MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HOPEful]

Administration strictly mentioned to students before the game that any mention of Jordan in any way would result in immediate ejection. This is likely due to the altercation that occurred at the end of last year's MIAA championship game.

Wonder if the game at calvin will be less strict. Seems to me that taunting the opposing teams players has always been a part of this rivalry.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Thinking back to Ben Gardner and Jordan Daley's freshmen experiences with the rivalry.  They've come a long way.

Both very hard-working players, and good to see them in the spotlight last night as seniors. Gardner was the difference and kept Hope in the game in the first half. My recollection is that Ben Gardner was playing starter's minutes as a freshman, while Jordan Daley was mostly playing JV ball and sitting on the end of the bench for varsity.

Daley basically didn't get to play at all his freshman year, and was in Brink's shadow for his soph and jr years, at least as far as shot distribution. This is the only year that he is the main scorer for the Knights, making his career counting stats that much more impressive. His development over four years is impressive, and he will likely end up as 1,000 point scorer. Last night showcased his heart and hard work too, leading rebounder at 6'3" and none of it came easy.

[KnightSlappy]

Thinking back to Ben Gardner and Jordan Daley's freshmen experiences with the rivalry.  They've come a long way.

Both very hard-working players, and good to see them in the spotlight last night as seniors. Gardner was the difference and kept Hope in the game in the first half. My recollection is that Ben Gardner was playing starter's minutes as a freshman, while Jordan Daley was mostly playing JV ball and sitting on the end of the bench for varsity.

Daley basically didn't get to play at all his freshman year, and was in Brink's shadow for his soph and jr years, at least as far as shot distribution. This is the only year that he is the main scorer for the Knights, making his career counting stats that much more impressive. His development over four years is impressive, and he will likely end up as 1,000 point scorer. Last night showcased his heart and hard work too, leading rebounder at 6'3" and none of it came easy.

I have him at 956 career points. He'll pass the mark on Feb. 6 when Calvin hosts Olivet if he hits his season averages the next few games.

[KnightSlappy]

At 3-4, Calvin now faces the very real possibility of falling out of the race for the post season tournament. Saturday will be their third straight road game, this one against Trine in Angola, a place where Calvin almost never seems to play well. Alma is very much in control at 7-0 and a win at DeVos next week should decide the race.

Three-way tie for fourth right now between Adrian, Calvin, and Trine. Calvin beat Trine who beat Adrian who beat Calvin. All three lost to Alma, Hope, and Albion. All three beat Olivet and Kalamazoo.

Not sure what the tiebreak would be if we finished the second turn through the league with the same scenario.

Calvin at Trine certainly looms large Saturday. If the Knights win, they effectively take a two-game lead over the Thunder.

[sac]

Just from eyeballing the teams, I actually like Adrian to get that 4th spot, but they've already lost at home twice so they have a little more difficult task ahead. 

[sflzman]

Honestly not so sure we can pencil Albion in as #3 (yet). Only a one game lead and they have played close games with everybody (except kzoo) whether they've won or lost. Honestly it's not that unlikely that by Wednesday they're on the outside looking in. Wouldn't surprise me if Albion @ Trine in the final weekend of the season had huge playoff implications.

[sac]

Thinking back to Ben Gardner and Jordan Daley's freshmen experiences with the rivalry.  They've come a long way.

Both very hard-working players, and good to see them in the spotlight last night as seniors. Gardner was the difference and kept Hope in the game in the first half. My recollection is that Ben Gardner was playing starter's minutes as a freshman, while Jordan Daley was mostly playing JV ball and sitting on the end of the bench for varsity.

Daley basically didn't get to play at all his freshman year, and was in Brink's shadow for his soph and jr years, at least as far as shot distribution. This is the only year that he is the main scorer for the Knights, making his career counting stats that much more impressive. His development over four years is impressive, and he will likely end up as 1,000 point scorer. Last night showcased his heart and hard work too, leading rebounder at 6'3" and none of it came easy.

You're partially correct on Gardner.  Gardner was not a starter for Hope until Colton Overway went down with a season ending injury, so he was able to start the last regular season game against Calvin where he played very well, and the tournament game.

Gardner's first game was  2pts, 2 rbs, 2 to's in 10 minutes
Daley's first game was  0pts, 0rbs 1 to in 2 minutes

What doesn't show in those stat lines is Gardner getting beat defensively (maybe abused is a better word) by Bryan Powell and Dave Reitema.  I guess I was thinking more of Daley's Sophomore year when he was starting and in the two regular season games logged 8 points and 9 turnovers and was a liability on defense, earning the (apparently now banned) "We love Daley" from the Dew Crew. 

[HopeConvert]

I thought the difference in the game last night was the apparent change in offensive strategy between the two halves. In the first half, Hope seemed passive to me, content to swing the ball around the perimeter, waiting for openings, and settling for low percentage shots. In the second half they wee more aggressive attacking the basket, which they need to do in order to be successful. The difference showed: 29 points in the first half, 46 in the second. 

When they attack the basket, Hope is a tough matchup. I'd like to see them do it more (depending, of course, on the other teams' defense).

