MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[realist]

If Hope suffers only 1 more loss, and that occurs in the MIAA tourney it seems to me they are almost a lock for pool C.  The OAC, and NCAC are doing a good job beating each other up this year.  Even with the MIAA down this year a Hope team at 23-3 has to be attrractive.
Sac:  Yes on both Knoester, and Stevens.  I know "agent Orange" was on the 92 title team, but not sure after that.  Van Laare (long arms, big hands, and physical) had several epic battles with Bosma.

[HopeConvert]

Carthage is not an in-region game for Hope.

Al---my only  point was really that I think Hope should be getting more credit for their defense, I'm well aware of where this years sched ranks with last year.  Weaker schedule or not you have to be iimpressed with a 7% improvement in 3 point shooting and 4 more per game.--that is all.


Hopeconvert---your karma will fare better if you change your handle to something like Calvinconvert, or Calvinisawesome or IloveCalvin

Alas, I had my Damascus-road experience, and it turned out to lead to Holland. I simply responded to the call. But, hey, I obviously have warm regard for Calvin. I liked my years there. I'm not an anti-Calvinite. Some of my best friends are Calvinites! (Making the sociological distinction rather than the theological one.)

Reading through these tournament possibilities, I have to say I had vision of the BCS flashing through my head.

sac - keep up those astute observations. I've accepted the road to Damascus may be frought with persecution 

[HopeConvert]

If Hope suffers only 1 more loss, and that occurs in the MIAA tourney it seems to me they are almost a lock for pool C.  The OAC, and NCAC are doing a good job beating each other up this year.  Even with the MIAA down this year a Hope team at 23-3 has to be attrractive.

I would think so, but those conferences had much stronger out-of-conference records. They would look like the SEC in football (ugh) then: good teams beating up on each other and then crushing lesser conferences in bowl games.

[sac]

Well this is a pretty sad day in my life, as of later today I will no longer be a resident of Holland, Michigan.  This is not a goodbye as much as its a explination of why I won't be posting as much.

I'm moveing 2 hours away and consequently will miss many Hope games (I think, but doubtfull, I really don't know).  The ol' Sac supercomputer is getting mothballed for awhile and its where I keep alot of my little MIAA/Hope nuggets of info.  So I'll be a man without my encyclopedia so to speak.

I have every intention of seeing as many away games as possible (Olivet's a stone's throw away and Albion's around the corner), ironicly the longest drive for me is now to Hope.  I'll definately try to find a way to make the MIAA tournament as its my favorite hoops weekend of the year.

I've really enjoyed sort of being the Hope rep on this board, its a HUGE responsibility, I never intended it to be that way but it just sort of happened.   I encourage our lurkers to speak out and add their voice, and more importantly I encourage our regulars to let them.  One thing that has been noticed by more than a couple Hall of Famers is that we tend to be a little clique and are quick to point out others errors or quick to disagree.  We're working on it.

So I'm off to start over, hopefully I'll meet more of you along the way and I'll be seeing you in an MIAA gym...........near me.

[bulldogalum]

If Hope's only loss for the rest of the season is in the conference tournament, I would be shocked if they didn't get in.  While it's true that the MIAA is down this year, Hope has a reputation as a strong basketball program, and that can only help them.

[oldknight]

Hopeconvert---your karma will fare better if you change your handle to something like Calvinconvert, or Calvinisawesome or IloveCalvin

Alas, I had my Damascus-road experience, and it turned out to lead to Holland. I simply responded to the call.

I hate to point out the logical fallacy of your defense but being who I am I'll do it anyway. A Damascus road experience (both literally and metaphorically speaking) is one where the scales fall from from your eyes, not where the scales fall on your eyes.

[bulldogalum]

Best of luck on the new start, sac .

[almcguirejr]

I've really enjoyed sort of being the Hope rep on this board, its a HUGE responsibility, I never intended it to be that way but it just sort of happened.   I encourage our lurkers to speak out and add their voice, and more importantly I encourage our regulars to let them.  One thing that has been noticed by more than a couple Hall of Famers is that we tend to be a little clique and are quick to point out others errors or quick to disagree.  We're working on it.

I'm just wondering why you feel you have a need to represent Hope on this board.  I see this as forum to present my own opinion.  I have tried to remain as anonymous as possible so I can state my opinion without having to please somone else.  It seems to me you cannot be as honest with your opinions if you consistantly view yourself as an unpaid extension of Hope College.

