MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[oldknight]

Of course, it could be that I'm just getting too old to understand what the kids these days are saying .

A law school education has a way of doing that to people.

[oldknight]

The sign said "Cramer's a Flamer."  Cramer himself took it well, and did what good players are taught to do--ignore the fans and prove what you've got to prove on the court.

Well stated and, I must confess, I'm not surprised Cramer took it well. From all I've seen of Cramer's play and on-court demeanor he really is unflappable when it comes to the potential distractions that comes with the sport. Simply put he is a "player" who goes about his business. He doesn't try to show up opponents or get into their heads like others I see on the court, he just executes with the precision of a professional assassin.

[oldknight]

I could be completely wrong, considering I also thought Marcus VanderHeide played the worst game I have ever seen from him last saturday.  Obviously the box scored painted a different picture of his performance.

VanderHeide looked rattled last saturday.  His numbers came out o.k. but he seemed like a 'deer in headlights' at times.  Of course, I also think Derek Griffin looked this way for the entire first half.

Maybe it would have helped if Marcus had spent less time trying to play mind games with former teammates and more time executing on the court.

[AndersDY]

Everyone was dancing around writing the word 'flamer' on here? I'm so disappointed. First of all I thought we were missing out on some far more risque jab, and I'm secondly disappointed in the creativity level. A sixth grader with the team's roster could have said "heh, Cramer, rhyme's with flamer..." It's certainly no "your mother smells of elderberries!"

On the topic of Cramer, Ziggy says below that Cramer is taking his game to new heights this year, but I think this talent level has been evident through Cramer's entire tenure. He was making the jaw-dropper shots last year too. I did wonder coming into this year though if Cramer was thriving as a second or third option and scoring the sneaky points, while he may not have that success as the senior leader who is expected to always score and might be the focus of the defense. Clearly, he can do everything he has been doing throughout his career without the element  of surprise. (Now his weaponry is fear, not surprise - ha, twice in one post  )

[ziggy]

On the topic of Cramer, Ziggy says below that Cramer is taking his game to new heights this year, but I think this talent level has been evident through Cramer's entire tenure. He was making the jaw-dropper shots last year too. I did wonder coming into this year though if Cramer was thriving as a second or third option and scoring the sneaky points, while he may not have that success as the senior leader who is expected to always score and might be the focus of the defense. Clearly, he can do everything he has been doing throughout his career without the element  of surprise. (Now his weaponry is fear, not surprise - ha, twice in one post  )

I mean to point out that last saturday he made a point to score in situations where they really needed a score.  He took it to the rack and made the kind of plays that he's known for.  Thats the sort of growth that I see.  It isn't just the highlight moves anymore, he was able to make the tough shots when it really mattered.

[HopeConvert]

Some thoughts on recent posts (from "the traitor"):

I feel a little vindicated that others also thought Marcus had a poor game on Saturday. His numbers may have been ok, but he didn't seem to me to be in control of his game. His misses were bad misses, and he struggled handling the ball. Obviously I am not a "numbers" person, because now I have been properly chastened on the Partridge front as well. He seems to me to shoot better from the top than the side also. Get him off to the left side in particular and I think he rarely drains from there.

I think last year's team probably had more talent, but this team does seem to me to know how to close a game in a way last year's team didn't. Part of that is Cramer taking over at crunch time - they didn't really have anyone do that last year. Part of that is guts: I still can't figure out how Voison finished a game with 0 points and 0 rebounds (I was watching it on the internet, but the point holds). Part of it is DVS taking over as point and bringing a level of toughness I think we missed last year. I do think that in any game I have seen this year DVS and Cramer have been the best two players on the floor. Saturday the difference was obvious: Cramer especuially, but also DVS, took over at the end of the game. This is good for Hope because Cramer really is unflappable: so smooth and controlled. I think he is a beautiful player to watch (and I trust that doesn't necessarily make me a "flamer"), and I think as the senior he has decided to be the leader also. It's good for a team when your best player also becomes your leader.

[realist]

HC:  Don't look now, but you are  preaching to the chior

[AndersDY]

This is good for Hope because Cramer really is unflappable: so smooth and controlled. I think he is a beautiful player to watch (and I trust that doesn't necessarily make me a "flamer"), and I think as the senior he has decided to be the leader also. It's good for a team when your best player also becomes your leader.

I will back up your masculinity, Convert (though maybe that's a new cheering section name? Cramer's Flamers?). I have always described Cramer as the smoothest player I've gotten to see at Hope. He seems to have complete body control at all times and moves so efficiently and fluidly. I've never seen someone who is as adept at going from a full speed dribble drive to a jump shot which is shot as calmly as if he had a standing start (and we know how high he jumps for that shot of course). The one player I think back to compare him to at Hope is Holstege, though USA doesn't run the point of course. Though perhaps part of that comparison in my mind has to do with the fact that I don't think I've ever seen either player speak a word.

