MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Hope 77 Adrian 61

I wanted to be upset with Hope's first half, I did, I really really did, but after some consultation with my advisors, they convinced it wasn't so bad to play like that and be up 5.  Especially considering how well Adrian played,  they were patient, had a good game plan and seemed to be executing well..........although I was surprised they shot under 50% in the first half.  Their defense seemed to have Hope stiffled and confused but Hope seemed pretty willing to not attack.  It was disappointing and truthfully the thoughts and memories of previous semi-final encounters with the Bulldogs were corsing through my brain.  Tell me all the air in DeVos didn't get sucked out when VanSolkema went down with an injury.......played through it though he was obviously uncomfortable.  Something to watch for tommorrow.

Fortunately before I could even find my seat for the second half Hope had a 10 point lead and made a nice run to start the half, 14-6  if you consider that a run.  But it gave Hope a nice cushion, probably put some pressure on the Bulldogs and they were unable to execute enough.  Hope did put better pressure on the ball, and truthfully Adrian made a lot of mistakes and took more poor shots in 5 minutes than they did the whole first half.  But Hope's been doing that to teams all year.

Tim Partridge had a excellent game off the bench with 12, seemed really confident with his shot.  Cramer 11 (how? I don't know), VanSolkema 11, Reimink 11.

No one for Adrian reached double-digits.

Adrian needed a better night than what they had to beat Hope tonight, much like Tri-State.  Eventually all the mistakes just caught up with them and they fell too far behind.  They didn't seem to play with much of a sense of urgency late in the game, which to me was a bit confusing.

Bottom line is Hope got through what has always been a thorn in the Dutchmen's season.  It may take me my whole life to figure out why Hope tends to struggle on Friday in this tournament (last year not included).

But the matchup we've anticipated takes place tommorrow........I hope we get Hope and Calvin 2nd half efforts and not each teams first half efforts.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

What sort of injury did DVS go down with tonight? How serious might it be even though he played through it?

[sac]

Brief thought

------I've been fortunate enough to see all 16 semi-finals, this was the least entertaining and the poorest quality since 1997.  It was disappointing for sure.  97 had an excuse as that involved a #5 and #6 seed who lost to #2Calvin and #1Hope by 37 and 30.   The next night was Hope 63 Calvin 62 in one of the many best all-time Hope/Calvin games.  Only something similar can save this weekend from being dead last on the top 16 MIAA tournament lists.

Maybe we've been spoiled, our last 5 or 6 have been outstanding, this night stunk period.

[almcguirejr]

Brief thought


this night stunk period.

Excellent Summation

One positive thing for Hope tomorrow;  MVH should be fresh 

[oldknight]

I'm all kinds of excited for tomorrow's game. Assuming I get tickets. They really have to figure out a more efficient way of doing this. I think it is going to be a VERY close game, perhaps OT. The key for Hope is going to be keeping Griffen under control (I'd like to see Partridge spend some time on him) and keeping Meckes off the boards. Hope needs to use their superior bench to their advantage, and not let Veltema have open 3's again.

If Hope thinks the most important to do tomorrow is to concentrate on stopping Griffen then they need to put VanderHeide on Derek. After his hot first half against the Dutch early this month Marcus guarded Griffen in the second half and pretty much shut him down. VanderHeide is the closest thing the MIAA has to a lockdown defender.

I have to disagree. Meckes is the closest thing to a lockdown defender.

Well stated knights2000. I will add this. Meckes is a lockdown post defender; VanderHeide is a lockdown perimeter defender. Overall I probably would take Josh first because he is more versatile, is a better rebounder and knows how to defend without getting into foul trouble. He is the only person who could give Brandon Crawford fits.

[HopeConvert]

What sort of injury did DVS go down with tonight? How serious might it be even though he played through it?

He had poked the ball away from an Adrian player and scooped up the steal. He then was pulled down from behind. From what I could see he was working on the muscle behind and to the right on his right knee. He was definitely lame there for awhile. It could be an issue. Marcus seemed ok after his ankle twist Wednesday night, but had so little playing time due to foul trouble it was tough to tell. He certainly came out fired up the second half, but that foul 10 seconds in was surely not bright. Slamming into a guy during a dead ball situation will get you whistled every time.

