MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[KnightSlappy]

Three MIAA double-doubles tonight, the first three of the conference season I believe.  Congrats to Isaac Smith of Alma, Pat Clancy of Kzoo, and Andy Sierminski of Olivet.

[bulldogalum]

Adrian 79
Calvin 75

An excellent win tonight for the Bulldogs, as they continue to build momentum and grow into a very nice team. 

After the Knights got off to a quick start, eventually leading by as much as 9 points (17-8, about 5 minutes into the game), the Bulldogs regrouped and got back into the game in a hurry.  By the end of the first half, some hot shooting and increased defensive intensity gave Adrian a 12 point lead.

The second half brought more of the same, with Calvin making a few short runs, but with Adrian always responding, and keeping the Knights at arm's length. 

This was true, of course, until the final two minutes.  At that point, Calvin really picked up their defensive pace, Adrian, in turn, made some clumsy mistakes, and Veldhouse refused to miss, making some very difficult shots from three point range down the stretch.  As a result, the game got a bit close for comfort, but Adrian made enough of their free throws to eventually ice the game.

While there were a number of players that had nice games for the Bulldogs, my game ball goes to Corey Smith.  Though he's consistently been an offensive spark all season, he really stepped to the fore tonight, pitching in with 19 points (including 5 three pointers, one of which was taken from Ohio, it was so deep), and providing an emotional lift to the team all night long.

Now the Bulldogs are off to Olivet, where dreams have been known to die.  I don't know if any of the Adrian players read this--and I honestly hope they don't--but if they do they'd better realize that the Comets will be ready for them, and they'd better be ready to get slapped in the face around 3 pm this Saturday.

We need not talk about the last time Adrian went to that school undefeated in the conference...

[calvin_grad]

Weird stat from Calvin/Adrain game last night.  Not sure if I've seen this before.  Adrian only had 6 players score, but they all scored in double figures.  Doesn't get much more balanced than that.

[almcguirejr]

13 games into the Calvin season and it seems very few player's know what their role is on this team.  This team's first half defense in the six losses has been particularly poor.  The opposition is shooting a combined 62% in the first half, 3 pt FG% is 57%.  The other team's shooter's have been left more uncovered than Brittany Spears nether regions.  The Baby Knights have been Baby Soft.

I watched the video of last year's Calvin win over Hope tonight.  I forgot how good a game Kyle Snoeyink had that night.  He probably played the best of anyone on the floor the last 7-8 minutes of that game. Snoeyink was the second leading scorer and rebounder returning this year.  This year Snoeyink has attempted 41 shots halfway through the season, 25% of those came in the Wheaton game when he was 5-9.  Last year for the full season 194 shot attempts.  I don't understand the role he is playing on this team.  It seems to me he is being under utilized and could help a team that is really struggling.  He also played with some cajones that this team is sorely lacking at the moment.  KVS's admitted mistake of starting Mantel too early, and has destroyed the confidence of Mantel and Snoeyink.  These were 2 guys you counted on for a significant contribution  this year, so far they are each searching for a spot to fit in.

Tyler Zoerhof has gone from surprise contributor last year, to starter this year, to no minutes last night.

Micah Chappel who played 13 minutes a game as a freshman doesn't see any action anymore.

Snoeyink, Chappel, and Zoerhof combined for 50 minutes of playing time last year on a team that won 20 plus games.  Last night Snoeyink played 8 the other 2 zero on a .500 team that is playing in a much weaker league.

KVS's strength as a coach has been to get each player to fill their role.  This year there might be 2-3 players who appear to know what he wants from them.  Most of the time we have the "deer in the headlights appearance".

On offense, the ball rarely goes inside.  Calvin is content to dribble the ball on the perimeter until one of the guards gets an open look.  Against Tri State there were several times where cutters through the middle are open, but we don't have the passing skill to get them the ball.  Getting the ball to someone within 10 feet of the basket does not seem to be a point of emphasis in this offense.

Maybe I'm overly frustrated this morning, but this team should be better than it's played this year.  

[ziggy]

You make some good points Al.  I think a lot of us underestimated the losses of Trewhella and Draayer because of some promise we saw in younger players and the return of the post player.  A surprisingly successful 2005-2006 season heightened expectations for this season beyond what is probably realistic.  While I still believe Calvin has some great young talent, they are now being thrust into the primary roles that were left by two great veteran players.  Meckes and Bear aren't dominant scorers so Calvin is forced into being an inexperienced jump shooting team; which can be a recipe for disaster.  The season is still pretty young and I look forward to seeing just how much this team can grow.  Honestly, we really should have looked to next year and the year after that for the youngsters to fulfill this team's potential.

