MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[dumezrules]

Thought I'd drop by and give you MIAA guys a scouting report on Chicago.

The Maroons are in the dance for the first time since 2001, when they reached the Elite Eight with Derek Reich.  Chicago had been a middle-of-the-pack UAA team for three years prior to this season.  UC's success in 2006-07 is even more surprising considering their starting center, Tim Reynolds, has been out since December with a broken foot or ankle.

The Maroons are undersized and have overachieved, but they are still a dangerous team.  To earn the W, Hope will have to come into Illinois and take this game from the Maroons -- Chicago will not beat themselves.  The Maroons consistently put points on the board (8 straight games with 74+) and take care of the basketball (only 10.5 TO per game).  They play hard, they play smart, and they play together.  This is an experienced team that is well-coached by Mike McGrath.

Sounds just like Hope!  Should be a great matchup!!!  

Too bad I have to be at a HS game that night......hopefully the Dutchmen can pull it out so we can make a trip to Chicago on Saturday!!  (I really miss that traffic

[HopeConvert]

Got my tickets. I'm told they're all sold now.

Evidently (according to the person at the ticket office with whom I spoke) Ray Smith called Aurora yesterday and begged them to clear the gym between games, but was told that campus security regarded that as too much hassle.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Evidently (according to the person at the ticket office with whom I spoke) Ray Smith called Aurora yesterday and begged them to clear the gym between games, but was told that campus security regarded that as too much hassle.

That is a very unfortunate decision and if the story is true I would say the Aurora AD and Pres, etc could use an email and reminders in how institutional heirarchy works. As Campus Security's bosses they get to give orders and directions and Campus Security gets to follow them. If the AD says clear the gym Campus Security has to do it, they are getting a pay check, make them earn it!!! It would be very easy to clear a gym of Aurora's size in the 45 minutes that will naturally occur in between the end of the Hope game and the tip of the Calvin-Aurora game. I could do it with a public address announcer and 4 employees.

[almcguirejr]

Got my tickets as well.  I was 16th in line and my tickets were #45 & #46.  There were only about 35 people there.  Students were starting to show up as I left.

It was about the same way at Calvin yesterday.  It seems to me if you were a season ticket holder and wanted tickets to the game they were available at both schools.  It doesn't seem like the demand was as great as expected.

[dothedew]

Actually a lot of people I talked to didn't even try and get tickets due to the low number that were made available.
Individuals that dont' have season tickets...etc.
I think the low number is what caused a lot of people to not even try.
I'm looking forward to the internet broadcast....I love listening to the Hope accouncers for both the men's and women's broadcasts.
GO HOPE!!!

[realist]

I am sure the low ticket allotment did discourage many people, and that may be exactly what the AD at Aurora wanted.  I wouldn't be too quick to "assume" the campus cop made that level decision (no split ticket/games) even if I was told it I would regard it with suspicion.  The AD at Aurora probably has a good memory relating to the MIAA, and what happened the last time Calvin came to town.  Frankly I would interpret this as meaning the probability of tickets being available at the door as pretty good.  If average attendance at Aurora games is 600, and spring break starts Friday why would students etc. suddenly consider a bball game must see?  They didn't two years ago!  Remember we aren't talking Holland here.
dtd:  I tried listening to a Hope game, and watching the stat board at the same time.  The time delay makes it interesting. 

[hope81]

Would anyone with tickets be interested in carpooling to Aurora?  We have two people, one adult and one 16 year old.  We are staying at the Baymont Inn.  I would help with driving, gas, etc. if your car.  Or could be vice versa.  If interested call 616-335-5025 after 5 pm and we'll discuss.

[hope81]

I should have clarified:  I have tickets already.

[AndersDY]

Would anyone with tickets be interested in carpooling to Aurora?  We have two people, one adult and one 16 year old.  We are staying at the Baymont Inn.  I would help with driving, gas, etc. if your car.  Or could be vice versa.  If interested call 616-335-5025 after 5 pm and we'll discuss.

Someone is going to have a lot of voicemails selling mortgage refinances and male enlargement by the time he gets home...

[oldknight]

I am sure the low ticket allotment did discourage many people, and that may be exactly what the AD at Aurora wanted.  I wouldn't be too quick to "assume" the campus cop made that level decision (no split ticket/games) even if I was told it I would regard it with suspicion.  The AD at Aurora probably has a good memory relating to the MIAA, and what happened the last time Calvin came to town.  Frankly I would interpret this as meaning the probability of tickets being available at the door as pretty good.  If average attendance at Aurora games is 600, and spring break starts Friday why would students etc. suddenly consider a bball game must see?  They didn't two years ago!  Remember we aren't talking Holland here.
dtd:  I tried listening to a Hope game, and watching the stat board at the same time.  The time delay makes it interesting. 

There is another reason--not yet considered--why Aurora might not want split sessions. No doubt Aurora's coach has vivid memories (nightmares really) from two years ago of his team being the visiting team in its own gym. He might not want to split the session in order to keep down the number of Calvin fans who might appear at the second game. After what he experienced in 2005 I could hardly blame him for wanting to do something to depress ticket sales to rabid Knight fans.

