MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[KnightSlappy]

Has MIAA ever gotten three teams into the tournament, or will this be the first time?

[pointlem]

--MIAA should rethink their Friday pricing.

Great summary, Sac . . . and might the MIAA also want to consider having semis on top-seeded teams' home floors? Why not, for example, have Hope play last Friday at Calvin--before fans (nice for both players and fans) and giving more revenue, rather than playing before a near-empty house, then driving home, and then back to Angola?

Hope slept in Holland Friday night?

Yes, per Coach Davelaar on pre-game radio interview.

Consider also: Adrian almost beat Trine, which would have had Hope and Adrian playing before a mostly empty gym (though perhaps there's some reason, such as staffing, to specify the championship game site well in advance)?

And while I'm offering unsolicited advice to the MIAA, might it nudge St. Mary's to join an Indiana conference, enabling a return to a single home game (either men's or women's) each Wednesday and Saturday, with any jv game preceding (e.g., when Calvin women play Albion at home, the Calvin men play at Albion). That way a) no long 4-hour basketball Wednesday evenings followed by no home games the next date, b) always two home games (and revenues) a week, and c) jv teams can travel with and play adjacent to their varsity teams. Also, the women's BB teams could return to starting their league seasons in January, coinciding with men's schedule.

[sac]

Has MIAA ever gotten three teams into the tournament, or will this be the first time?

First time.

Closest I think was 2006   Hope, Calvin and a 20-6 Albion team (Brandon Crawford) that probably should have gotten in.  Pre-current system.

[Dutchfan]

What time are the selection shows tomorrow?

[KnightSlappy]

What time are the selection shows tomorrow?

MBB show is at 1pm
https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-02-19/2024-diii-mens-basketball-championship-how-watch-selection-show-bracket

[Grutte Dirk]

Has MIAA ever gotten three teams into the tournament, or will this be the first time?

A big Calvin fan told me Trine and Hope were final four quality teams-you'd think the MIAA would get three in.

[HOPEful]

A big Calvin fan told me Trine and Hope were final four quality teams-you you'd think the MIAA would get three in.

They will. But I think a more accurate statement is that all three have shown at times this year that they're capable of playing with/beating anyone. They're also all very capable of getting bounced on a cold shooting night. I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the three make the final four. I also wouldn't be surprised to see them not survive the first weekend.

[sac]

Anyone is capable of a deep run with the right draw.

I have about 23 years of MIAA efficiency data and all 3 teams would have a difficult time cracking our top 10 though.  But all 3 teams rate higher than Alma's quarterfinal team so anything can happen.

[calvin_grad]

A big Calvin fan told me Trine and Hope were final four quality teams-you you'd think the MIAA would get three in.

They will. But I think a more accurate statement is that all three have shown at times this year that they're capable of playing with/beating anyone. They're also all very capable of getting bounced on a cold shooting night. I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the three make the final four. I also wouldn't be surprised to see them not survive the first weekend.

It pains me to say it, but I don't think Calvin shoots consistently well enough from 3 or the free throw line to make a deep run.  Guard play is typically paramount in tournament games, and I don't think Calvin matches up as well at this position as some other teams.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

So Hope gets Anderson in the first round.  An interesting matchup on the coaching side.  Anderson's 2nd year coach, Carter Collins, was a student assistant coach at Hope under Greg Mitchell for three years, ending in 2017.

[sac]

Lots of opponent compares Manchester, North Central, Olivet, Hanover and the most interesting being Anderson losing 76-79 to Trine. 

The Ravens can score a lot of points.

[pointlem]

Looks like a great draw for Trine, including home court . . . and a tough draw for Calvin--facing a resurgent Elmhurst for the right to challenge a championship-contender on its home floor.

If Hope and Trine were fortunate to win next weekend, they could potentially have a rematch at Trine the following Saturday night. Neither could face Calvin before a semi-final game.

[HOPEful]

Looks like a great draw for Trine, including home court . . . and a tough draw for Calvin--facing a resurgent Elmhurst for the right to challenge a championship-contender on its home floor.

At first glance, it sure feels like Hope got a slightly better draw than Calvin (Anderson and CWRU will both still be tough) Indicative that they finished ahead of Calvin in the final regional rankings?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Committees have traditionally found little ways to reward conference champions, especially those that aren't entirely out of left field.

[TUAngola]

Trine is hosting a pod this weekend: Friday it will be Wabash vs Coe in the first game and Fontbonne vs Trine in the second game.  Trine will have to get their half court offense running more smoothly than it has in the last few games.  We are especially struggling with our 3 point shooting.  We're at our best creating havoc on defense, getting steals and finishing on the break.  I don't know anything about Fontbonne or Coe, but Wabash I've watched a few times this year.  They were struggling in December and early January but have really come on strong to win their AQ.  They rely on their starting 5 a lot, just like Trine, but have some nice pieces coming off the bench, including a 7'2 D1 transfer from Northern Kentucky who creates problems inside on defense.

I find it interesting that both Hope and Calvin have first round matchups against Anderson and Elmhurst respectively, Trine has played both this year.  Trine won down at Anderson in December, had to come from behind in the final minutes (Trine was without an injured Megnanglo).  Hope and Anderson have very similar makeups.  Both can score in bunches, both have centers who like to step out and shoot the 3.  Anderson is primarily a zone defensive team, so Hope will need to hit a good percentage in the game, because Anderson is offensively very balanced, they will want a high scoring game.

I think Calvin got a really nasty first round matchup, it will probably be one of the best round 1 games on Friday.  Elmhurst beat Trine at their place in December, but we were without Megnanglo in that game as well.  You can't key on anyone in particular with the Bluejays, their starting 5 are extremely talented.  Calvin will have to shoot well to win and have a good game from Overway.  Elmhurst isn't extremely tall, I think Zapinski at center is 6'6, but he is built like a tight end.  Ittounas can shoot it, throw in D1 transfer Pemberton from Boston College, and also Ocean Johnson who has a similar style game to Egekeze.  Game should be a great one!