[HopeConvert]

And, by the way, is no one going to say anything about that corner 3 Denny hit in the second half?

[almcguirejr]

And, by the way, is no one going to say anything about that corner 3 Denny hit in the second half?

I usually say something every time he cranks a 3 up.  But, last night he was effective from beyond the arc.

[knightvision]

Some thoughts/reactions to last night and looking ahead to round two of the conference slate, in no particular order:

1) If my math is correct, at least 100 minutes of PT last night for Calvin was by players who were playing in their first Hope-Calvin game--and it looked like it.  There is no substitute for experience when it comes to this game, and a bunch of guys that appear to be part of the nucleus moving forward now have some. 

2) I was quite surprised that the game was as close as it was, and as others have noted, Jordan Daley and Cam Denney deserve a ton of credit for putting the team on their back and playing their guts out.  In addition, though, I also think that part of the reason the game was as close as it was is the fact that Hope is still searching for a regular rotation, an identity, and just doesn't seem to be firing on all cylinders, which leads me to....   

3) It seems weird that I would even describe a 16-2 team as "struggling", but it kind of feels that way when I watch Hope.  GM continues to strike me as a "defense-first" coach who is all about playing with maximum effort all the time and a "share the ball" approach to offense.  His halftime comments on TV highlighted for me that he was more than a little upset with the defensive effort (I'd bet some money that the word "outworked" got used at halftime) and selfishness on offense.  I and others have referenced some surprise at GM's ongoing tinkering with the line-up and rotation, and much of it has been dismissed as in game adjustments and the like.  Sorry, I'm not buying.  I personally think he is searching for guys who are going to consistently play their guts out on defense and share the ball on offense, and call me crazy, but I think it's frustrating him to no end that with all the talent and athleticism on his roster that he can't find 7-8 guys who bring that every night from the opening bell.  When you have some starters/regulars who aren't bringing that, I don't think it's in his DNA to just let it slide...ergo, changing line-ups and giving guys who haven't played much an opportunity, hoping somebody steps up.  When Hope gets after people defensively and gets out in transition on offense, they are really good, and I mean reeallllyyyy good.  They played that way for the majority of the game against Cornerstone early in the year, and with the exception of some periodic sightings here and there when their backs are against the wall since then, it's been AWOL for long stretches. 

4) This game is usually a big recruiting night, and I can't think of his first name but pretty sure I saw the Costen kid from Hudsonville, a combo guard, with some Hope gear sitting behind the Hope bench.  Seems I also heard that the Zeeland East to Hope pipeline was continuing with a mid-sized wing whose name escapes me who is thought to have some nice potential. 

5) Speaking of looking behind the bench, I was relieved to not have to look at oldknight's mug sitting behind Calvin's during the telecast last night.  I'm guessing he was probably a row or two up on one of the end lines bragging to the fans seated behind him about how sure-handed he was and how safe they should feel.  Can anyone please repost the infamous ok fumblerooski from last year that brought a smile to so many faces?

6) I am already dreading having to make some decisions in the pick-em contest for the second half of the conference slate.  It is going to be so fascinating to see who steps up and grabs spots 3 & 4 for the conference tourney...

[sac]

+1 or road win, -1 for home loss
Alma      7-0    +3
Hope     6-1    +2
Albion    4-3    +1
Calvin    3-4     0
Adrian   3-4     -1
Trine      3-4    -1
Olivet     2-5    -1
Kzoo      0-7    -3

Home teams are 19-9  (5 of those losses belong to Kzoo, Olivet)

Remaining games:
Adrian:   @Olivet-------Alma, Trine-------------@Albion,@Hope---------@Calvin, Kzoo
Albion:    Hope----------@Calvin, @Kzoo-------Adrian, Olivet-----------Alma, @Trine
Alma:      Kzoo----------@Adrian,@Hope-------Calvin, Trine-------------@Albion, @Olivet
Calvin:    @Trine--------Albion, Olivet----------@Alma, @Kzoo-----------Adrian, Hope
Hope:     @Albion-------Olivet, Alma-----------@Trine, Adrian-----------@Kzoo, @Calvin
Kzoo:     @Alma---------Trine, Albion-----------@Olivet, Calvin-----------Hope, @Adrian
Olivet:     Adrian--------@Hope, @Calvin------Kzoo, @Albion------------Trine, Alma
Trine:      Calvin---------@Kzoo, @Adrian------Hope, @Alma-------------@Olivet, Albion


If everyone in the top 6 wins their remaining home games and beats both Kzoo and Olivet( any win on the road vs any of these 6 teams is a really big win.)

Alma     11-3
Hope     10-4
Albion     9-5
Calvin     8-6
Trine       8-6
Adrian     7-7

[oldknight]

Some thoughts/reactions to last night and looking ahead to round two of the conference slate, in no particular order:

1) If my math is correct, at least 100 minutes of PT last night for Calvin was by players who were playing in their first Hope-Calvin game--and it looked like it.  There is no substitute for experience when it comes to this game, and a bunch of guys that appear to be part of the nucleus moving forward now have some. 