[northb]

I am sure the low ticket allotment did discourage many people, and that may be exactly what the AD at Aurora wanted.  I wouldn't be too quick to "assume" the campus cop made that level decision (no split ticket/games) even if I was told it I would regard it with suspicion.  The AD at Aurora probably has a good memory relating to the MIAA, and what happened the last time Calvin came to town.  Frankly I would interpret this as meaning the probability of tickets being available at the door as pretty good.  If average attendance at Aurora games is 600, and spring break starts Friday why would students etc. suddenly consider a bball game must see?  They didn't two years ago!  Remember we aren't talking Holland here.
dtd:  I tried listening to a Hope game, and watching the stat board at the same time.  The time delay makes it interesting. 

There is another reason--not yet considered--why Aurora might not want split sessions. No doubt Aurora's coach has vivid memories (nightmares really) from two years ago of his team being the visiting team in its own gym. He might not want to split the session in order to keep down the number of Calvin fans who might appear at the second game. After what he experienced in 2005 I could hardly blame him for wanting to do something to depress ticket sales to rabid Knight fans.

Yeah!  And why would he want to play the game for the fans, anyway?

[oldknight]

I am sure the low ticket allotment did discourage many people, and that may be exactly what the AD at Aurora wanted.  I wouldn't be too quick to "assume" the campus cop made that level decision (no split ticket/games) even if I was told it I would regard it with suspicion.  The AD at Aurora probably has a good memory relating to the MIAA, and what happened the last time Calvin came to town.  Frankly I would interpret this as meaning the probability of tickets being available at the door as pretty good.  If average attendance at Aurora games is 600, and spring break starts Friday why would students etc. suddenly consider a bball game must see?  They didn't two years ago!  Remember we aren't talking Holland here.
dtd:  I tried listening to a Hope game, and watching the stat board at the same time.  The time delay makes it interesting. 

There is another reason--not yet considered--why Aurora might not want split sessions. No doubt Aurora's coach has vivid memories (nightmares really) from two years ago of his team being the visiting team in its own gym. He might not want to split the session in order to keep down the number of Calvin fans who might appear at the second game. After what he experienced in 2005 I could hardly blame him for wanting to do something to depress ticket sales to rabid Knight fans.

Yeah!  And why would he want to play the game for the fans, anyway?

It's entirely possible that Aurora's coach doesn't give a rat's petut about the visiting team's fans. His school is getting 2/3 of the tickets and based on what I observed two years ago that's more than enough for his school.

A coach who wants to maintain home court advantage. Imagine that.

[GoKnights68]

I am sure the low ticket allotment did discourage many people, and that may be exactly what the AD at Aurora wanted.  I wouldn't be too quick to "assume" the campus cop made that level decision (no split ticket/games) even if I was told it I would regard it with suspicion.  The AD at Aurora probably has a good memory relating to the MIAA, and what happened the last time Calvin came to town.  Frankly I would interpret this as meaning the probability of tickets being available at the door as pretty good.  If average attendance at Aurora games is 600, and spring break starts Friday why would students etc. suddenly consider a bball game must see?  They didn't two years ago!  Remember we aren't talking Holland here.
dtd:  I tried listening to a Hope game, and watching the stat board at the same time.  The time delay makes it interesting. 

There is another reason--not yet considered--why Aurora might not want split sessions. No doubt Aurora's coach has vivid memories (nightmares really) from two years ago of his team being the visiting team in its own gym. He might not want to split the session in order to keep down the number of Calvin fans who might appear at the second game. After what he experienced in 2005 I could hardly blame him for wanting to do something to depress ticket sales to rabid Knight fans.

Yeah!  And why would he want to play the game for the fans, anyway?

It's entirely possible that Aurora's coach doesn't give a rat's petut about the visiting team's fans. His school is getting 2/3 of the tickets and based on what I observed two years ago that's more than enough for his school.

A coach who wants to maintain home court advantage. Imagine that.

Yeah, anyone at that game two years ago can honestly describe it as a Calvin home game.  It definetily helped Calvin tremendously.

[ziggy]

Yeah, anyone at that game two years ago can honestly describe it as a Calvin home game.  It definetily helped Calvin tremendously.

What a great memory that game is for me, and really the whole tournament run.  It will be fun to relive it a bit by going back to AU although a different environment since it won't be only Calvin fans and Aurora parents.  Does anyone remember the former NBA-er that came from AU?  I think I remember a #8 Bulls jersey in one of their showcases.

Hopefully Aurora will have their blue and white version of the neckbraced sausage at the game again this year.

[HopeConvert]

I am sure the low ticket allotment did discourage many people, and that may be exactly what the AD at Aurora wanted.  I wouldn't be too quick to "assume" the campus cop made that level decision (no split ticket/games) even if I was told it I would regard it with suspicion.  The AD at Aurora probably has a good memory relating to the MIAA, and what happened the last time Calvin came to town.  Frankly I would interpret this as meaning the probability of tickets being available at the door as pretty good.  If average attendance at Aurora games is 600, and spring break starts Friday why would students etc. suddenly consider a bball game must see?  They didn't two years ago!  Remember we aren't talking Holland here.
dtd:  I tried listening to a Hope game, and watching the stat board at the same time.  The time delay makes it interesting. 

There is another reason--not yet considered--why Aurora might not want split sessions. No doubt Aurora's coach has vivid memories (nightmares really) from two years ago of his team being the visiting team in its own gym. He might not want to split the session in order to keep down the number of Calvin fans who might appear at the second game. After what he experienced in 2005 I could hardly blame him for wanting to do something to depress ticket sales to rabid Knight fans.

Certainly a plausible hypothesis. I'm rather impressed.