will say that was the first game I saw at Trine.  The layout is unique and they certainly have thrived there this year.

I admire the unique layout at Trine.  Rather nostalgic for this Calvin fan.

[TUAngola]

I believe a renovation of venerable Hershey Hall is in the works, although I have seen no plans or timeline.  The arena does seat 4000+ when the upper bleachers are in use but it has been a very long time since they consistently use them.  Back when the place was first built, in the early 1970's I believe, Tri-State always had good crowds for games.  Before Hershey I think Tri-State played their home games at the old Angola High School gymnasium, as I can recall going to a few games there as a youngster with my Dad.

Has anyone seen or heard of any plans for Hershey?  Any other Trine posters "in the know"?  They need to really address the seating issues.  I would like to see maybe a horseshoe shaped arena, keeping the open north end for that Hershey uniqueness.  Lower the seating capacity to 2000 or so and make it so you don't have to go down the stairs to access seating.  Also open up the ceiling over the floor, it is too low.  I've seen a few volleyball games where the balls are always hitting the ceiling.  Trine did invest in a new sound system this year, much improved over the old antiquated system and very much needed.

For the final home game next Saturday against Olivet, they are going open up the whole arena.  It is a doubleheader with the Trine women playing Hope after the men's game.  It is community day with free admission, free T-shirts (limited), free hot dogs (limited), give-a-ways, and contests.  It would be nice to get a 1000 people there if the weather cooperates.  The community is missing out on some well played basketball.

[knightvision]

I've lived in GR since 1990 and am thinking about going to the Calvin-Trine game tomorrow.  This will be my first game at Van Noord.  Any suggestions for a "first timer"?

I suggest you go a little early, buy an extra popcorn, then head immediately to Section 110.  If you stand right in front and ask if anyone wants some popcorn, a rather distinguished lawyerly looking bespectacled gentleman's right hand will shoot into the air quicker than an ill advised Brad Visser 3.  Hand him the popcorn and tell him how pleased you are to finally have met oldknight in the flesh. You will have a great time!

[Gregory Sager]

I've lived in GR since 1990 and am thinking about going to the Calvin-Trine game tomorrow.  This will be my first game at Van Noord.  Any suggestions for a "first timer"?

I suggest you go a little early, buy an extra popcorn, then head immediately to Section 110.  If you stand right in front and ask if anyone wants some popcorn, a rather distinguished lawyerly looking bespectacled gentleman's right hand will shoot into the air quicker than an ill advised Brad Visser 3.  Hand him the popcorn and tell him how pleased you are to finally have met oldknight in the flesh. You will have a great time!

... but first make sure that all of the kernels in your bag are popped. Heaven help the man who causes a lawyer to break a tooth on an old maid.

[GoKnights68]

Hopefully Calvin can get their season programs corrected by next year. it's been printed all year that Hope was the regular season league champ in 2009 and 2010. At least make the misprint in your favor!

[GoKnights68]

Calvin is starting to pull away. I think a big difference in this game has been Tyler Dykstra's excellent play around the glass.

[sac]

Will Dixon went 7-34 in Trine's games at Alma and Calvin this week.

[realist]

The last seven minutes of that game were pretty much all Calvin.  It appeared to me that Trine's starters ran out of gas at the end.  It sure doesn't help when you get no scoring from your bench.  Calvin dominated on the glass 43-24, and really made Trine work on both ends of the floor.

[wiz]

When the bald ref is in the house, I worry that neither team will be able to win.  That guy's got to go.

[DBQ1965]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I sat in the lower bowl ... didn't get over to meet "oldknight".  I thought it was a low-energy crowd ... the officials (even the "bald" one) didn't inject themselves into the game ... Calvin's height advantage overcame Trine's quickness ...and play under the basket was pretty physical.  Since I didn't have a dog in this hunt, I left with 3 minutes to go and Calvin in control

[maroonandgold]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I sat in the lower bowl ... didn't get over to meet "oldknight".  I thought it was a low-energy crowd ... the officials (even the "bald" one) didn't inject themselves into the game ... Calvin's height advantage overcame Trine's quickness ...and play under the basket was pretty physical.  Since I didn't have a dog in this hunt, I left with 3 minutes to go and Calvin in control

The earlier comment about Tyler Dystra's outstanding game was right on.  Combined with Calvin's height advantage and overall defense, those items really made the difference in a game that could have gone either way.  With the defense and rebounding being so solid, the points Calvin scored really wrapped it up.  In the second half Calvin had a prolonged scoring slump, missing shot after shot until Trine finally took the lead by 5.  But then the defense really clamped down, and the shots started to fall.  By the time Vander Brug and then Brink nailed threes, it was pretty much all over.  Brink, who had only 2 points well into the second half really played a major part in putting it away with scoring,  assists, and rebounding when it really counted.