MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I feel bad for Alma...

Leading by two points with 20 seconds left and the ball.  They inbound then dribble in to a Whitewater defender.  Out of control.  Appropriate foul called.  Whitewater ball.  Two free throws.  Overtime.

Seriously, though, that schedule.

[Fifth and Putnam]

I feel bad for Alma...

Leading by two points with 20 seconds left and the ball.  They inbound then dribble in to a Whitewater defender.  Out of control.  Appropriate foul called.  Whitewater ball.  Two free throws.  Overtime.

Seriously, though, that schedule.

You have to wonder about what the phyche is of this team at this point. They probably have to feel like they can play with anybody in the country, and yet have an 0-7 record to show for it. Whitman still lies ahead of them before MIAA play.

I also have no idea where this team fits in the MIAA puzzle this year. They will certainly be battle tested.

[WUPHF]

You have to wonder about what the phyche is of this team at this point. They probably have to feel like they can play with anybody in the country, and yet have an 0-7 record to show for it.

That schedule!

And yes, you have to wonder.

[Gregory Sager]

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Alma's strength of schedule is rated #1 in D3 in the current Massey. Interestingly, Calvin's is #2 and Olivet's is #6. Hope's is #11.

By marked contrast, Kalamazoo's is #231, Trine's is #258, and Adrian's is #286.

[sac]

I think Alma might be playing one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in all of D3 this Winter

Augustana
Illinois Wesleyan
@ North Central
UW-Platteville @ Wash U
@ WashU or Pomona-Pitzer
@ UW-Oshkosh
@ UW-Whitewater
Sul Ross St.  @ Phoenix
Whitman @ Phoenix
@ St. Norbert
UW-River Falls or St. Scholastica @ St. Norbert

Every opponent or potential opponent had a winning record in 2018
#2, #3, #5, #7, #15 from last years final Top 25.

I got neg bombed for posting this in September.  I see everyone's on board now.

[Gregory Sager]

I think Alma might be playing one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in all of D3 this Winter

Augustana
Illinois Wesleyan
@ North Central
UW-Platteville @ Wash U
@ WashU or Pomona-Pitzer
@ UW-Oshkosh
@ UW-Whitewater
Sul Ross St.  @ Phoenix
Whitman @ Phoenix
@ St. Norbert
UW-River Falls or St. Scholastica @ St. Norbert

Every opponent or potential opponent had a winning record in 2018
#2, #3, #5, #7, #15 from last years final Top 25.

I got neg bombed for posting this in September.  I see everyone's on board now.

[sac]

All four MIAA contests today seem like pretty good "measuring stick" games in different ways.

Kzoo-SAU
Adrian-OWU
Olivet-Thomas More
Hope-Platteville

[KnightSlappy]

All four MIAA contests today seem like pretty good "measuring stick" games in different ways.

Kzoo-SAU
Adrian-OWU
Olivet-Thomas More
Hope-Platteville

My computer ratings have the D3 matchups all within 5 points or less. Should be some good MIAA action today.

[pointlem]

Last week Hope carried a lead much of the game but faded at the end. Today was the reverse . . . a strong finish . . . as Hope lost the first 30 minutes by 10 points, and won the last 10 minutes by 17 points, carried by Jason Beckman . . . and with all but two of the 77 points coming from four starters.

A curious fact about Jason Beckman and Riley Lewis.  After eight games they both are shooting (plus or minus a tenth of a percent) 48.5% of their shots and 38.4% of their 3-point shots. Both are shooting a spectacular ~96% of their free throws. And both have 30 rebounds.

[sac]

Hope 78  Platteville  71

Nice comeback by Hope erasing double digit deficits twice.  Other than messing up an inbounds late in the game Hope closed out this game well, a 180 degree turn from last Saturday. 

These Saturday games after exams I'm never sure how much weight to put on motivated opponent or shaking the exam rust off but that first half from Hope was one part desperately trying to get to halftime within  5 or 6 points and one part failing to do so.  No matter the reason Hope spent nearly the entire 2nd half playing from behind but managed to take the lead late and hang on for the W, all in a 2nd half that felt like they were dominating.

