MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[TUAngola]

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.

Gamble got hurt at the end of the Trine game on Wednesday.  Don't know what the extent of his injury is. 

[realist]

In a game somewhat reminiscent of Calvin's home loss to Albion on Saturday, Olivet beats the Knights, using superior perimeter quickness to win 79-71. I thought Ernst made a very curious coaching decision having his team play the second half by mostly taking the air out of the ball, having his guard hold it near half court and using up most of the shot clock. When you're the quicker team, and leading by 12 midway through, it seems to me you're doing your opponent a favor when you don't require your opponent to defend until there is less than 15 second on the shot clock. In the end it didn't matter, but like I said, a curious coaching decision. DeVries with 23, Bykerk, 20 and Walter with 13. Calvin's 19 turnovers were the single most important factor and killed the Knights chances. Jalen Adams was spectacular for Olivet going for 32 points and 11 boards. Other game notes:

--This is not a kind thought to share on a public board but it almost seems to me that some of Calvin's players are cashing in their season early. They just aren't improving like other teams in the league and some Knights defenders frequently just wave at opponents on the way to the basket.

--Turnovers issues have been a problem for most of the year. Generally speaking, this team is simply too impatient, forces passes when a defender clearly is in position, and makes repeated bad decisions with the ball. Don't know how you cure those problems.

Have you forgotten this post?

FWIW:  6 is the remaining number of games HOPEFULLY in someone's coaching career.

[KnightSlappy]

In a game somewhat reminiscent of Calvin's home loss to Albion on Saturday, Olivet beats the Knights, using superior perimeter quickness to win 79-71. I thought Ernst made a very curious coaching decision having his team play the second half by mostly taking the air out of the ball, having his guard hold it near half court and using up most of the shot clock. When you're the quicker team, and leading by 12 midway through, it seems to me you're doing your opponent a favor when you don't require your opponent to defend until there is less than 15 second on the shot clock. In the end it didn't matter, but like I said, a curious coaching decision. DeVries with 23, Bykerk, 20 and Walter with 13. Calvin's 19 turnovers were the single most important factor and killed the Knights chances. Jalen Adams was spectacular for Olivet going for 32 points and 11 boards. Other game notes:

--This is not a kind thought to share on a public board but it almost seems to me that some of Calvin's players are cashing in their season early. They just aren't improving like other teams in the league and some Knights defenders frequently just wave at opponents on the way to the basket.

--Turnovers issues have been a problem for most of the year. Generally speaking, this team is simply too impatient, forces passes when a defender clearly is in position, and makes repeated bad decisions with the ball. Don't know how you cure those problems.

Have you forgotten this post?

FWIW:  6 is the remaining number of games HOPEFULLY in someone's coaching career.

Glad to hear you're actively rooting against Calvin making the conference tournament.

[arena]

In a game somewhat reminiscent of Calvin's home loss to Albion on Saturday, Olivet beats the Knights, using superior perimeter quickness to win 79-71. I thought Ernst made a very curious coaching decision having his team play the second half by mostly taking the air out of the ball, having his guard hold it near half court and using up most of the shot clock. When you're the quicker team, and leading by 12 midway through, it seems to me you're doing your opponent a favor when you don't require your opponent to defend until there is less than 15 second on the shot clock. In the end it didn't matter, but like I said, a curious coaching decision. DeVries with 23, Bykerk, 20 and Walter with 13. Calvin's 19 turnovers were the single most important factor and killed the Knights chances. Jalen Adams was spectacular for Olivet going for 32 points and 11 boards. Other game notes:

--This is not a kind thought to share on a public board but it almost seems to me that some of Calvin's players are cashing in their season early. They just aren't improving like other teams in the league and some Knights defenders frequently just wave at opponents on the way to the basket.

--Turnovers issues have been a problem for most of the year. Generally speaking, this team is simply too impatient, forces passes when a defender clearly is in position, and makes repeated bad decisions with the ball. Don't know how you cure those problems.

Have you forgotten this post?

FWIW:  6 is the remaining number of games HOPEFULLY in someone's coaching career.

Glad to hear you're actively rooting against Calvin making the conference tournament.

The Royals, Cubs, and Astros had to bottom out before success. So does Calvin, and that success starts with a new Head Coach. So yes, I am looking forward to not making the MIAA tournament.

[CK150408]

What is your measure of success? While I'm not always a fan of how this team is coached and have disagreed for a while now on his min distributions(ie. Devries vs Hope). They have won 2 of the last 5 regular season titles, finished 2nd in two other years  and...Theye won 4 of the last 5 MIAA tournaments. Again, not always a fan but hard to argue with those results.

Also, do you really think one year of missing the tournament will cause a change? I for one, would prefer to be a little frustrated with wins then go through multiple years of losing just to see a change.

[arena]

What is your measure of success? While I'm not always a fan of how this team is coached and have disagreed for a while now on his min distributions(ie. Devries vs Hope). They have won 2 of the last 5 regular season titles, finished 2nd in two other years  and...Theye won 4 of the last 5 MIAA tournaments. Again, not always a fan but hard to argue with those results.

Also, do you really think one year of missing the tournament will cause a change? I for one, would prefer to be a little frustrated with wins then go through multiple years of losing just to see a change.

