MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Calvin's MBB 2023-2024 schedule it out:

https://calvinknights.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

Very challenging non-conference schedule including games against 3 from the WIAC; La Crosse, Stevens Point, and Platteville, the latter as part of the Trine holiday tournament held between Christmas and New Years.  That tourney also includes a very good Berry GA squad.  Other notable games are Wheaton and St Norbert plus two games in the Great Lakes Invitational.

10 days between the two rivalry games smack dab in the middle of the league schedule - yuck!!!!!!

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Updated recruit list (total is now 56):

Player	Height	Position	High School	College
Xzavier Brooks	5-10	PG	Ypsi Arbor Prep (MI)	Adrian
Luke Rager	6-0	PG	Huron (OH)	Adrian
Antonio Sanders	6-1	G	Frederick Douglas (MI)	Adrian
Cayden Lepper	6-2	G	Rockford (MI)	Adrian
Grant Stockford	6-3	G/F	Clinton (MI)	Adrian
Braylon Dickerson	6-4	G	Ann Arbor Huron (MI)	Adrian
Dylan Gira	6-4	F	Anchor Bay (MI)	Adrian
Darius Welch	6-6	F	Lansing Waverly (MI)	Adrian
Deonte Roberts	5-9	G	Lansing Waverly (MI)	Albion
Dwayne Ray Jr	5-9	G	North Farmington (MI)	Albion
JP Spybrook	5-11	G	Kalamazoo Central (MI)	Albion
Brian Hunter Jr	6-0	G	Dallas (TX) / Lake Mich College transfer	Albion
Sincere Germany	6-3	G	Cathedral (IN)	Albion
Logan Stoep-Stockwell	6-4	F	Grandville (MI)	Albion
Nate Delaney	6-7	F	Forest Hills Central (MI)	Albion
Dai'John Chandler	5-8	PG	Lansing Sexton (MI)	Alma
Connor Florenski	6-3	G/F	Powers North Central (MI)	Alma
Mason Hallett	6-3	G	Mona Shores (MI)	Alma
Bryce Garbacz	6-4	G/F	Plymouth (MI)	Alma
Luch Guerrrazzi	6-6	F	Lansing Catholic (MI)	Alma
Logan St Martin	6-6	F	Kalamazoo Hackett (MI)	Alma
Jax Wilson	6-1	G	Sparta (MI)	Calvin
Kyle Cannon	6-2	G	Holland Christian (MI)	Calvin
Jordan Scottt	6-2	G	Plymouth Christian (MI)	Calvin
Trip Riemersma	6-3	G	Zeeland East (MI) / SVSU transfer	Calvin
Luke Van Essen	6-3	G	Illiana Christian (IN)	Calvin
Zeke Van Essen	6-3	G	Illiana Christian (IN)	Calvin
Quincy Winkle	6-3	G/F	Potters House (MI)	Calvin
Sam Lewis	6-6	F	Millford (MI)	Calvin
Hunter Krohn	6-7	F	Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (MI)	Calvin
Tyson Mann	6-2	G	Grandville (MI)	Hope
Gabe Gamsho	6-2	G	Kalamazoo Hackett (MI)	Hope
Johnny Ryg	6-2	G	Arlington Heights (IL)	Hope
Brett Bultsma	6-4	G	Wayland (MI)	Hope
Carson DeHaan	6-4	G	Calvin Christian (MI)	Hope
Josh Decker	6-4	G	Cuyahoga Falls (OH) / Kalamazoo transfer	Hope
Parker Hovey	6-5	PG	Hart (MI)	Hope
Simon Neuhaus	6-5	G/F	East Grand Rapids (MI)	Hope
Peyton Ter Meer	6-2	G	Corunna (MI)	Kalamazoo
Connor Kouki	6-7	F	Macomb L'Anse Creuse North (MI)	Kalamazoo
Trey Kolakovich	5-11	G	Crosswell-Lexington (MI)	Olivet
Nate Richardson	6-0	G	Grand Blanc (MI)	Olivet
Jordan Bellamy	6-3	G	Marengo (OH) / UM Dearborn transfer	Olivet
Kayden Neiderquill	6-3	G	Swan Valley (MI)	Olivet
Brayden Wine	6-4	F	Olivet (MI)	Olivet
Charlie Deutsch	6-5	G/F	Rockford (MI)	Olivet
Donte Work	6-8	F	Coldwater (MI)	Olivet
Justin Wypasek	5-10	G	Strongsville (OH)	Trine
Nolan Bales	6-1	G	Northridge (IN)	Trine
Fred Garland	6-2	G	Oak Park (MI) / Albion transfer	Trine
Colin McBride	6-2	G	Muncie Burris (IN)	Trine
Jayce Cusack	6-4	G	Lake Odessa (MI)	Trine
Eddie Millington	6-4	G/F	Brighton (MI)	Trine
Drew Moore	6-4	G/F	Forest Hills N (MI) / Olivet & GRCC Transfer	Trine
Isaac Richardson	6-5	F	Avon Lake (OH)	Trine
Chase Kuzma	6-6	F	Hanover Central (IN)	Trine