I agree with sac that Partridge looked quite good last night. He seemed very confident with his shot.

I also watched Veldhouse pretty closely. He's just not the same player he was last year, and if I had to identify one thing it's his quickness. He seems a little heavier to me, and if he has in fact lost half a step that may explain why defenders are having an easier time getting a hand in his face and altering his shot.

[realist]

Best thing I've read so far is Josh Meckes doesn't want his playing career to end.  IMHO Calvin has missed senior leadership much of the year.  Perhaps it has shown up, and might impact play.  Biggest concern for Calvin at this point is playing not to lose.  Better strategy is going all out from the opening tip, and force Hope to keep up.  If Calvin falls behind early there will be no coming back.  Not that Calvin won't make a try, but more Hope will go for the knock out.

[arena]

Best thing I've read so far is Josh Meckes doesn't want his playing career to end.  IMHO Calvin has missed senior leadership much of the year.  Perhaps it has shown up, and might impact play.  Biggest concern for Calvin at this point is playing not to lose.  Better strategy is going all out from the opening tip, and force Hope to keep up.  If Calvin falls behind early there will be no coming back.  Not that Calvin won't make a try, but more Hope will go for the knock out.

I agree.  Calvin has to come out and punch Hope in the nose.  Then the eye, then the nose again.  (All in a metaphorical way of course.)  If Hope is up at half time, I don't see Calvin coming back in the second half.

[diehardfan]

So......did anyone else find it hysterical they did blood pressure screenings at a basketball game?   

I have ridiculously low BP normally, but I'm pretty darn sure even mine was high last night!!!

Hope-Calvin, Take 3... wish I could be there!!! 

[sac]

Hope-Calvin, Take 3... wish I could be there!!! 

Take 4 actually, and for the second year in a row.

Quote from GVW in the Sentinel this morning.

"That's too many times ... it really is," Hope coach Glenn Van Wieren said. "The tradition of this game gets diluted when you play each other four times. That's a lot of games to play one team."

I love H-C games as much as anyone but I have to agree, this is the 10th game between these two in 24 months, and 8th in 13 months.

[KnightSlappy]

I think a lot of the difference you see in Caleb this year is that many teams key in on him as the primary scorer.  Last year he was more like the third option behind Trewhella and Draayer.  Should be another dandy at the Dick tonight

CALVIN vs HOPE X4

[realist]

Looking at todays game it may well come down to the play of the M's.  Josh Meckes, Marcus Vh, and John Mantel.  If Meckes plays his normal game defensively,  rebounds, and Mantel plays close to his potential it causes Hope all kinds of problems.  If Marcus has the career game he is capable of having he causes problems for Calvin.  Playing an outside game favors Hope.

GVW is probably right on the 4 times in one year, but do you eliminate the Van Andel matchup or the conference tournament? 

[Civic Minded]

Attention Hope fans!

We've had a late night request from some VIP's to "Paint the House Orange" once again.  If you read this in time, get off your behinds and wear something orange to the game!   

(Oh, and if you plan on coming to the game to "observe," only, stay home and give your tickets to someone who intends to vocally support your team.  I'm sure there's an ESPN game you can passively watch from the comfort of your sofa.)   

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I have to disagree. Meckes is the closest thing to a lockdown defender.

Well stated knights2000. I will add this. Meckes is a lockdown post defender; VanderHeide is a lockdown perimeter defender. Overall I probably would take Josh first because he is more versatile, is a better rebounder and knows how to defend without getting into foul trouble. He is the only person who could give Brandon Crawford fits.

Meckes is a good defender, but has he shown that this year?  Don't get me wrong, I actually put Meckes high on my fan poll voting (well above Caleb) but the only person to give Crawford fits?  Seems that the numbers don't support that.

Crawford numbers last year:

vs. Hope (3 games) averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds

vs. Calvin (2 gameS) averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I think a lot of the difference you see in Caleb this year is that many teams key in on him as the primary scorer.  Last year he was more like the third option behind Trewhella and Draayer.  Should be another dandy at the Dick tonight

Defenses may have looked at Caleb as the thrid option the first time they played the Knights last year, but never again.