The trend has been down for many years at Calvin. KVS has coached his teams to many unacceptable losses. His system is predictable; the substitution pattern is annoying. One of the only parts of his system I like is his defensive system. When his players buy into it, it works well. It hasn't worked well in a long time.

Change is needed. A new voice needs to lead the program. I do not have an issue with him personally. It is just time to change the direction.

Stale bread is for the birds.

[CK150408]

Again, I agree with pretty much everything you mentioned except your previous comment about bottoming out. Sure it may have worked for the Cubs after 100+ years, and the royals but that may have only lasted a couple years.

It happens too often where fans get frustrated with success that they deem not successful enough and when a change is made the team becomes a losing team for many years before a turnaround. I would just hate to see that happen to Calvin.

[calvinite]

FWIW:  6 is the remaining number of games HOPEFULLY in someone's coaching career.

Be careful what you 'hope' for. I remember my UM buddies THRILLED at the prospect of RichRod arriving on campus. These were same folks who a couple years later said 'He has to go. Worst Defense EVER. No coach could be worse! Then, they were the same folks raving about Hoke -- something I never understood. Looking at Hoke's resume, I couldn't imagine a University like UM hiring someone with a resume like Hoke's, but I was told 'He's a Michigan Man!' He understands the Michigan way. Maybe, but it never made any sense to me. And, even after UM hired their dream coach -- there's still folks criticizing him now.

I think VandeStreek's record speaks for itself. Certainly he has strengths and weaknesses, and I'm as disappointed about this year as anyone. No doubt there are better coaches who THEORETICALLY could coach at Calvin, but there are also ton of coaches who REALISTICALLY  could take his place who would be a whole lot worse.

[wiz]

If you really want to change out faculty that are stinking things up at Calvin, I would suggest starting in the history department.  Then, I could direct you to a few other departments before heading over to the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex.  Just sayin.

[Mr. Ypsi]

FWIW:  6 is the remaining number of games HOPEFULLY in someone's coaching career.

Be careful what you 'hope' for. I remember my UM buddies THRILLED at the prospect of RichRod arriving on campus. These were same folks who a couple years later said 'He has to go. Worst Defense EVER. No coach could be worse! Then, they were the same folks raving about Hoke -- something I never understood. Looking at Hoke's resume, I couldn't imagine a University like UM hiring someone with a resume like Hoke's, but I was told 'He's a Michigan Man!' He understands the Michigan way. Maybe, but it never made any sense to me. And, even after UM hired their dream coach -- there's still folks criticizing him now.

I think VandeStreek's record speaks for itself. Certainly he has strengths and weaknesses, and I'm as disappointed about this year as anyone. No doubt there are better coaches who THEORETICALLY could coach at Calvin, but there are also ton of coaches who REALISTICALLY  could take his place who would be a whole lot worse.

A couple of my bowling buddies always referred to Brady 'Joke' and now Jim 'Harbum' (can't recall their epithet for RichRod); on the other hand, they ARE MSU fans!

My ardor for Jim Harbaugh has certainly cooled, but I'm still at least a couple of years away from calling for his scalp (though he certainly better start at least occasionally beating the 'States' [Ohio, Michigan,  and Penn]! )

[sac]

Losing Tony DeWitte and several weeks of diminished play from Michael Wilks was probably enough to take Calvin from probably being right in the mix at the top of the standings to where they are now.  Certainly worth 2 or 3 more wins.

[GreatScot!?]

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.

Gamble got hurt at the end of the Trine game on Wednesday.  Don't know what the extent of his injury is.

Gamble suffered a concussion against Trine.

[realist]

What is your measure of success? While I'm not always a fan of how this team is coached and have disagreed for a while now on his min distributions(ie. Devries vs Hope). They have won 2 of the last 5 regular season titles, finished 2nd in two other years  and...Theye won 4 of the last 5 MIAA tournaments. Again, not always a fan but hard to argue with those results.

Also, do you really think one year of missing the tournament will cause a change? I for one, would prefer to be a little frustrated with wins then go through multiple years of losing just to see a change.

Good question re: success.   IMHO the men's basketball coach at Calvin should average 20 wins per season.  The President of the college has repeatedly talked about excellence across all areas of campus life.  13-13, and 10-15 are not my idea of excellence.  Compare the numbers the men's soccer program, and the women's volleyball program have put up in the past decade to the men's bball program.  If they can do it why shouldn't we expect a similar performance from the men's coach?

Missing the MIAA tournament is a disgrace, and when Calvin misses it this year it won't be the first time.  Look at 2015-2916.

KS  It is still possible for Calvin to make the MIAA tournament this year.  However, I don't realistically expect it to happen.  Even if Calvin wins out to go 9-5 they need a lot of help to make the tournament. 

Wiz:  Sadly tenure gets in the way of academics.  No coach should ever have the protection of tenure for their coaching duties.

[KnightSlappy]

KS  It is still possible for Calvin to make the MIAA tournament this year.  However, I don't realistically expect it to happen.  Even if Calvin wins out to go 9-5 they need a lot of help to make the tournament. 

Running the table is not likely. But, getting help is easy when the other teams still have to play so many games against each other. I don't believe it would be mathematically possible for Calvin to miss the tournament if they happened to win out. My quick math says the 3 seed would be their floor, but perhaps it could be the 4.

[sac]

KVS has averaged 20 wins per season at Calvin.

Ed Douma averaged 18