[Civic Minded]

Aljr, those are some telling (and shocking) points.  Thanks for sharing them.  This is a wild, weird year in our beloved MIAA.  At this point, I don't think anyone can be too comfortable.

Rivalry aside, I've enjoyed watching Calvin play many other opponents, including in Wis. this season.  I'll be interested to see what they do on Saturday for myself.  I can surely understand how Mantel and Snoeyink must be feeling about now; and Chapel and Zoerhof w/ no minutes?  Wierd.

Here's to whatever weirdness Saturday brings for all of us!

[KnightSlappy]

I think the Knights are hurting from a lack of a veteran scorer.  You could give the ball to Trewhella or Draayer at any point of a game and expect them to score the ball.  Caleb really benefited from those two being on the floor.  The inexperience of the (still) young Calvin team was evident with many turnovers late in the game.

[dothedew]

Wow....that Hope -37 computer prediction was only a point off....where can we put our $ down on the Dutchmen for Saturday?? How about a back room at the Holland Brewery? Someone get back to me on that one.
2007....huh? Another year means another Hope/Calvin game. This year I will be watching it right outside Philadelphia in King of Prussia, PA. I don't suppose any of you reading this will be in the Philly area this weekend??? I talked to the guy running the gamewatch for Hope and he said he's expecting 15 or 20 Calvin fans and 6 for Hope. Perhaps I should tell him that my one voice should count as 9. Just like the last two years in NYC...I look forward to watching the Hope/Calvin game while enjoying an adult beverage or two.
Post a message if any of you are reading this and will be out East this weekend....and GO HOPE!!!

[Stinger]

Calvin scored 75 points. That's more than enough to win the game, knight slappy. They shot 48% from the floor, not great, but solid enough. Letting Adrian shoot 53% from the field, 50%+ from three point range sounds like what doomed them to me. 

[realist]

Great win for Adrian.  I wouldn't throw the towel in just yet on Calvin.  Before it is over I think they may surprise a team or two.  In previous years KVS has had the luxury of having almost a coach on the floor, and this year no one has stepped into that role.  Which comes first, the hot hand or the porous defense?  IF, Calvin can keep it close on Sat. they could give Hope a real test.    At this point I think you have to give kudos to the coaches and the players of the teams beating Calvin for having come in with a good plan.  Plus taking advantage of the Calvin weaknesses.   Think what a team that is capable of battling back in the second half could do if they played that way for the full game.  

[bulldogalum]

Quite right, realist.  I don't think Calvin should be in full-fledged panic mode just yet.  If they could maintain the defensive pressure they exerted toward the end of the game last night, it'll be tough for any team to beat them.

[northb]

IF, Calvin can keep it close on Sat. they could give Hope a real test.      

A truth worthy of John Madden

[gohope]

Observations from the Hope/Albion game:

*  I didn't know that Isiah Thomas still had eligibility left??     And speaking of Isiah, he and many of the Albion players didn't look like they were as conditioned as previous Albion teams.  I looked in the box score and saw that Isiah wanted to come out of the game after playing for less than 4 minutes the first time he was inserted into the game.

*  At 1:48 in the 1st half, those were Marcus Vanderheide's first points - but it sure did feel like he was having a low scoring game whereas his assists, steals, good D, etc, really contributed to the win.  And at the end of the game, he only had 4 points - I guess I was just surprised for the level of play that he was showing that he didn't have more points.

*  Civic Minded and FDF - Pretty posh being able to sit behind the Boz's parents last night!

*  It was GREAT (let me repeat, GREAT!) to have the Dew Crew back last night!  And at 9:49 in the second half, Kudos to the Dew for another one of their "creative" cheers to the opposing team: "You need Crawford (clap, clap.. clap, clap, clap)!"  It was priceless.

*  I still feel that sometimes the second "wave" plays with more intensity, passion and precision.  Though the starters did have a good game. But they often get to a point (when Albion got within 10) and begin to live on their laurels.

*  Stats:  20 assists, 9 players in double digits (playing time) and all players scored with the exception of Greenan (not bad, 15/16!)

*  With the 3's - they almost ran out of Mountain Dew Bottles!

[KnightSlappy]

Wow....that Hope -37 computer prediction was only a point off....where can we put our $ down on the Dutchmen for Saturday?? How about a back room at the Holland Brewery? Someone get back to me on that one.

Yes, THE Computer had a pretty good day.  Massey got two games wrong, but THE Computer predicted a 37 point Hope win (1 point off) and an Alma win.  Maybe THE Computer should be a BCS ranking...

Stinger, you bring up very good points.  The defense for Calvin is still VERY suspect, but it seemed to me that the Knights could never score the one basket that would put them back in the game for real down the stretch.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Actually, Isiah Thomas has TWO years of eligibility left, though he may find it tough to regain his amateur standing with the NCAA!