[realist]

Sac:  Over the years you have done a great job posting, and represented your school well.  Each of us has our own biases, and whom among us isn't proud of the college we attended or support today.  I agree on the need to be compassionate to new and old posters alike.  Over the years we have had a few true jerks posting on here, but for the most part it has been informative and fun.  
We all need to be careful when we are "dishing it out" if we can't "take it" when it comes back at us.
Good luck on this new chapter of your life.  There is life outside Holland, and I am sure you can find a store with Hudsonville ice cream near you.

[BasketballMom]

I've really enjoyed sort of being the Hope rep on this board, its a HUGE responsibility, I never intended it to be that way but it just sort of happened.   I encourage our lurkers to speak out and add their voice, and more importantly I encourage our regulars to let them.  One thing that has been noticed by more than a couple Hall of Famers is that we tend to be a little clique and are quick to point out others errors or quick to disagree.  We're working on it.

I'm just wondering why you feel you have a need to represent Hope on this board.  I see this as forum to present my own opinion.  I have tried to remain as anonymous as possible so I can state my opinion without having to please somone else.  It seems to me you cannot be as honest with your opinions if you consistantly view yourself as an unpaid extension of Hope College.

Amen--great post--get kinda tired of the same 'ole thing, and no one's opinions matter but the boys from holland.

[almcguirejr]

I have every intention of seeing as many away games as possible (Olivet's a stone's throw away and Albion's around the corner), ironicly the longest drive for me is now to Hope.  I'll definately try to find a way to make the MIAA tournament as its my favorite hoops weekend of the year.

Does this mean there is a possibility of you changing your name to "Olivet Convert"?

[diehardfan]

I encourage our lurkers to speak out and add their voice, and more importantly I encourage our regulars to let them.  One thing that has been noticed by more than a couple Hall of Famers is that we tend to be a little clique and are quick to point out others errors or quick to disagree.  We're working on it.

I said something pretty similar to this over on the CCIW board... this is the United States of America after all, and that means all opinions should be welcomed as long as they don't infringe upon the rights of others. Less dramatically spoken, I hope that's true of all boards... the diversity of opinions definitely helps us fans know what's going on. I've also heard rumors that there are lots of female MIAA lurkers... and I could sure use all the help I can get as the resident female on the boards! 

Best wishes on your trip Scott. I hope you finally finished dusting and didn't get too high off the cleaning supplies. And that you don't get any tickets during the drive in your UHaul... not that that is possible.

Incidentally... ""It was nice to see the rivalry in action 2,500 miles from the motherland"----diehardfan on her Hope/Calvin satelite experience" is not anywhere nearly as funny as my butter quote. 

[diehardfan]

I've really enjoyed sort of being the Hope rep on this board, its a HUGE responsibility, I never intended it to be that way but it just sort of happened.   I encourage our lurkers to speak out and add their voice, and more importantly I encourage our regulars to let them.  One thing that has been noticed by more than a couple Hall of Famers is that we tend to be a little clique and are quick to point out others errors or quick to disagree.  We're working on it.

I'm just wondering why you feel you have a need to represent Hope on this board.  I see this as forum to present my own opinion.  I have tried to remain as anonymous as possible so I can state my opinion without having to please somone else.  It seems to me you cannot be as honest with your opinions if you consistantly view yourself as an unpaid extension of Hope College.

Amen--great post--get kinda tired of the same 'ole thing, and no one's opinions matter but the boys from holland.

I don't think any of us particularly set off to become the spokesperson of our schools. I do know however, that it's unavoidable, especially when you post a lot or are a HOFer. Everyone knows I come from Wheaton, and if I am rude, or idiotic, or childish, it reflects badly on my school. It's just a reality, and a responsibility that I've welcomed as an opportunity to remain accountable for my actions. There are a great many people who are alums of Wheaton who would do a vastly better job of it than me.... but you guys are stuck with me. 

Although there are sometimes good reasons for being anonymous, there are definitely good reasons for being known for who you are. This certainly doesn't make you a puppet of your school though... the Wheaton people know how devoted I am to my program, so if I get down on my guys for their lack of effort in a game, or question a coaching decision, or laud someone from another program, it doesn't make me any less of a devoted fan in their eyes. I think Scott has been very frank about the MIAA rep's chances in the playoffs, and it's certainly to his credit.

I think this reality is roughly the equivalent of all those NBA stars who say things like, "Hey, I never asked to be a role model for children." You are one. Deal with it. Make the best of it and stop doing such a crappy job. It may be ridiculous to make one person the spokesperson for something that happens to be one of their attributes, but it also happens all the time with race. "So April, you're Korean, Asian people think this, right?" Uhm.... I don't know?!?!   Just as I don't think this is particularly fair, I don't think it's particularly fair for me to the a representation of everything Wheaton stands for. But I try to deal with it and make the best of it. IMHO Sac has done just that and represented Hope well across the posting boards.