Ziggy, I see your distinction now, and you're right. This year he is showcasing the same level of talent and scoring prowess, but doing it when it is required he take over, not just when that scoring is available.

[Civic Minded]

I could be completely wrong, considering I also thought Marcus VanderHeide played the worst game I have ever seen from him last saturday.  Obviously the box scored painted a different picture of his performance.

VanderHeide looked rattled last saturday.  His numbers came out o.k. but he seemed like a 'deer in headlights' at times.  Of course, I also think Derek Griffin looked this way for the entire first half.

Oh my stars.  You guys are just dreaming up crap to make yourselves feel better.  Suddenly you're experts on Hope players?  Nah.  Sorry, but you've got this one wrong.  We've seen Marcus play much worse!   (Kidding, Marcus, just kidding...)

[realist]

Anders:  If you are saying Cramer is the "go to guy' it's hard to disagree.  I also see DVS stepping into that role.  Most importantly the other Hope players know, and accept that reality.   A good question is why hasn't he been the "go to guy" since his first day in a Hope uniform?

[KnightSlappy]

On Saturday Marcus had a game high in turnovers, 0-3 from three point range, and only 50% FT.  This is not the usual performance for Marcus.

[Civic Minded]

On Saturday Marcus had a game high in turnovers, 0-3 from three point range, and only 50% FT.  This is not the usual performance for Marcus.

And I would say that it wasn't a usual performance day for many of Hope's players (Reimink, Partridge, etc, etc.).  I guess my question is why all the focus on one?

[Flying Dutch Fan]

On Saturday Marcus had a game high in turnovers, 0-3 from three point range, and only 50% FT.  This is not the usual performance for Marcus.

It was also a game in which he out rebounded every other person on the floor, had 5 assists (that's a 1.25 assist to turnover ratio), and a steal.  

Has he played better games, sure.    

Did he help Hope get a good start, you bet (2 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist in the first 4:30).

Did he help his team do what it needed to do to win a big game, yes.

So what does this all prove - nothing.  We're still left with opinions that differ.  My point is that we can't judge a players impact on a game solely on the stats.  In my opinion, Marcus was the most agressive, assertive player at the outset.  

[sac]

Before we go handing out trophies to the Dutchmen this week, unlike before last Saturday when they were beatable.  

There is a HUGE game Saturday with Tri-State and Adrian.......an Adrian win and the Dawgs stay in the hunt and can hope for a Hope loss prior to the next meeting.  A Tri-State win however sets up a game next Wednesday in Holland where Hope can basically put a big KO on MIAA contenders and have a full 2 game lead going into the 2nd half and a hugely favorable schedule with Calvin and Adrian at home.  So no offense to Adrian but I'm going to have to pull for Tri-State.

While I'm excited by what I've seen from in the way of on court play, I'm rational enough to realize that the collective win percentage to this point of Hope's MIAA opponents outside the MIAA is .250 or 12-36...........thats disgusting, no offense to anyone but come on!  An MIAA Championship certinly looks within reach, but beyond that I have no idea.

[sac]

Around this time of year I like to break out the old +/-.......to review you geat a plus for a road win, a minus for a home loss.  It will tell you how far or behind a team is based on everyone holding serve at home.

Hope +3
Adrian +1
Calvin +1
Tri-State +1
Albion 0
Alma -1
Olivet -2
Kalamazoo -3

With its 3 road wins and 2 big ones Hope has an effective 2 game lead on everyone,  the TSU/Adrian game is huge for TSU as it would put them a true 1 game back , but a loss for Adrian would put them 3 back and pretty much and gaurntee they'd need help to win the MIAA. 


Last season Hope rolled through a number of MIAA games in similar fashion, I believe I made the comment last year they had led every MIAA opponent by 20 at least once.  The same has held true this year, except for the 2nd Calvin game but Hope did lead by 25 in Nov.  Takeing out Hope's 2 conference losses last year the Dutchmen won by an average of 19 points in their 12 wins.  So far this year its 27.8 points.  whoah!

I thought last year Hope was a stellar defensive team and it took just as stellar a defensive team to knock them out of the NCAA's.  But offensively I just never felt Hope got it going last year, they seemed to score inspite of themselves (if thats possible ).  Yet at this point in the season Hope is a full point better per game on defense and about equal on percentage allowed.  The difference is clearly on the offense where they are 9 points better per game and 4 percentage points better shooting.  But maybe we need to start recognizing Hope's defensive efforts.

The real difference is 3 point shooting where Hope has improved a full 7 percentage points and are makeing 10 per game a 4 per game improvement.