MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[GreatScot!?]

Alma attempted 50 3-point shots against Olivet and made 25 in their 113-90 win.  Olivet attempted 30
http://miaa.org/sports/mbkb/2016-17/boxscores/20170218_tndl.xml

Alma had 102 points with 8 minutes left in the game Also, Steve Harvey tied the old Alma record for 3's made in a game at 8, and Preston Laketa made 6 as well.

[KnightSlappy]

Despite yesterday's loss, Hope could still possibly host a pod in the NCAA Tournament if they win the MIAA AQ. Not a slam dunk by any means.

If they win the AQ but do not host, they'll likely be sent to a second-tier host site (a team ranked 2nd or 3rd in their region). Possibilities include Hanover, UW-Whitewater, and St. John Fisher. Wash U. would be a worst case scenario.

If they do host they'll probably get at least one big name program to the pod. Could be CCIW champ (assuming they don't host), NCAC champ, or a WIAC runner up (depending on if they need to draw teams from the east or west to balance the bracket) Unlikely to see anyone from the OAC unless someone other than Marietta or John Carroll wins the AQ. The first round opponent could be HCAC, MWC (St. Norbert), NATHC (Benedictine), or even a SUNYAC like Brockport, if they get in. I doubt they'll see the AMCC or PAC champion in the first round; those should go to pods of higher ranked teams.

If Alma, Calvin, or Trine win the AQ, they'll hit the road and probably play a highly ranked host in the first round. Marietta, Wash U., and Rochester (within 500 miles for all three) would be very good possibilities. Maybe Whitewater if they win out (none of the MIAAs can get to River Falls within 500 miles). Could also be candidates to fly to Whitman to fill out that pod.

[sac]

That second Central Region host is going to be a tough one:

Even though Washington-St.Louis is in position to host from the Central Region, they may not since their women's program is ranked #1 in their region and would be in-line to host this year (odd year, 1st weekend priority to women).  So then you're looking at Eau Claire/Whitewater or CCIW Champion, possibly even Benedictine as the other Central Region host.  As KS notes River Falls is just out of range at 520+ miles, putting a 2nd regional site a mere 40 miles from River Falls in Eau Claire might be troublesome.



So, if Hope should make it in the field I think they'd be looking at Hanover, Central Region 2nd host, Marietta, hosting themselves or flying someplace exotic.  Something like 35-35-15-10-5 probabilities attached.

[Pat Coleman]

Sometimes with those situations, they would put a regional somewhere where Wash U is still the highest-seeded team there, but the third-seeded team or someone else might be given the hosting rights.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Sometimes with those situations, they would put a regional somewhere where Wash U is still the highest-seeded team there, but the third-seeded team or someone else might be given the hosting rights.

To expand on that, sometimes the entire bracket just moves to another school. That isn't always possible, but it appears to have happened in the past.

Also keep in mind what the committee has done the last few years... they are already "seeding" the Top 16 across the country. While the top two in each region equals 16, that doesn't mean the second-ranked team will get a hosting chance. And of course, geographics like Texas this year will play a significant role.

[sac]

Alma's 50 3-point attempts has to be a league record.  At least a high going back to Trine's 2 year experiment with system ball.

[shknowsbest]

I was at the hope-calvin game and it wasn't pretty, but both teams played all out for pride.   The officials were kind of one sided in the 1st half.  Canonie got 3 offensive fouls, one a charge, one on scrambling for a loose ball and the most bizarre call i have ever seen,  a foul called on a offensive pass that his hand glanced off the defender on the follow through and than the ref went to the monitor to see if it was a flagrant call!

[maroonandgold]

Hope has the yips from in close the last few games.  Wasn't disappointed in the effort only its execution.  Hope played really tough d the last 1/4 of the game and OT, had many stops they just didn't get rewarded for.

Season finish now looks a lot more like 2014 than 2012 or better.  Up to the Dutchmen to figure out how badly they want it.


Trine vs Calvin in semi #1
Alma vs Hope in semi #2

Right now, Trine's walking away with it from what I've watched the last two weeks.  A couple teams can change that.

What is the deal on tickets?   Are a certain number available to each school in the tournament, or are they just available at the door?

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Hope has the yips from in close the last few games.  Wasn't disappointed in the effort only its execution.  Hope played really tough d the last 1/4 of the game and OT, had many stops they just didn't get rewarded for.

Season finish now looks a lot more like 2014 than 2012 or better.  Up to the Dutchmen to figure out how badly they want it.


Trine vs Calvin in semi #1
Alma vs Hope in semi #2

Right now, Trine's walking away with it from what I've watched the last two weeks.  A couple teams can change that.

What is the deal on tickets?   Are a certain number available to each school in the tournament, or are they just available at the door?

In the past it's always been something like 1/2 of the tickets go to the host, and 1/6 each to the other 4 teams.  Each school should have their own allotment of tickets.

[Roundball999]

I was at the hope-calvin game and it wasn't pretty, but both teams played all out for pride.   The officials were kind of one sided in the 1st half.  Canonie got 3 offensive fouls, one a charge, one on scrambling for a loose ball and the most bizarre call i have ever seen,  a foul called on a offensive pass that his hand glanced off the defender on the follow through and than the ref went to the monitor to see if it was a flagrant call!