2) I was quite surprised that the game was as close as it was, and as others have noted, Jordan Daley and Cam Denney deserve a ton of credit for putting the team on their back and playing their guts out.  In addition, though, I also think that part of the reason the game was as close as it was is the fact that Hope is still searching for a regular rotation, an identity, and just doesn't seem to be firing on all cylinders, which leads me to....   

3) It seems weird that I would even describe a 16-2 team as "struggling", but it kind of feels that way when I watch Hope.  GM continues to strike me as a "defense-first" coach who is all about playing with maximum effort all the time and a "share the ball" approach to offense.  His halftime comments on TV highlighted for me that he was more than a little upset with the defensive effort (I'd bet some money that the word "outworked" got used at halftime) and selfishness on offense.  I and others have referenced some surprise at GM's ongoing tinkering with the line-up and rotation, and much of it has been dismissed as in game adjustments and the like.  Sorry, I'm not buying.  I personally think he is searching for guys who are going to consistently play their guts out on defense and share the ball on offense, and call me crazy, but I think it's frustrating him to no end that with all the talent and athleticism on his roster that he can't find 7-8 guys who bring that every night from the opening bell.  When you have some starters/regulars who aren't bringing that, I don't think it's in his DNA to just let it slide...ergo, changing line-ups and giving guys who haven't played much an opportunity, hoping somebody steps up.  When Hope gets after people defensively and gets out in transition on offense, they are really good, and I mean reeallllyyyy good.  They played that way for the majority of the game against Cornerstone early in the year, and with the exception of some periodic sightings here and there when their backs are against the wall since then, it's been AWOL for long stretches. 

4) This game is usually a big recruiting night, and I can't think of his first name but pretty sure I saw the Costen kid from Hudsonville, a combo guard, with some Hope gear sitting behind the Hope bench.  Seems I also heard that the Zeeland East to Hope pipeline was continuing with a mid-sized wing whose name escapes me who is thought to have some nice potential. 

5) Speaking of looking behind the bench, I was relieved to not have to look at oldknight's mug sitting behind Calvin's during the telecast last night.  I'm guessing he was probably a row or two up on one of the end lines bragging to the fans seated behind him about how sure-handed he was and how safe they should feel.  Can anyone please repost the infamous ok fumblerooski from last year that brought a smile to so many faces?

6) I am already dreading having to make some decisions in the pick-em contest for the second half of the conference slate.  It is going to be so fascinating to see who steps up and grabs spots 3 & 4 for the conference tourney...

Knightvision's post generates the following random thoughts:

--Last night I forgot to mention kv's keen observation that the Calvin players with lesser experience in the rivalry (Hope basically has none in this category) did have a little bit of the "deer in the headlights" quality to their play. Not to pick on Siegel at all--who I think is rounding into a very effective player destined to sooner or later be a starter--but he certainly looked unsure of himself. I also found the insertion of Carlos Amoros into the game very curious. He played the off-the-bench minutes that Kronemeyer would ordinarily play. Did any of the broadcast teams mention the reason for Calvin's failure to play Nick--such as an injury that wasn't apparent? He didn't embarrass himself but it seems like an odd game to play a freshmen who has barely logged any varsity minutes prior to last night.

--Have seen the Costen kid play this year and he's a pretty nice player. Given the strong Hudsonville to Hope connection, I wouldn't be too surprised to see him don orange and blue next year. I did have a brief chat with former Knight star Ryan Stevens, current Calvin Christian head coach and former rec league teammate of mine, when he showed up in the seat behind me. Wanted to ask him about his son's college plans but Ryan must have guessed at that and he quickly abandoned his spot to sit at the other end.

--Agree with HC's comment that Hope's offense looked more aggressive after the break, though when you shoot 14-25 as Hope did, you always look better. Calvin was only 10-31 the second half so it's to their credit that they were only down 4 points after Cam Denney hit that ridiculous fade-away three ball from deeeep in the corner at the 4:30 mark. Denney could have gotten the deficit down to three just a minute later if he hadn't foregone an easy layup by taking off too early on his failed dunk attempt.

--Speaking of the Denney fadeaway triple, it would be a lot more fun to see video of HC putting his head in hands and weeping after Cam's basket, rather than revisiting olknight's hamhanded effort of last year when he dropped the ball on the head of TJ Huizenga's mom--just a second after TJ swatted it into the same endzone seat I occupied last night. What knightvision neglects to mention is how oldknight saved kv's mug from a laser while we were watching the Wheaton/Hope game in December.

--A Calvin loss at Trine Saturday puts the Knights on the outside looking in, but a win is huge. Not only does a Calvin win put the Knights up one game on the Thunder, but it also gives Calvin a sweep of the season series. Aren't head-to-head matchups the first tie breaker if both teams finish fourth?

[realist]

OK.  I just watched the game on tv.  When Amoros was subbed I figured it was to get a better match up on Hope's guards.  He is probably the quickest  option that KVS has.
Neither Parks nor Canonie had what you would call a good offensive showing.  Parks finally hit a 3, but after the game was already decided. 

[sac]

Parks was noticeably limping after the game, that might explain his poor shooting lately.