MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[monsoon]

Final from Angola:

Hope   88
Trine   84

[oldknight]

At the risk of being totally misunderstood on this board, I probably should merely state that I think Bulldog30's analysis of the first half is spot-on, including his mention that Adrian would have benefited from a loose whistle. I don't think they got a tight whistle, but it wasn't loose, which the Bulldogs could have used. But as the inestimable Mrs. Oldknight recently mentioned, I've never been overly concerned with what people think of me so I'll take a chance at implied criticism of the players and their apparent inability to change.

The game wasn't two minutes old when I said out loud, to no one in particular, "What is Adrian doing?" The Bulldogs defense had to know that Derrick DeVries is the most dangerous player Calvin has on offense if you leave him alone, and on back-to-back-to-back possessions, Adrian left the Covenant Christian Charger totally unmolested in the corner to take two wide open triples, and another shot closer to the basket, two of which he drained. Adrian did better after that but it only seemed to whet Derrick's appetite and he finished the game with 29, going 7-10 from downtown. Like their last two opponents, Adrian has excellent perimeter quickness which they tried to utilize, but Calvin's big men did something we haven't seen much of lately--they recognized and passed out of the double team smartly and earlier, and the Knights rotated the ball well leaving Adrian defenders scrambling to catch up. Too often they failed and Calvin finished the night with only 9 turnovers and a ton of good looks. When Adrian was trailing by 3 at the break despite shooting over 60% from the floor, it seemed to me that as long as Calvin took care of the ball, they would win, though I didn't see a 22 point win coming. Harris is a terrific point guard and an excellent defender, while Webster is steady-Eddie for his team. Each player finished with 20 but no one else stepped up to help, and Adrian doesn't appear to be deep. In addition to DeVries with 29, Bykerk added 20, and Canonie and Wilks added 11 each. Other game notes:

--Bykerk was terrific and the key to the win. His recognition of the double team and his ability to pass out of it (and Jason Walter's too) at just the right time really set up the excellent perimeter shooting Calvin got. Calvin hasn't been able to get many good looks the last three games, but got a bunch today. It's no accident the shooting percentage improved. Bykerk had the ball a lot and finished the game with nary a turnover and 6 assists. Like I said--he keyed the win. I'm looking hard to imply criticism here but haven't been able to find any yet. Stay tuned though.

--I mentioned to someone at the game that Adrian played Bykerk in a most interesting way. The Buldogs put a guard on him at the start of the possession and then immediately ran a second or even third defender at him in the hope of a bad decision. It didn't work as Bykerk was patient and took his opportunities in the paint, finishing the game with 6 assists and 0 turnovers. But I'm blaming it all on the Adrian defenders and maybe I should stop doing that.

--With the top three teams losing, a four way log-jam at the top. I'm not certain about this, but I think Hope did Calvin a favor by beating Trine. A wacky year and I'm blaming the players.

--I just have this nagging feeling that the last millisecond putback by Paprocki at the Roller Dome is going to cost Calvin this year. Personally, I blame the players for that.

--

[arena]

6

[TUAngola]

Another OT game in Angola, this one goes to Hope 88-84 over Trine.

The game was eerily similar to the OT game on Wednesday against Alma, lots of runs, ton of lead changes.  I thought we looked a bit tired, but our effort I can't question.  Hope is a good ballclub.  I know I've read posts that Hope doesn't play defense very well.  Maybe on the interior, but your perimeter defense I thought was solid, not a lot of open looks for our shooters.  Just a couple of bad defensive rotations by Trine at the end of OT led to wide open looks by Ray and Beckman and they both drained them to put Hope up 4.  Overall I thought it was a well played game on both ends.  We made Beckman work for everything he got, he is crazy good at hitting shots with guys in his face.  Hunter and Copeland again has outstanding games inside, and probably the best interior defense I've seen by Trine this year.  Hunter with several blocks. 

All 3 leaders in MIAA go down, so now we have a 4 way tie for first, Adrian, Hope, Olivet and Trine.  Alma and Albion just 1 game back, Calvin 2 games.  Only team probably with no shot at tournament is Kalamazoo, but they can play spoiler with some upsets.     

[Goknights2017]

Calvin 94

Adrian 72

Calvin's size was a match for Adrian's athleticism. Austin Bykerk was impressive, finishing with 20 pts, 8 reb, and 6 assists. De Vries, 29 pts with 7 treys, was the main perimeter beneficiary of Adrian's decision to double the post when it went inside to Bykerk. Adrian also decided to switch most screens. This led to easy matchups down low for Bykerk. Adrian really had no answer for Bykerk and De Vries. Calvin proved that they could handle teams that were quicker and more athletic than they are. For Adrian, Justin Webster added 20 pts and 9 rebounds. At times, especially in the first half, Adrian looked like the better team. They are quick and athletic with some good shooters. However, in the second half, Calvin was able to out rebounded the bulldogs 23-10 while putting on a shooting clinic.

On another note, there have been many on this site recently heavily criticizing Calvin's longtime leader. Whatever your beliefs may be about his coaching, you have to admit that he was able to develop a great game plan to beat the top MIAA team at the moment.  KVS continually implored his team to throw the ball inside and was quite irate when they failed to do so.  The plan worked well.