That last call looked a little different on video than what you saw.  I agree that it wasn't close to being flagrant, but it was an elbow not a hand that hit Hawkins in the face.  Canonie was swinging his elbows high, which is probably what prompted the flagrant review.  Certainly didn't appear intentional, but I think a foul call is likely any time you get those elbows up high and make contact even if you're in the act of passing.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I was at the hope-calvin game and it wasn't pretty, but both teams played all out for pride.   The officials were kind of one sided in the 1st half.  Canonie got 3 offensive fouls, one a charge, one on scrambling for a loose ball and the most bizarre call i have ever seen,  a foul called on a offensive pass that his hand glanced off the defender on the follow through and than the ref went to the monitor to see if it was a flagrant call!

The "strange call" you reference involved elbow contact with the head of the opposing player.  Pretty standard for the officials to discuss that to determine if it was flagrant - just happened it was a televised game so they could review it via replay. Based on all the discussions I've heard on DI televised games, by the "letter of the law", contact with the head is a flagrant foul regardless of intent.  I personally had no problem with it just being a common foul.

[bigboy32]

Sitting around on Saturday evening looking at the box scores, it reminded me why the "survive and advance" part of college basketball is so much fun. It's often unpredictable, although the favorites certainly get their share of W's. In my opinion, Hope definitely has the most talent, but if they can't find a way to shoot it better than they did last week, others start to look awfully dangerous. Calvin has size, some experience, a coach who has seen it all and just won on the floor of the host. Trine just went into the one of the toughest gyms to play in and shot 50/60/90 from fg/3/ft, and has Dixon and some others who can light it up. Alma just made 25 threes in a game on 50% shooting...not sure anyone will beat them if they have a night like that again. It should be a fun two days in Holland!

[HOPEful]

I was at the hope-calvin game and it wasn't pretty, but both teams played all out for pride.   The officials were kind of one sided in the 1st half.  Canonie got 3 offensive fouls, one a charge, one on scrambling for a loose ball and the most bizarre call i have ever seen,  a foul called on a offensive pass that his hand glanced off the defender on the follow through and than the ref went to the monitor to see if it was a flagrant call!

The "strange call" you reference involved elbow contact with the head of the opposing player.  Pretty standard for the officials to discuss that to determine if it was flagrant - just happened it was a televised game so they could review it via replay. Based on all the discussions I've heard on DI televised games, by the "letter of the law", contact with the head is a flagrant foul regardless of intent.  I personally had no problem with it just being a common foul.

Agreed. I thought there were a few "questionable" calls both ways. Its been pretty amazing how many blatant travels have been missed this season in the games I've attended. I can't help but agree with Greg Mitchell when I can read his lips begging the referees, "How did you not see that!?" (don't worry, I'm not referencing the slide!)... But the elbow to the head of Hawkins was pretty easy to see and the going to the video is standard protocol for any contact to the head.

Just to be clear though, the reason Hope lost the game had nothing to do with bad calls. Hope was out rebounded 51 to 33 and shot 5 for 26 from three point land. I thought that Coach Mitchell, who I feel normally does an incredible job of making in game adjustments, struggled to game plan to the extremely physical way the game was called. I am still confused to why Hope continued to go to the 5'7" and 5'10" guards to drive in for layups, knowing that a generous amount of contact was being allowed in the paint. With the amount of contact that had been consistently allowed on both ends of the court all game, Dante should have been well aware that the refs would swallow their whistles should he get mugged driving to the hoop for the last shot of regulation.

Alas. It was their first loss in the MIAA and their first loss at home since December 10th. Not to mention they had a shot to win it in regulation despite being grossly out rebounded and missing their shots. I think panicking would be an over-reaction. I look forward to a (hopefully) rubber match on Saturday.

[KnightSlappy]

Hope has the yips from in close the last few games.  Wasn't disappointed in the effort only its execution.  Hope played really tough d the last 1/4 of the game and OT, had many stops they just didn't get rewarded for.

Season finish now looks a lot more like 2014 than 2012 or better.  Up to the Dutchmen to figure out how badly they want it.


Trine vs Calvin in semi #1
Alma vs Hope in semi #2

Right now, Trine's walking away with it from what I've watched the last two weeks.  A couple teams can change that.

What is the deal on tickets?   Are a certain number available to each school in the tournament, or are they just available at the door?

In the past it's always been something like 1/2 of the tickets go to the host, and 1/6 each to the other 4 teams.  Each school should have their own allotment of tickets.

Calvin is saying they won't have tickets available for the Semifinals through their box office. All orders have to go through Hope's box office starting tomorrow at 9 am.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

As one who has run video productions with video review available for several years, the elbow to the head is SOP to be reviewed. Most times it is called a flagrant, but sometimes it is not depending on the circumstances (or they notice it wasn't the head despite the defender's "reaction").

Also one to keep in mind is the "sphere" rule. If a player has a ball say on a rebound and defender(s) encroaches and enters the offensive player's sphere to either draw a foul or get hit with an elbow (i.e. flagrant), the call actually now goes against the defender. They have to give the offensive player a sphere of space around them. That has cut down on some of the elbow calls that have gone against the offensive player when they shouldn't have been (still can't throw your elbows around to clear more space than what your sphere allows).