MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[MIdoubleA]

So Hope's unbeaten, anybody else see that Aquinas upset coming from a mile away this Saturday? 

Let's hope not. Personally, I'd like to see the Dutchmen make a run for it. Albion and Calvin have had their turn for a few years in the national scene, now it's Hope's turn.

I'm not sure whether or not Vanderheide being out is going to make a difference or not. On one hand, he's a starter for a reason and I'll stand by my claim that he's a smart player. On the other hand, Hope's bench is as deep as you can get, so there are good players waiting to replace him.

[Civic Minded]

Well, I survived another road trip to Trinity!   

The game itself wasn't much to talk about...Hope led the entire time (I think), and, as sac mentioned, Trinity only got close when there was a combination of 2nd and 3rd string players on the floor.  GVW seemed to leave them in for an intermitable amount of time, even as the 20 point lead slipped to 10, but no one seemed anxious, and when the starters came back in they returned the lead.  At about the 5 minute mark the rest of the bench got to play, and they maintained a 19 point lead to the end.

Items of note:  Cramer will steal the ball from you, period.     Immink is showing absolutely no signs of last year's knee debacle, period.  Partridge seems to currently have the best control of the ball on a layup, no matter how many defenders are after him.  And Carlson is showing lots of his freshman self.  Still, there was some sloppy play by the Dutchmen tonight.  If they don't work it out, sac's prediction about Saturday's game could be scary.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

sac - you got it right - great defense again.  Trinity must have had 15 or so possesions where they didn't get a shot up until there was less than 8 seconds on the shot clock.  I think it's really tough to see the defense in the stats, but when you have 20 more shots than your opponent (65 -45) it's pretty telling. 

The switching that the Dutchmen are doing on defense is pretty amazing.  And I think Glen has great confindence in his team.  Very little zone D played this year - where it was an often used tool last year. 

I also liked that he played some different players while Trinity was making a run - again showing confidence in his team, and providing some good experience for the bench.

And I loved that the last 5 minutes was the 3rd string playing against the 1st/2nd string of Trininty, and they still held there own - and played the same intense D.

I also liked the agressiveness of Voisin around the basket.  In the first minute he had a shot blocked.  Hope worked the ball right back in which he dunked for the first points of the game - kinda set the tone.

[Dark Knight]

Thoughts on the Calvin-Aquinas game:

• what a difference 10 days and Josh Meckes make! Aquinas scored 86 in the earlier game, and 52 in this one.
• the knights still got out-rebounded by 10, compared to 12 in the first game. But they made up for it with 10 fewer turnovers.
  
• nice to see Veldhouse penetrate and either score or dish to Snoeyink, and 'yink get some inside points. It makes for a much-needed alternative to the 3-ball.
• and now for 24 days off!

[MIdoubleA]

Sac, just out of curiosity, do the results of last nights Calvin vs. Aquinas game change your prediction for saturday or reinforce it?

[midline]

Looking forward to my first in-person look at this year's Hornet squad tonight against Elmurst. First (and only pre-MIAA) home game, coming off a horrid performance on Monday night...K should have plenty of motivation tonight. So should Elmhurst, though, as they will try to avenge a loss from last December. Possible let down game for Elmhurst after upsetting Hanover? We'll see......

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Midline,

That's a tough way to open the season with all those road games.  Hope the Hornets play well at home - and have a nice crowd.  Elmhurst is a very good team, you will do well to keep the game close.  Don't count on a letdown, their win over Hanover was not all that much of an upset.

[iwumichigander]

I doubt you will see a let down tonight in Elmhurst which will be a contender for the CCIW this year.  If anything, you will likely see a a Chris Martin more focused and determined than last year.  And when those MIAA fans watch Chris, here is a young man that for the skill of a surgeon was not going to be on the basketball court this year.  (See http://www.d3hoops.com/news.php?date=2005-09-01 )

Excerpt:  "He was forced to delay his decision to return after learning of an offseason medical condition unrelated to basketball. After experiencing chest pains earlier in the summer, Martin underwent extensive testing and was diagnosed with having an irregular heartbeat. Earlier today, he underwent a successful cardiac ablation at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill., to correct the problem."