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Kalamazoo has their schdule posted:

https://hornets.kzoo.edu/sports/mbkb/2023-24/schedule

So the aforementioned Bible Tigers of Grace Christian U are still playing at least one MIAA team

[KnightSlappy]

Kalamazoo has their schdule posted:

https://hornets.kzoo.edu/sports/mbkb/2023-24/schedule

So the aforementioned Bible Tigers of Grace Christian U are still playing at least one MIAA team

Not a great schedule for fans of MIAA Pool C hopefuls. They might be underdogs in every one of their D3 non-conference games.

I'd like to see them end their games vs. UAA teams and schedule more lower-tier opponents.

[Gregory Sager]

The impression I have is that Kalamazoo wants to maintain active competitive relationships with what it views as its academic peer institutions (e.g., Chicago, Lake Forest, Case Western Reserve, Oberlin, Kenyon, etc.) by scheduling them as often as possible.

This may be just a load of self-serving hooey, or it may actually be a stated emphasis within the KC athletic department. Looking at Kalamazoo's schedules, there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason in terms of consistently playing those schools across the board in Hornets sports -- which makes sense, given the vastly different scheduling parameters from one sport to the next. If anything, there might be a marginally higher propensity for the Hornets to play UAA, NCAC, and MWC opponents than other MIAA schools do in various sports, but I'd emphasize the "marginally" in that assessment.

At any rate, all I know is what I've been told by a contact involved with Kalamazoo athletics ... and I should add that this conversation took place several years ago (pre-Covid).

[WUPHF]

The impression I have is that Kalamazoo wants to maintain active competitive relationships with what it views as its academic peer institutions (e.g., Chicago, Lake Forest, Case Western Reserve, Oberlin, Kenyon, etc.) by scheduling them as often as possible.

My anecdotal, non-scientific and limited understanding of the Division III student-athlete, based on one institution, is that they do enjoy playing schools that they might have attended if circumstances were different.

I am sure there are some interesting back-stories on how the schedule sausage is made.

Everything from coaching relationships from a prior life to close to home for more than one student athlete to strong regional rival to found at d3boards.com.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Kalamazoo has their schdule posted:

https://hornets.kzoo.edu/sports/mbkb/2023-24/schedule

So the aforementioned Bible Tigers of Grace Christian U are still playing at least one MIAA team

Not a great schedule for fans of MIAA Pool C hopefuls. They might be underdogs in every one of their D3 non-conference games.

I'd like to see them end their games vs. UAA teams and schedule more lower-tier opponents.

Quick look at this schedule (non-con) compared to the 22-23 season:

Team	Known Games	PY W/L	PY NCAA	Avg PY Massey	Massey Top 50	Massey Top 100
22-23	11	0.473	2	168	2	4
23-24	11	0.467	1	179	1	3

[Dark Knight]

Somehow I missed this when it first appeared last month: an interview with Calvin freshman Owen Varnado.

He sounds like a great kid.

https://calvinknights.com/news/2023/4/13/mens-basketball-a-visit-with-calvins-owen-varnado-a-d3week-feature.aspx

[sac]

Playing 7th or 8th place schedule won't make you a 4th, 5th or 6th place team though.

[goodknight]

Another Calvin commit: Austin Buckley, 6-2 guard from Byron Center (MI) High School.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yxDAu-aTA0

[TUAngola]

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

Congratulations TUSB!  First team championship in Trine's NCAA D3 history.  Had to do it the hard way, loses first game in the double elimination tournament, then win 4 straight elimination games to get to the final best of 3 series against #1 ranked Salisbury.  The Thunder lose the first game yesterday so needed to win 2 games today and did just that, 6-2 and 1-0.

