MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[AndersDY]

The other upcoming game which scares me slightly is the trip to Albion, although they looked really off their game when they came to Devos, Hope teams tend to struggle at Albion, so I have a feeling that will be a hard fought close game as well.

Didn't Hope just come off a stretch of dominating Albion in their own building? Last year the home teams won, but I thought in the prior years there was a streak of the road team winning. Hope has certainly struggled with Albion in this century more than any other non-Calvin conference team, but that seems to just be because Albion is coming off a period during which they had a pretty strong team. Now that it appears Albion has returned to the standard position of not-Hope/Calvin, I wouldn't expect that anything about playing in that particular building will cause any exceptional problems. Or are there also signs that Albion is near their recent level of play and have been underachieving?

Of course, that building could be a problem if Hope lets the game stay close and give the officials a chance to call a ticky tack foul with no time left 

[flash96]

Albion is indeed are difficult place to play!  The fans being very close to the floor and usually with exceptional energy certainly plays into their hands.  Much like the Civic Center did for Hope.  In recent years the officiating at Albion has always been suspect.  I don't want to sound like a biased fan. but when the old Hope fans dispute calls then I begin believe that there is a bias.  It may simply be the environment.

I watched a game between Albion and Olivet there a few years ago and it seemed that the refs were one sided in that game as well.  Maybe its just that the MIAA has had poor officiating. 

Your thoughts?

[flash96]

Sorry for the poor grammer, hope none of my students read that!

One other thought the officials were quick to react to comments from the crowd.  I simply told a ref that he wasn't in position to make the call and he turned to me and said, "One more comment and you're gone!"  I could understand if I swore at him, but I used the "King's English".  It may have been that I was right behind him on the side line?

[bulldogalum]

In my experience, MIAA officials do not react well when fans tell them they're out of position to make certain calls, especially when the fan is right.

[section7]

Random Thoughts:

1.  Did anyone see Cramer's dunk on Saturday?

2.  Did anyone see Sac's post that he would not be posting as frequently on this forum?

3.  Did anyone notice that the BBall mom's apologize alot on this forum?

[CalvinChelseaMom]

Hmmm...Section 7..interesting points.  Got me wondering if I have an "apology" complex or something.  Checked out my posts and only found one apology (made most recently).  Not sure about BasketBall Mom.  But hey, I apologize if I'm over-apologizing.     I try to keep a healthy balance...you know, apologize when I'm wrong, be humble when I'm not.  As our church motto states:

In Essentials, Unity
In Non-Essentials, Liberty
In All Things, Charity

That can apply to all areas of life.

[AndersDY]

Don't kill me fellow Hope posters, but I would peg Mantel as the top freshmen, what with his size, scoring, and rebounding averages in limited minutes. 

Why would we kill you over that? We all saw his performance against Hope a couple weeks ago. If that game is indicative of the kind of year Mantel was having, then it again appears Calvin has the top freshman.

[dewthedutch]

in terms of the freshman of the year award, i would tend to agree.  from what i have seen, mantel is doing a great job for calvin.  i would love to see the award go to kratz (or hope in general),  but i don't see that happening this year.  i see big things for both players in the years to come. 

[section7]

CC Mom -

Just playing with you.  Here's to "Hopeing" your younger sons' favorite colors are orange/blue not maroon/gold.

If their near as talented as their older brother, the Mantel name may be a fixture on this board for the next decade or so.

[almcguirejr]

I think John Mantel is the best freshman in the league and will be an MIAA MVP
before he's through.

[KnightSlappy]

CC Mom -

Just playing with you.  Here's to "Hopeing" your younger sons' favorite colors are orange/blue not maroon/gold.

If their near as talented as their older brother, the Mantel name may be a fixture on this board for the next decade or so.

I believe that John will have a very strong career at Calvin.  There were times during both the Hope and Albion games that he showed the intensity and determination of a SR or JR.  If there are younger Mantels and they play anything like John, they will ALWAYS be welcome at Calvin. (even if they don't play ball it would be better to see them in Maroon and Gold than orange and blue)

[diehardfan]

Calvin fans are totally going to love this.

I recently posted this on the "Best Attendance" Board:

PM 600 courtesy of DC.... I think the real question is, who will be PM 666?

Isn't this tempting fate a little bit, what with the stalker and all?

I'm rapidly nearing 666... just a heads up warning to anyone who does not want to be my own personal antichrist. 

The person that just sent me message 666? HopeConvert. No offense intended to Hope of course, it was purely an ironic coincidence!

[HopeConvert]

Mantel is the best freshman I have seen live. He has a chance to be scary good. I was very impressed.

[HopeConvert]

Calvin fans are totally going to love this.

I recently posted this on the "Best Attendance" Board:

PM 600 courtesy of DC.... I think the real question is, who will be PM 666?

Isn't this tempting fate a little bit, what with the stalker and all?

I'm rapidly nearing 666... just a heads up warning to anyone who does not want to be my own personal antichrist. 

The person that just sent me message 666? HopeConvert. No offense intended to Hope of course, it was purely an ironic coincidence!

It's not the first time I have been accused of being the antichrist. It's why I always wear a hat.

[BasketballMom]

Hey, I only apologized once, just didn't want to get on the wrong side of the posters on this board, yikes!! Since I'm fairly new, I need some help here.  When I log in, it keeps saying I have 2 messages, 1 is new.  How do I access the messages?!!   Just a rookie I am.