He is a tough kid, physical and skilled.  In past year's I have been thankful to get out of the gym with a win over Elmhurst; however, this year, I going to enjoy seeing a young man like Chris Martin overcome personal adversity and get out on the court and play.

He will on a mission this year to help all he can to get that Elmhurst team into the tournament.

[mrswylie]

iwu,
That might help put some things in perspective.  At DeVos there were a couple of moments where Martin was at least "on a mission" and could easily have been considered a cheap shot artist.  Without any other personal exposure to his game, I'll put it in the passionate/frustrated category.

[Civic Minded]

(refering to Chris Martin) - I'll give him passionate and frustrated, but he seriously needs to work on self-control.  The things I saw were out of line in any setting.  He would probably be an even stronger player if he could develop some control over those passions and frustrations, and channel that emotion elsewhere.  Just my 2 cents...

I do appreciate hearing about all he's been through though.  For him to be able to even be on the court is amazing.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Scores from tonight:

Albion 65    Spring Arbor 64
Elmhurst 88    Kalamazoo 78 (2OT)

Albion squeaks by - and midline is the prognosticator of the day - looks like Elmhurst had a letdown game - but pulled it out in the end.

[iwumichigander]

I have said, read and heard the same things you guys are writing.  Martin plays hard, he plays to win.  When he plays within himself is almost unstoppable.

And Civic Minided it is amazing he is out on the court.

However, I don't see him changing at this point in his career.  Unfortunate.  But, as a couple of coaches remind me --- there is a reason why certain players are in D3.

[midline]

Whew.

What a game in Kzoo this evening. Elmhurst did NOT have a let down game, K just hung with them the enitre way and into the 2nd OT. Quick run down....

K used good ball movement in the first half and utilized their quickness against Elmhurst's size advantage. I think K was up by a point or two at the half.....Martin was relatively quiet until the 2nd half and OT's, only scoring approx. 8 in the 1st but finishing with +/- 33. More on him in a bit.

Elmhurst built up a lead of 5-7 a few times in the 2nd, but K would chip it down to a bucket or two. With under a minute left, K looked finished, down 6. Tyler Worst hit a baseline 3, K gets the ball back, down three, and Pat Clancy hit a 3 from the top of the arc with a tic left to go to take it to OT #1.

K took the momentum from Clancy's shot (plus another deep three from him with the shot clock winding down)  through most of the extra frame, but Martin kept coming up big, hitting the big shot, getting to the line. With 10 sec left in OT someone for K (Konwinski?) hits a big jumper to put K up by 2. Martin takes it the length of the floor, puts up a fading jumper in the lane...front iron...tipped up...missed....tipped again by Elmhurst's center and IN at the buzzer. OT #2.

Honestly, K had nothing left after that. Elmhurst wore them down. The Hornets only scored 3 points throughout the 2nd OT, and resorted to fouling with under a minute left to loose by 10.

Tremendous effort by K. Clancy, Konwinski, Worst, Herman (something like 9 points, 7 asst., 6 boards and NO TO's) played very well. One word for Henry McCain: Electric. It is going to be fun to watch this kid for the next 3.5 years.

Martin was clearly the best player on the court and took over at crucial points. He is a very good player, on both ends of the court, and deserves the accalades. One thing: He kinda likes to flop. Alot. Being an All-American, he gets the calls. Still, a great player. I did not see much support from his teamates until the final OT when some other guys hit a couple big threes. Not sure if this is the norm.

Gotta beat Chicago on Saturday. The Hornets do need to go 0-3 this week.

[midline]

I, of course, meant that the Hornets do NOT need to go 0-3 this week.

[Picket Fence]

These poll voters make absolutely no sense.  Calvin goes 3-0, including two D3 wins away from home and they get less votes than the week they go 0-3.  Do these voters even look at the records or are they voting for the name?