MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HopeConvert]

A possible debate over "strategory." My recollection was that when DVS missed that second free throw there was about 11 seconds left in the game, but according to today's Press there was 19.4 seconds. I would think, with that much time left, Calvin could have gone for two instead of three, fouled Hope and hope they miss one of the free throws, and then they would still have a good ten seconds to go for two to get the game into OT. Keep in mind that at last year's game Immink was guarding against the penetration from Veldhouse that would have sent the game into OT. When Veldhouse drove hard to the hoop, all he had to do was pull-up and he had Immink going the other direction. "Easy" three. With a two-point lead Hope's defense would have had to play differently than it did (the old "Anyone-but-Veldhouse" defense). Surely they could have gotten Meckes or Snoeyink loose under the hoop. I'm not saying Calvin played it wrong, but it seemed to me even at the time they were too quick to dismiss the layup/foul option.

FDF: I hadn't realized VanderHeide's numbers were that good. I'm surprised, frankly, and my judgment was based purely on my percetions. He didn't look sharp   to me yesterday, but obviously played better than I thought. Thanks for the correction.

[realist]

Just as most of us expected another great rivalry game.  Calvin played their best game of the season both O and D.  Yes, they missed opportunities, but Hope wasn't about to "give" Calvin anything.  I thought the coaching was excellent from both GVW, and KVS.  Calvin played 9 guys, and Hope 10 or 11.  I agree with an earlier poster that this game was good for both teams.  Hope to know they can maintain a lead at the end, and close the deal, and for Calvin to know if they do what they are capable of doing they can play with the best teams.   Feb. is going to be really interesting.  Nice to see a Calvin team being the first one to win a b-ball game at the De Vos.  

[Dark Knight]

Just as most of us expected another great rivalry game.  Calvin played their best game of the season both O and D...  I agree with an earlier poster that this game was good for both teams. 

I haven't seen all the knights' games, but it almost seemed as if things 'clicked' yesterday. The knights suddenly showed the ability to execute the helpside defense well enough to keep a top team in check. And Hope's current team is a difficult one for the helpside defense because they move the ball around well and shoot three-pointers well.

I'd guess KVS has been spending lots of time on the defense. Maybe he'll have more time to work on the offense now. I still think the knights have lots of potential. They've got a real inside scoring threat and some excellent three-point shooters. If they can get the ball moving in and out more effectively, they're going to be tough on both sides of the court.

SAC mentioned it earlier, but this Calvin team is reminiscent of last year's. That team was also young and had a difficult first half of the year. This one seems to have had farther to come, but they may also have farther they can go.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

FDF: I hadn't realized VanderHeide's numbers were that good. I'm surprised, frankly, and my judgment was based purely on my percetions. He didn't look sharp   to me yesterday, but obviously played better than I thought. Thanks for the correction.

You know, that's the thing about Marcus.  He tends to have "quiet" games - with stats lke yesterday.  He is one of the reasons that we always keep score (including rebounds) while we watch.

[AlwaysHope]

I know other people have commented on these observations, but I though I would get my 2 cents in.

The key timeframe in the game had to be when Calvin went up, 41-37 at the 15:19 mark.  At 14:58 Van Solkema makes a three, then has his steal followed by a layup and two free throws (intentional foul) at 14:28, or a total of 7 points in exactly 30 seconds.  Score: 44 - 41, Hope.  13 seconds later his three point attempt goes in and out, or else he gets 10 points in 43 seconds!

Calvin never again gets the lead, although they did tie it up once (on their next possesion) when Veltema makes a three for a 44 -44 score. The game was far from over with that much time, but  those 30 seconds seemed to have a substantial impact on the final result.

As far as the intentional call on Veltema, it sure looked like the correct call.  Last night on Channel 8 the clip showed Veltema's left arm around KVS's stomach as he is going up for the layup.  No attempt to get to the ball. 

Several people have commented on Brett Jager's improved play.  Last year he did not play much, behind Immink and DVS (second semester), and when he did he played very tentative, like he was afraid to make a mistake.  This year he plays with great confidence.  Consider these YTD stats for his performance as a point guard, vs. two better known players and team stats:

                    Jager      DVS      Hope Team       Caleb    Calvin Team

Assists            36         31           204                 35          171
Turnovers       16         29           205                 35          210

Jager did this in a total of 197 minutes, vs. DVS (332) and Caleb (370)!  Any coach would be happy to get these stats from his point guard.