[goodknight]

I've really enjoyed sort of being the Hope rep on this board, its a HUGE responsibility, I never intended it to be that way but it just sort of happened.   I encourage our lurkers to speak out and add their voice, and more importantly I encourage our regulars to let them.  One thing that has been noticed by more than a couple Hall of Famers is that we tend to be a little clique and are quick to point out others errors or quick to disagree.  We're working on it.

I'm just wondering why you feel you have a need to represent Hope on this board.  I see this as forum to present my own opinion.  I have tried to remain as anonymous as possible so I can state my opinion without having to please somone else.  It seems to me you cannot be as honest with your opinions if you consistantly view yourself as an unpaid extension of Hope College.

Amen--great post--get kinda tired of the same 'ole thing, and no one's opinions matter but the boys from holland.

I don't think any of us particularly set off to become the spokesperson of our schools. I do know however, that it's unavoidable, especially when you post a lot or are a HOFer. Everyone knows I come from Wheaton, and if I am rude, or idiotic, or childish, it reflects badly on my school. It's just a reality, and a responsibility that I've welcomed as an opportunity to remain accountable for my actions. There are a great many people who are alums of Wheaton who would do a vastly better job of it than me.... but you guys are stuck with me. 

Although there are sometimes good reasons for being anonymous, there are definitely good reasons for being known for who you are. This certainly doesn't make you a puppet of your school though... the Wheaton people know how devoted I am to my program, so if I get down on my guys for their lack of effort in a game, or question a coaching decision, or laud someone from another program, it doesn't make me any less of a devoted fan in their eyes. I think Scott has been very frank about the MIAA rep's chances in the playoffs, and it's certainly to his credit.

I think this reality is roughly the equivalent of all those NBA stars who say things like, "Hey, I never asked to be a role model for children." You are one. Deal with it. Make the best of it and stop doing such a crappy job. It may be ridiculous to make one person the spokesperson for something that happens to be one of their attributes, but it also happens all the time with race. "So April, you're Korean, Asian people think this, right?" Uhm.... I don't know?!?!   Just as I don't think this is particularly fair, I don't think it's particularly fair for me to the a representation of everything Wheaton stands for. But I try to deal with it and make the best of it. IMHO Sac has done just that and represented Hope well across the posting boards.

More than that, sac has generally represented the MIAA well across the posting boards.
I hope the supercomputer isn't mothballed for long. 8)

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I've really enjoyed sort of being the Hope rep on this board, its a HUGE responsibility, I never intended it to be that way but it just sort of happened.   I encourage our lurkers to speak out and add their voice, and more importantly I encourage our regulars to let them.  One thing that has been noticed by more than a couple Hall of Famers is that we tend to be a little clique and are quick to point out others errors or quick to disagree.  We're working on it.

I'm just wondering why you feel you have a need to represent Hope on this board.  I see this as forum to present my own opinion.  I have tried to remain as anonymous as possible so I can state my opinion without having to please somone else.  It seems to me you cannot be as honest with your opinions if you consistantly view yourself as an unpaid extension of Hope College.

Amen--great post--get kinda tired of the same 'ole thing, and no one's opinions matter but the boys from holland.

Does this board have a Hope lean to it (especially this year) - you bet.  Why?  Because that's what people are posting about.  I'm sure if we could track this through the years, we would see that whoever is on top is the subject of the majority of the posts.  It's just natural. 

Look at Adrian - last year not much was said about them.  This year, we have had quite a bit of posting about them.  Same can be said for Tri-State, despite the fact that there is not a single Tri-State supporter on this board (at least no one that we know about).  We have also had numerous discussions about Calvin and their progress so far in a pretty challenging year for the Knights.

Point is, this is a board that is going to be read (and written to) by people who are interested in a certain team (for the most part).  The better a team does, the more people you will get reading and posting.

As always - if you don't like a particular discussion, then post something new.  This is a place for us to share at will.  I just wish there was some way for posts (or e-mails for that matter) to include the sentiments or feelings of the writer.  It's oh so easy to put your own inflection into it while reading, and completely change the meaning.  Let's cut each other a little slack - but also realize that "getting after each other" is the most exercise some of us get   

Lastly - sac, I know we'll still see you around and I'll still look for you at every game.   I can't survive without our halftime breakdown of the first half performance (we're better than Digger and friends!!).  But I also want to say that you are the man, and Holland will be a little less special without you living here.