MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

I didn't know Chris VanderSlice personally and can only add a little on his basketball background while a student at Hope.  Chris's time mostly precedes this message board.  Chris graduated in 1999.  He played a little as a Fr. on Hope's 1996 Final Four team and was a regular rotation guy in 97 and 98 (Final Four) before becoming a starter his Sr. year.   That 1999 team won its last 7 MIAA games, going from 3-4 in the league to 10-4 and a co-championship with Calvin.

Hope won MIAA titles in 96-97-98 and the co-title in 99, two trips to the Final Four and Sweet 16 during his four years at Hope.

[shknowsbest]

Alma with their first test of the season tonight against Northwood at 7pm! Will be interesting to see how the Scots do tonight.

I think alma has the best chance of winning tonight and i think that they are the team to beat in the miaa this year.

[sac]

Davenport plays Calvin and GVSU plays Hope  tonight at DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland.

Hope scrimmaged Saginaw Valley on Thursday and it was a rough night for the Dutchmen.  Tonight will probably be similar against an at least as equally talented GVSU squad.  But it will be nice hear basketballs hitting the hardwood again and get a first look at Hope's team..

[shknowsbest]

Is Olivet having a tough time on their varsity roster?  I haven't seen any news on their roster anywhere.

[HopeConvert]

#34 for Calvin limping badly and with an ice pack on his knee.

[Young Knight 14]

#34 for Calvin limping badly and with an ice pack on his knee.

Alex Bos is the number 34 you are referring to.  He was helped off the court, but walked back with an ice pack under his own power.

[pointlem]

Davenport 68, Calvin 49 . . . but, on a brighter note, Calvin played to a 2nd half 27-27 tie against speedy Davenport.

I was impressed by the smoothness of Michael Wilks (13 points in 19 minutes).

[KnightSlappy]

Davenport 68, Calvin 49 . . . but, on a brighter note, Calvin played to a 2nd half 27-27 tie against speedy Davenport.

I was impressed by the smoothness of Michael Wilks (13 points in 19 minutes).

I wasn't at the game so I'd be glad to hear from first-hand observers.

Apparently Calvin's woeful three point shooting wasn't magically fixed over the offseason. This will be an issue if it continues to persist. The result was about what I expected, however.

On a positive note, Calvin did win the rebounding battle. They're going to have to do that on a nightly basis this year.

[Young Knight 14]

Davenport 68, Calvin 49 . . . but, on a brighter note, Calvin played to a 2nd half 27-27 tie against speedy Davenport.

I was impressed by the smoothness of Michael Wilks (13 points in 19 minutes).

I wasn't at the game so I'd be glad to hear from first-hand observers.

Apparently Calvin's woeful three point shooting wasn't magically fixed over the offseason. This will be an issue if it continues to persist. The result was about what I expected, however.

On a positive note, Calvin did win the rebounding battle. They're going to have to do that on a nightly basis this year.

I was at the game and am slightly shocked to learn Calvin won the rebounding battle. It didn't feel that way in my own opinion.

As for any sort of games notes I felt like the ball was a little "sticky". There was a lot of one dribble pick the ball up and standing.  The 3 point shooting as you mentioned wasn't great, and few players really looked to score. KVS repeatedly had to tell DeVries to shoot the ball.  Some of this is in part to wierd lineups and early season jitters.  Overall I think the game went as expected by many, Calvin got beat by a better team.

[sflzman]

Wasn't at the game today, but the 51-26 rebound tally seems to tell the story for Alma's matchup with Northwood tonight...

Interesting that in addition to seeing no freshmen tonight, there was also no appearance of Arthell Rosquist the Rockford transfer.

[pointlem]

GVSU 84, Hope 72 . . . a respectable (if at times sloppy) game of swings that saw Hope jump ahead by 8, then fall behind 68 to 46 with 9 minutes left, before surging back within 6 at 78 to 72.

My take is that Hope is blessed with excellent guards and guard depth, and that if the frosh post players can develop (tonight the four of them combined for 2 baskets in 36 minutes of play) this team could be very good by the season's end. They won't face many DIII teams as talented as DII GVSU.

Jason Beckman lived up to his advance billing, by combining with Dante for 23 points. (The surprise was that Dante had zero of those, on 0 for 8 shooting. Such games happen, and best happen when they don't count.)

Good to see Riley Lewis getting quality playing time and hitting his first two 3's.

Is Dennis Towns really just 6' 4"? He certainly plays taller, with 10 rebounds against the taller GVSU front line in foul-limited action tonight.

[Winifred Durfee]

I've discussed this many times. Towns is a solid 6'5" which means Hope should give him a 6'6" roster height. 

I was encouraged by the game tonight. Hope was definitely sloppy at times but that's to be expected with Coach Mitchell getting all kinds of different lineups in the game. Just about everybody played. Hope has some nice size in their Freshman class and Danny Beckman, who looks like a clone of Jason, went 2-3 from 3pt range. I pretty much agree with pointlem's analysis.

[sac]

I've discussed this many times. Towns is a solid 6'5" which means Hope should give him a 6'6" roster height. 

I was encouraged by the game tonight. Hope was definitely sloppy at times but that's to be expected with Coach Mitchell getting all kinds of different lineups in the game. Just about everybody played. Hope has some nice size in their Freshman class and Danny Beckman, who looks like a clone of Jason, went 2-3 from 3pt range. I pretty much agree with pointlem's analysis.

Allow me to interject a brief moment of my inner monologue while Danny and Jason were on the floor together.

"boy, Jason Beckman is really all over the floor"



"hey, wait a second........."

[Winifred Durfee]

I had a similar moment when Danny first came in.

*Jason passes it... and it's caught by Jason........wait*

[HOPEful]

I've discussed this many times. Towns is a solid 6'5" which means Hope should give him a 6'6" roster height. 

The way the MIAA is set up this season, I feel like Towns will play a HUGE part in Hope's success. Last night was an encouraging start!