A better than two to one ratio of Assists to Turnovers for Jager.  No one else on either team is close.  A completely unselfish player who is very team oriented.  Notice that he is always the first to greet his teammates from the bench when a timeout is called.

Also note the 39 negative differential for Calvin's assists vs. turnovers.  The main culprits are Mantel (12) and Zoerhof (9).  Hope's worst offender is Partridge, with 6.

[pointlem]

Several people have commented on Brett Jager's improved play. 

                    Jager     

Assists            36         
Turnovers       16         

Jager did this in a total of 197 minutes, vs. DVS (332)

Agree, AlwaysHope . . . Brett is a credible nominee for most improved player award (after last season's 13 assists and 18 turnovers in 112 minutes). 

Regarding starters' assists, bear in mind that this year's starting post players don't shoot and score on post-up plays as often as did Andy Phillips and Eric Voison, and thus don't create as many assists for their starting teammates.  The upside is that the guards are scoring more unassisted baskets, with 43% 3-point shooting (vs. 36% last year).

[Mr. Ypsi]

My family and I will be at the Hope @ Adrian showdown on Wednesday.  I've already been assured that sac, fdf, and civic will be there (and I assume bulldogalum) - other posters?

I'm assuming that a midweek game will not require advance tickets or early arrival - safe assumption?

I got my family to join me by promising dinner before the game at El Chapulin ('The Grasshopper' for you gringos), their favorite Mexican place.  It's downtown (118 S. Winter St.) - we should arrive around 5:30 or so if anyone wishes to join us.

I'm pretty sure I'll recognize sac and fdf (and vice versa, I hope) from the MIAA-CCIW showdown in Wheaton two years ago, but just in case (and for the sake of others) I'll be wearing a VERY purple jacket with yellow trim (Ypsi Hi, though no lettering)

[gohope]

Most of the posters have already hit many of the highlights from the game on Saturday, but here are some Fun Things From The Fieldhouse:

*  When they did the introductions I had to glance at my program (which costs at Calvin, but I digress) because I could swear that #42 Meckes has been there for at least 7 years.     Well... it seems that way!  

*  I think I counted 4 - that's airballs for Veldhouse - ouch! (but Yeah for those of us who wear the blue and orange!)

*  Pivital moment - VanSolkema's attempt for a lay-up at 14:28 in the 2nd half with the stripes making the "X" motion after the play.  Being in row Quadruple G, (Okay, it was just double G) I didn't see the complete play, but the replays on the local TV sports broadcasts truly show it was intentional.

*  Props to Calvins band for being nice hosts to the Hope Cheerleading squad.

*  The little kid with the "C" flag.  Okay, last year it was cute. The first time this year it was cute,  but when he did it over and over, I wondered if he was related to the AARP guy who helps lead the Calvin student section get "fired" up before the game?  Then the little toddler fell, and I was waiting for the Dew Crew to begin chanting, "Back to Basics!"

*  And you know that life is good after a Hope/Calvin game when you go to church the next day and the pastor is preaching, and he talks about how God is good, and he gives the example of Hope winning!

*  Anyone who was at a satellite event - was the sound on your TV really fuzzy or was it just at the site that my brother was at?  He also wanted to have me share with all of you the fact that #52 from Calvin slammed the basketball on a play, because they showed that clip over, and over, and over, and over....  He was going to take the Calvin balloons from the event and bring them over to my house (a sad attempt at being cute), but lucky for him, he was wise and took the winning ones, which was just a beautiful site to come home to after a WHOLE day of basketball!

[gohope]

My family and I will be at the Hope @ Adrian showdown on Wednesday.  I've already been assured that sac, fdf, and civic will be there (and I assume bulldogalum) - other posters?

I HOPE to be there - unless some unforseeable work crisis!

[gohope]

Sorry; my magic decoder ring has never worked very well in this room. 

David -

You don't need a ring, just take two bites of banket, with a couple of slurps of black coffee, click your wooden shoes three times (good reformed theology) and say outloud, "There's no place like Hope, There's no place like Hope, There's no place like Hope!   

[sac]

Come on gohope, no mention of the highlight of your day sitting with me at the women's game laughing at the officiating.

...........and before anyone dogs my karma it was equally pathetic both ways, its just brutal to watch, the ladies deserve alot better.

