MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[TUAngola]

Trine 77 Kalamzoo 59

Nice bounce back win for the boys in blue today at Hershey.  Final score is a bit misleading as the game was tight for the first 27 minutes before the Thunder had a big run to put the Hornets away.  Holmquist with 30 today.  Probably on his way to another player of the week in the MIAA.  Only negative from his play today was he had a few too many unforced turnovers.  Actually that is one of the things I've noticed from this years team is we aren't quite as tight with the ball as compared to last years team. 

Kalamazoo is a little better than what I expected from a 1-12 team.  Dickerson was pretty impressive, only a freshman.  Dykema got off to a fast start then disappeared, but that had a lot to do with Trine clamping down on defense the 2nd half.  Way too many turnovers for Kalamazoo.

For Trine, besides Holmquist, Dixon was solid again, Syroka was in command at point guard, and Cummings played very well on defense.  It's been a while since Trine has had a guy who can protect the rim like Cummings.  Had 4 blocks today and altered quite a few more on guys driving the paint.  He knows his role, not really an offensive threat, but will get a garbage bucket here and there.  That is what makes Trine good, the guys on the team know their roles.  If you help too much on Holmquist or Dixon, then Dodson and Malone will spot up for 3's.

Don't like the atmosphere at the home games without the students on campus.  But all schools have to go thru it.  Still a nice crowd of around 400, even without the students and band and cheerleaders.     

[Gregory Sager]

Albion 65
Calvin 60

On the webcast it appeared that Kresge had all of the liveliness of a funeral parlor. Nobody standing, nobody jumping up and down in the stands, nothing. You'd think that the Britons beat Calvin every day.

Albion's student aren't back until the 18th or something like that.  They'll have all of 5 home games this year with students on campus.

I figured that Albion was still on break. But even grownups can at least stand and clap, if not jump around as much as collegians.

[BogeyMan]

I just looked up the D3 Massey Ratings for the first time ever and if I am reading them right Albion is #1 in strength of schedule and Alma #2.  That's pretty impressive.  Remember I'm a first timer!

[Hopester]

I have no idea why, but Hope picks up two number 1 votes in the latest poll. Hope does drop down to 4 as Elmhurst jumps us.

At some point, they have to realize we aren't a top 10 team right? (At some point we may get there, but not with how we have been playing so far).

[sac]

Lots of people ranking St. Norbert ahead of Alma and those people are simply not doing their homework.

[KzooHornet]

Trine 77 Kalamzoo 59

Nice bounce back win for the boys in blue today at Hershey.  Final score is a bit misleading as the game was tight for the first 27 minutes before the Thunder had a big run to put the Hornets away.  Holmquist with 30 today.  Probably on his way to another player of the week in the MIAA.  Only negative from his play today was he had a few too many unforced turnovers.  Actually that is one of the things I've noticed from this years team is we aren't quite as tight with the ball as compared to last years team. 

Kalamazoo is a little better than what I expected from a 1-12 team.  Dickerson was pretty impressive, only a freshman.  Dykema got off to a fast start then disappeared, but that had a lot to do with Trine clamping down on defense the 2nd half.  Way too many turnovers for Kalamazoo. 

I have watched a lot of the 'K' games this year and I keep waiting for them to break through.  They have stretches in every game where they play really well and they have been getting solid contributions from a variety of players.  What has spelled doom for them in most of the games so far has been a stretch where they give up a big run.  Against Trine it was at about the 13 minute mark of the second half.  Against Wheaton it was 16-3 to end the first half and Trinity it was 16-2 to start the game.  Bluffton it was 22-6 to start the second half.  I understand that it is very simplistic to say if they could avoid those big runs that those games may have been different, but I do think they are going to surprise some folks as league play rolls along.  No better place for their first league win than at Albion on Wednesday...

[HOPEful]

I have no idea why, but Hope picks up two number 1 votes in the latest poll. Hope does drop down to 4 as Elmhurst jumps us.

At some point, they have to realize we aren't a top 10 team right? (At some point we may get there, but not with how we have been playing so far).