This is certainly shaping up to be a close and very competitive MIAA season. I could certainly see 7 of the 8 teams coming away with a championship. Have we ever seen a four way tie for first at 5-3?

[KnightSlappy]

The arena scoreboard showed 95 points for Calvin but the box score is now saying 94. 

According to the efficiency metrics, this was Calvin's best performance of the season (even without the extra point).

[MaroonKnighty]

6

I might be a little late to the game on this and don't feel like going back to figure it out.  What does 6 mean?

[KnightSlappy]

6

I might be a little late to the game on this and don't feel like going back to figure it out.  What does 6 mean?

Games left until Calvin wins the league title I think.

[shknowsbest]

One little side note, it looked like harris from adrian got in the coaches doghouse around the 9 minute mark,  and didn't get back in the game.  He was having a good game until than.  I don't think it would of changed  the outcome, just maybe the margin of victory.  Great all around game from Calvin, looks like Wilks is starting to shoot better.

[Bulldog30]

I feel like I'm often one of the few giving a recap for an Adrian game. Play Calvin, and boom...recaps.

The Calvinists have covered most of what happened. First, completely agree that a big part of this win was a great game plan by Calvin. Adrian has been consistent in their scheme, and I think Calvin took advantage of that today with their size being an important part of that.

Second,the refs tightness of the game had nothing to do with this one. Maybe if this was a close one, but not when the game is that far out of hand.

Third, connected with my complaints of not putting a player in on free throws, Adrian does NOT offensive rebound. No, it is not that they CAN'T offensive rebound. It's that it would seem they choose not to. Almost every shot, Adrian players run back on defense. I have to feel this is strategic to allow no fast breaks, but I feel you could send 2 or 3 in and still get back with their speed. I hope there are some analytics that support this strategy. (By the way...37 to 23 for Calvin in rebounds)

4th, DeVries??? More like DeThrees! Amirite?!? (Has that joke been done? I'm new to the board)

This league is crazy tight, and not just with records, but with skill. Going is a nerve wracking stretch.

[sac]

Hope 88 Trine 84 OT

Super ballgame at Trine's beautiful MTI Center (highly recommend a visit).  Tight ballgame all the way, in which a little bit amazingly Hope led for most of it.  Biggest lead 6, biggest deficit 3.  More clutch shots and big misses by both teams down the stretch and into overtime than I can count.  High level of play all around.  A lot of fun to watch

Kind of interesting that Trine made 3's on 3 straight possessions with Hope up 68-64 to lead 73-71 in regulation, then Hope returned the favor with 3 straight 3's in overtime down 77-75 to lead 86-82 and hold on for the win.


For the first time all year I think Hope played a pretty good* defensive game, and played an excellent game on the road.    *--good being highly subjective for this team


Hope:   Beckman 25, Hawkins 17, Ray 14, Lewis 11, Towns 10
Trine:   Copeland 19, Johnson 18, Hunter 17, Smith 10, Winters 10

Hunter and Ray had double-doubles.

[sac]

+1 for road win
-1 for home loss

Trine      5-3   +1    (OLI, @Adr, CAL, @Alb, KZO, @Alm)
Adrian   5-3    +1    (ALB, TRN, @Hpe, @OLI, ALM, @KZO)
Olivet    5-3    +1    (@Trn, @Kzo, ALM, ADR, HPE, @Cal)
Hope     5-3    +1    (KZO, @Cal, ADR, @Alm, @Oli, ALB)
Alma     4-4      0     (@Cal, ALB, @Oli, HPE, @Adr, TRN)
Albion    4-4     0      (@Adr, @Alm, KZO, TRN, CAL, @Hpe)
Calvin    3-5     0     (ALM, HPE, @Trn, KZO, @Alb, OLI)
Kazoo    1-7    -4     (@Hpe, OLI, @Alb, @Cal, @Trn, ADR)


Not just tied at 5-3, but effectively tied with equal number of home games remaining.  I might give the advantage to Olivet and Adrian now, 3 home games plus a very winnable road game at Kalamazoo.  In theory it would be easier for one of them to reach 10 wins and that just might be enough.

Albion....... what the blazes man.......2nd worst offensive team by efficiency lights up Hope and Olivet for 86 and 101 points this week.

Never to early to think tie-breaks,  3 of the 4 results today made the head-to-heads 1-1.  Alma has beaten Kzoo twice.  Something to keep in the back of the mind as we go forward.

[hopefan]

Yep... the MIAA is very special... along with the MIAA, only the SAA shows a 4 way tie for first at this point in the season, and the SAA's tie will be broken today as two of the leaders, Birmingham-So and Oglethorpe play each other today.....

SOME FUN!!!!

[shknowsbest]

Is Bradfield and/or Gamble hurt at alma,  neither played yesterday and bradfield hasn't played the last 2 games.

[sac]

Is Bradfield and/or Gamble hurt at alma,  neither played yesterday and bradfield hasn't played the last 2 games.

I was at the game Bradfield got hurt last Saturday, he and Heard from Adrian looked like they stepped on each others ankles.   Heard returned but Bradfield spent the rest of the game on the trainers table.  I would guess ankle or knee.

Can't speak for Gamble's absence yesterday but he missed a couple games around the new year as well.