Awesome for both the school and MIAA.  Way to go girls!!!

[HOPEful]

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

That's awesome. Way to go Trine Softball!

[TUAngola]

Trine's 2023-2024 MBB schedule is out:

https://trinethunder.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/schedule

11 game non-conference schedule, 6 home games and 5 away.  It will be very challenging lineup which includes games against Berry, Elmhurst, UW Platteville, Heidelberg, UW Stevens Point, Ohio Wesleyan, Baldwin Wallace, and 4 against the HCAC including what will be a very good Anderson team who gave a scare to Mount Union in the NCAA tournament.

Very strange MIAA schedule which sees the Thunder play 6 of their first 8 games on the road, then finish with 5 of 6 at home.  Both the Adrian and Hope series have short turnarounds, 10 days between games with the Bulldogs and 11 days between games with the Flying Dutch.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Trine's 2023-2024 MBB schedule is out:

https://trinethunder.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/schedule

11 game non-conference schedule, 6 home games and 5 away.  It will be very challenging lineup which includes games against Berry, Elmhurst, UW Platteville, Heidelberg, UW Stevens Point, Ohio Wesleyan, Baldwin Wallace, and 4 against the HCAC including what will be a very good Anderson team who gave a scare to Mount Union in the NCAA tournament.

Very strange MIAA schedule which sees the Thunder play 6 of their first 8 games on the road, then finish with 5 of 6 at home.  Both the Adrian and Hope series have short turnarounds, 10 days between games with the Bulldogs and 11 days between games with the Flying Dutchmen.

I really don't like the way the schduling has been working out since we went away from a "balanced" schedule (play each of the other 7 teams once, then play them again in the same order for the 2nd time, swapping Home/Away).  Does nyone know the lpogic behind why this chnage was made.  I've always assumed it was somehow related to setting up mor M/W double headers, but would like to know for sure.

So between Jan 17 - 31 there are 5 games for each team.  Hope will play Trine twice and Calvin twice in that 5 game stretch.  REALLY??

FYI - Fixed the last word of your post for you 

[sac]

Trine's 2023-2024 MBB schedule is out:

https://trinethunder.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/schedule

11 game non-conference schedule, 6 home games and 5 away.  It will be very challenging lineup which includes games against Berry, Elmhurst, UW Platteville, Heidelberg, UW Stevens Point, Ohio Wesleyan, Baldwin Wallace, and 4 against the HCAC including what will be a very good Anderson team who gave a scare to Mount Union in the NCAA tournament.

Very strange MIAA schedule which sees the Thunder play 6 of their first 8 games on the road, then finish with 5 of 6 at home.  Both the Adrian and Hope series have short turnarounds, 10 days between games with the Bulldogs and 11 days between games with the Flying Dutchmen.

I really don't like the way the schduling has been working out since we went away from a "balanced" schedule (play each of the other 7 teams once, then play them again in the same order for the 2nd time, swapping Home/Away).  Does nyone know the lpogic behind why this chnage was made.  I've always assumed it was somehow related to setting up mor M/W double headers, but would like to know for sure.

So between Jan 17 - 31 there are 5 games for each team.  Hope will play Trine twice and Calvin twice in that 5 game stretch.  REALLY??

FYI - Fixed the last word of your post for you 

As I recall from a years old conversation its trying to intertwine the 9 team womens schedule with the 8 team mens schedule in an "equitable" way.  Doing it the old way meant some schools game day support staff rarely if ever had days off during the season (ie women home/men away or vice versa).   So they've tried to pair up more mens/womens double-headers even if its different opponents.  This allows for some support staffs to have a break from basketball on some game days.  Remember they're also busy with swimming and diving most of the Winter and Spring sports are increasingly creeping into February.  It can get hectic for them.

There's also the issue of start times, old way the womens games always tipped first, followed by men.  New way they try to even that out.  So you get 5:30 mens game tips on a Wed afternoon because you scheduled an unnecessary double-header.  Women had the same issue and they certainly don't deserve the 5:30pm tips on Wed afternoons either. 


They have been, imo, making something incredibly more difficult and complex than it needs to be.