I completely agree with you from a consistency standpoint. However, when Hope is clicking on all cylinders (Aquinas game, most of the game against Cornerstone, when the starters were all in against Olivet) they don't only look like a top 10 team but like a #1... Obvious problem being that those times have been few and far between...

[GreatScot!?]

Much anticipated matchup between Alma and Hope Wednesday night! Both teams 2-0 and could use this win on their resume. The Scots had a narrow win against a streaky Kalamazoo team in OT last Wednesday and then beat Adrian by 19 on Saturday. Not sure what Covile is doing in the MIAA, but the man can fly! Had at least three dunks with two of them being alley-oops against Alma's set 2-3 defense. A stat came across my twitter feed that the Scots are in the top 10 of D3 schools in FG% (2nd), FT% (6th) and 3PT FG% (7th). Very excited for the game tomorrow night!

[Pat Coleman]

Lots of people ranking St. Norbert ahead of Alma and those people are simply not doing their homework.

A couple people ranking Alma ahead of Ohio Northern, too.

[BogeyMan]

Lots of people ranking St. Norbert ahead of Alma and those people are simply not doing their homework.

A couple people ranking Alma ahead of Ohio Northern, too.

You have to understand Ohio Northern had 10 days more practice and 3 extra Canadian games under their belt when the season started.  A huge advantage that early in the year.  I question if that same game was played now that the same result would happen.

[Pat Coleman]

Didn't understand that -- certainly a good point. A lot like playing an NAIA team early in the season, then.

Alma can definitely play its way in. I know when I'm looking at a team that's on my bubble and I see they play Hope and Calvin the next week, I'm feeling pretty good about waiting.

[HOPEful]

...I know when I'm looking at a team that's on my bubble and I see they play Hope and Calvin the next week, I'm feeling pretty good about waiting...

[sac]

It defies logic to have St. Norbert in the top 25 if Alma is "in wait and see mode"
http://miaa.org/sports/mbkb/2015-16/boxscores/20151230_vuk4.xml

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I have no idea why, but Hope picks up two number 1 votes in the latest poll. Hope does drop down to 4 as Elmhurst jumps us.

At some point, they have to realize we aren't a top 10 team right? (At some point we may get there, but not with how we have been playing so far).

To be honest... it is such a wide open year that a team may not look like a Top 10 squad, but are a Top 10 squad this season. I have many teams who don't seem like they deserve where they are on my ballot in a "normal" year, but this season is so full of parity and so many good, but not great, squads that voters are going to slot teams into places that may seem high - including handing out first place votes. I am not voting Whitworth number one because I still think Augustana is the best team in the country. I have had Whitworth number two in a season where they might fit better at number seven, but there aren't many teams I think better than Whitworth. It's just one of those seasons.

And to echo some one's point, Hope when they are on ... are a very good squad. But to say they are inconsistent is to also point at the rest of the Division and I can't find another team that can avoid the inconsistencies game in and game out. It is going to be an incredible second half of the season and tournament run.

[HopeConvert]

I have no idea why, but Hope picks up two number 1 votes in the latest poll. Hope does drop down to 4 as Elmhurst jumps us.

At some point, they have to realize we aren't a top 10 team right? (At some point we may get there, but not with how we have been playing so far).

To be honest... it is such a wide open year that a team may not look like a Top 10 squad, but are a Top 10 squad this season. I have many teams who don't seem like they deserve where they are on my ballot in a "normal" year, but this season is so full of parity and so many good, but not great, squads that voters are going to slot teams into places that may seem high - including handing out first place votes. I am not voting Whitworth number one because I still think Augustana is the best team in the country. I have had Whitworth number two in a season where they might fit better at number seven, but there aren't many teams I think better than Whitworth. It's just one of those seasons.

And to echo some one's point, Hope when they are on ... are a very good squad. But to say they are inconsistent is to also point at the rest of the Division and I can't find another team that can avoid the inconsistencies game in and game out. It is going to be an incredible second half of the season and tournament run.

And whatever their inconsistencies, they keep winning their games. They've proven they can play their best ball with the game on the line (other than the Cornerstone game, which is an unfortunate anomaly). It's easy to imagine a squad, some past Hope squads, squandering at least a couple of those games.