Not sure what happened to Platteville at halftime, after a very well played first half the Pioneers opened the 2nd with 4 straight turnovers and went 7 minutes without scoring, played reasonably well for the next 6 or 7 minutes before letting this one slip away.  After going 7-12 from 3 in the first Platteville went just 1-8 from 3 in the second and recorded 11 second half turnovers.    Door opened, Hope pushed through it.

Beckman 33, Lewis 20, Granger 16

[sac]

3 key names, all starters, missing from Adrian's boxscore vs Ohio Wesleyan
http://miaa.org/sports/mbkb/2018-19/boxscores/20181215_mu6g.xml?view=boxscore

Tre'Shon Heard
Jeremy Kalonji
Sam Colbert.

[HopeKnight]

Last week Hope carried a lead much of the game but faded at the end. Today was the reverse . . . a strong finish . . . as Hope lost the first 30 minutes by 10 points, and won the last 10 minutes by 17 points, carried by Jason Beckman . . . and with all but two of the 77 points coming from four starters.

A curious fact about Jason Beckman and Riley Lewis.  After eight games they both are shooting (plus or minus a tenth of a percent) 48.5% of their shots and 38.4% of their 3-point shots. Both are shooting a spectacular ~96% of their free throws. And both have 30 rebounds.

Both Jason Beckman & Riley Lewis have been great, very interesting similar stats. Starters have been excellent all year while the bench needs to contribute much more, especially the back-up guards. Both Danny Beckman & Hackert are completely overmatched on both ends of the floor and have really struggled. Dietz seems to have some potential but needs much more strength and experience. Mitchell will need to get more than 2 points per game from the bench if Hope expects to be in the mix to win the MIAA. A couple more games before conference play to figure things out.

[HOPEful]

Last week Hope carried a lead much of the game but faded at the end. Today was the reverse . . . a strong finish . . . as Hope lost the first 30 minutes by 10 points, and won the last 10 minutes by 17 points, carried by Jason Beckman . . . and with all but two of the 77 points coming from four starters.

A curious fact about Jason Beckman and Riley Lewis.  After eight games they both are shooting (plus or minus a tenth of a percent) 48.5% of their shots and 38.4% of their 3-point shots. Both are shooting a spectacular ~96% of their free throws. And both have 30 rebounds.

Both Jason Beckman & Riley Lewis have been great, very interesting similar stats. Starters have been excellent all year while the bench needs to contribute much more, especially the back-up guards. Both Danny Beckman & Hackert are completely overmatched on both ends of the floor and have really struggled. Dietz seems to have some potential but needs much more strength and experience. Mitchell will need to get more than 2 points per game from the bench if Hope expects to be in the mix to win the MIAA. A couple more games before conference play to figure things out.

In my opinion, the unsung hero of this game was Teddy Ray. His defense on Duax was impressive. Still, the only reason Hope was able to come back and win the game was due to multiple unforced errors by the Pioneers.

I'll take a win any way I can get one, but I agree wholeheartedly that they can't expect to win every game with Jason, Riley, Preston, and Teddy scoring 90+% of their points.

[sac]

Another good day of MIAA games with "measuring stick" qualities.

Baldwin Wallace @ Trine ---kind of game you'd really like to see Trine win
North Central @ Albion  ---probably(?) the best opponent Albion has faced, outside Evansville
Olivet @ Ferris State   ---defending co-champions weren't in over their heads against the D2 champions last year.

[AndOne]

Another good day of MIAA games with "measuring stick" qualities.

Baldwin Wallace @ Trine ---kind of game you'd really like to see Trine win
North Central @ Albion  ---probably(?) the best opponent Albion has faced, outside Evansville
Olivet @ Ferris State   ---defending co-champions weren't in over their heads against the D2 champions last year.

North Central will be playing without one of their starters who was grotesquely injured Sat night, and lost for the season.