MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[hoof02]

Tonight's game between Hope and Albion should be a good one.  I expect Hope to win but it will probably be fairly close.  Playing at Calvin probably favors Albion a bit.  I do expect Hope to take this tournament, though.  Albion is a tough team but the depth of talent.  Calvin is a young team that is undersized.  They do have a great game plan to go against larger teams, though.  Whoever compared them to the Bulls earlier on was right on.  Kalamazoo...no disrespect but someone had to win the K-zoo/Tri-State game.  On the other hand, this is college basketball and anything can happen.  Hope has a solid starting 5 and has depth on the bench.  They have a true point guard now coming in for Immink.  Regardless of how you feel about this kid being a part of the team, he is much needed.  And Scott Richardson (who hurt his ankle in the last game...any updates?) is as good as they get coming off the bench for your big guys.  Hope wants to lock up their bid and they want to get back that game they lost to Calvin.  They can do all of that by winning this tournament.  

P.S.  Player to watch out for next year....Hope's Tim Partirdge.  This kid is going to be a great one.

[hoof02]

meant to say that albion lacks depth of talent...no disrespect...just an observation.  Their toughness gets it done.

[Civic Minded]

I find it so funny that the best teams in the league (and their backers) find it so easy to "play above" the officiating.  For the underdogs in the league, we know we have to have a perfect game from our players, and then a good game from the officials to pull off the upset.

History, I guess, is written by the winners.  Doesn't make it right.

See, I disagree with all this Hope/Calvin lovefest stuff.  I've watched Hope basketball for more years than I care to admit, and too often I've seen "sympathy reffing," where, when Hope starts to pull ahead decisively, suddenly all the calls are going for the underdog.  A nice gesture, perhaps, but wrong.  On a couple of occasions, this sympathy crud has nearly cost Hope the game.  There's no excuse for that kind of (perceived) bias.  Just call the game, and call it as fairly as you can manage in your human-ness.

[realist]

Civic-minded:  As a Calvin fan I have seen exactly the same thing take place.  If one agrees there may be refs. who favor the "big-name" schools than you must also agree it is possible some refs. favor the underdog.  Bias isn't limited to one side or position.
Ho2:  Yes, Hope is definitely going to have it's hands full tonight with Albion.  Expect BC to be a dominant force, but the killer will be outside shooting.
One should also factor in most Calvin fans are really hoping the game goes into about 16 O.T's so whomever survives is fatigued on Sat.   The majority of fans may just be yelling against the blue and orange.  Go figure!

[bulldogalum]

I find it so funny that the best teams in the league (and their backers) find it so easy to "play above" the officiating.  For the underdogs in the league, we know we have to have a perfect game from our players, and then a good game from the officials to pull off the upset.

History, I guess, is written by the winners.  Doesn't make it right.

See, I disagree with all this Hope/Calvin lovefest stuff.  I've watched Hope basketball for more years than I care to admit, and too often I've seen "sympathy reffing," where, when Hope starts to pull ahead decisively, suddenly all the calls are going for the underdog.  A nice gesture, perhaps, but wrong.  On a couple of occasions, this sympathy crud has nearly cost Hope the game.  There's no excuse for that kind of (perceived) bias.  Just call the game, and call it as fairly as you can manage in your human-ness.

In my experience, each crew of referees has their own biases.  Sure, the "Big Three" have benefited from officiating in their favor before, but there are plenty of times where a ref makes mistakes in favor of the underdog as well. 

Here's an example. I notice that Albion gets away with more body contact below the shoulders than any other team in the league.  Why is this so?  Well, Turner coaches big guys better than anyone else in the league, so they know how to get away with contact and make it look less aggressive than it is, but I also thing officials in the league have just gotten used to Albion's physical style of play, and let them get away with more.  it's a combination of factors.

Let's hope the refs tonight call good games and let the players decide the outcome.

[ziggy]

If it goes into 16 OT's, what time with the Calvin/Kzoo game start?

[goodknight]

At about the same time "Monk" is on USA.

[oldknight]

I notice that Albion gets away with more body contact below the shoulders than any other team in the league.  Why is this so?  Well, Turner coaches big guys better than anyone else in the league, so they know how to get away with contact and make it look less aggressive than it is, but I also thing officials in the league have just gotten used to Albion's physical style of play, and let them get away with more. 

That's why it's a crying shame Matt Kingshott is going to Cstone (assuming a prior post has the report correctly). Albion would be perfect for him and he would be perfect for Albion.

[albionbritfan]

Hoof-
I actually feel better about Albion's depth today than I did even two weeks ago.  Both Cash and Mocini have started to step up and play more active roles during their minutes spelling Silas, Bailey and Gibbons.  We did get dinged a little bit with the loss of Ruddick to a knee injury in the Olivet game.

Should be an interesting game.

And, if it goes into 16 OT's, I would give the edge to Hope on depth and I will personally check myself into a clinic afterward.

[bulldogalum]

I was impressed by Cash at the second regular season clash at Kresge.  The guy was money .  Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week.  Tip your waitress, try the pork.

[northb]

If Calvin and Hope win tonight, how can Calvin lose on Saturday?  All the Karma will be in their favor!  A recent trip to the Final 4 (experience!).  A freshman sticking a dagger in the heart of their Arch-Rival just a few weeks ago.  A league championship.  Home Court.  Coach of the decade at the Helm. And (according to this board), they are still the underdog!  How could any call go against them?

[ziggy]

If Calvin and Hope win tonight, how can Calvin lose on Saturday?  All the Karma will be in their favor!  A recent trip to the Final 4 (experience!).  A freshman sticking a dagger in the heart of their Arch-Rival just a few weeks ago.  A league championship.  Home Court.  Coach of the decade at the Helm. And (according to this board), they are still the underdog!  How could any call go against them?

You just can't ever know what the refs are thinking.  I guess we'll know saturday night who they decided to give the game to. 

[bulldogalum]

You just can't ever know what the refs are thinking.  I guess we'll know saturday night who they decided to give the game to. 

It all comes down to who writes the bigger check .

[John Rusnak]

If I pick Calvin can I finally get some positive Karma???

[Flying Dutch Fan]

If I pick Calvin can I finally get some positive Karma???

NO