*  The little kid with the "C" flag.  Okay, last year it was cute. The first time this year it was cute,  but when he did it over and over, I wondered if he was related to the AARP guy who helps lead the Calvin student section get "fired" up before the game?  Then the little toddler fell, and I was waiting for the Dew Crew to begin chanting, "Back to Basics!"

Yeah its really sad to see them led down that path at such a young age................ours is still cuter.

I also made it home with my big foam orange hat fully intact.

[GoKnights68]

Most of the posters have already hit many of the highlights from the game on Saturday, but here are some Fun Things From The Fieldhouse:

*  When they did the introductions I had to glance at my program (which costs at Calvin, but I digress) because I could swear that #42 Meckes has been there for at least 7 years.     Well... it seems that way!  

*  I think I counted 4 - that's airballs for Veldhouse - ouch! (but Yeah for those of us who wear the blue and orange!)

*  Pivital moment - VanSolkema's attempt for a lay-up at 14:28 in the 2nd half with the stripes making the "X" motion after the play.  Being in row Quadruple G, (Okay, it was just double G) I didn't see the complete play, but the replays on the local TV sports broadcasts truly show it was intentional.

*  Props to Calvins band for being nice hosts to the Hope Cheerleading squad.

*  The little kid with the "C" flag.  Okay, last year it was cute. The first time this year it was cute,  but when he did it over and over, I wondered if he was related to the AARP guy who helps lead the Calvin student section get "fired" up before the game?  Then the little toddler fell, and I was waiting for the Dew Crew to begin chanting, "Back to Basics!"

*  And you know that life is good after a Hope/Calvin game when you go to church the next day and the pastor is preaching, and he talks about how God is good, and he gives the example of Hope winning!

*  Anyone who was at a satellite event - was the sound on your TV really fuzzy or was it just at the site that my brother was at?  He also wanted to have me share with all of you the fact that #52 from Calvin slammed the basketball on a play, because they showed that clip over, and over, and over, and over....  He was going to take the Calvin balloons from the event and bring them over to my house (a sad attempt at being cute), but lucky for him, he was wise and took the winning ones, which was just a beautiful site to come home to after a WHOLE day of basketball!

God bless your perfect weekend.

[Gregory Sager]

Sorry; my magic decoder ring has never worked very well in this room. 

Ask Pat to send you the Supersweet 5000 model.

[oldknight]

*  Pivital moment - VanSolkema's attempt for a lay-up at 14:28 in the 2nd half with the stripes making the "X" motion after the play.  Being in row Quadruple G, (Okay, it was just double G) I didn't see the complete play, but the replays on the local TV sports broadcasts truly show it was intentional.

It was intentional (as is the case with many fouls) but it wasn't particularly flagrant. After seeing the replay on TV it seemed the ref called it because their wasn't any real attempt to go for the ball.

[almcguirejr]

I thought Hope played good defense to prevent Veldhouse from getting a good look at a 3 point shot to end the game.  I think he would have been better off passing the ball to someone else and moving without the ball to find an opening.  He received the ball with 15-16 seconds left on the clock and dribbled it looking for an opening.  I think in that situation the ball has to move to try and get a scrambling defense out of position.  A good look from Griffin, Veltema, or even Mantel would be fine.  The same situation occurred at the end of the first half, Calvin had the ball for the last shot and Caleb tried to do something by himself and ended up not getting a good look.  Our last 3 halves against Hope we have ended up with nothing.

The ending to this game was very similar to ending of the Hope - Wheaton game with DVS dribbling off precious seconds until they called a time out with 2 seconds left.

Mantel had a very good game.  But,  he only had one field goal attempt the second half.  He made 4 free throws the second half.  I thought a more concerted attemptto make sure Mantel touched the ball could have been made.  I thought Hope's interior defense was suspect.  I didn't think Hope covered the screener very well and there were several opportunities missed when he rolled down the lane. As soon as the guard feels the double team he has to pass the ball to take advantage.

Griffin, Smith, Veldouse, Mantel combined 7-31 from the field.

Richardson and Reimink 0-1 from the field. (an airball)

Calvin's best stretch in this game was the last 5 minutes of the first half.

The flagrant foul was dumb, but I wouldn't call it pivotal.  It ended up costing Calvin 1  point.  I think DVS wanted to be the man and make a "7 point play" and shot an ill advised 3.