MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[oldknight]

Did anyone happen to take in the Champions of Character games at cornerstone last night?  Future dutch, knight, saints, and golden eagles were on display.  Not much D played, but it was fun to watch.

I was there and I've returned home from the hospital after a night's treatment for frostbite. Other than having been in a walkin milk cooler once I'm pretty sure I've never been in a building that large that was that cold. No wonder Cornerstone has had some financial issues that last few years. The electric bill at the Bernice Hansen Athletic Center must be enormous. The loudest cheer of the night came when they announced "We have turned off the air conditioning."

The all star game was, well, a typical all star game. It contained the usual defensive style--clutch and grab or none at all, the post players only got to shoot when they grabbed  an offensive rebound, and last but not least, you definately didn't want to be the guy inbounding the ball. But it was still entertaining. At some point I realized I was really watching two teams who had bought into playing the Grinnell system--fun to watch once in a while but I wouldn't want to get a regular dose of that style of play.

Ty Tanis (Hope) led the East team with 19 and even by the standards of an all star game demonstrated a shooting style the Chicago way--he did it early and often. He did shoot well and the kid definately has range on his jumper. The NCAA's plan to lengthen the arc won't bother Tanis one bit. They could move it back to the NBA line and it wouldn't bother him much. He's a good athlete and, assuming he doesn't shoot too early, too often in Hope's possessions he should do well at Hope. It's a bit risky to make assessments of players' tendencies by watching them at all star games but he will need to demonstrate a little more patience (and play better defense) than what we saw from him last night. I hadn't seen him play high school ball for a couple of years so I didn't realize until last night who he reminded me of. For those of you not familiar with Tanis think Derek Griffin, they're a lot alike. I expect Tanis will be at least as good and has the potential to be better than Griffin.

I assume Davelaar was at the game to watch Hope's prize recruit. I almost didn't recognize Tom without the familiar blue suit we're accustomed to seeing from Hope's 24 assistant coaches ( ) and dressed in shorts and a golfing shirt he looked to be just about as cold as I was.

Because of the West squad's dearth of post players (Anyijong was a no show), Nathan Sytsma (Calvin) was forced to played out of position all night. He can score inside and out but he's not a post player and with all star games favoring wing players when it comes to shots taken he didn't get many to take. I thought he did well to get the 9 points he got and he made the only 3 he took. With players like Kelvin Grady and Mike Sutton on his team taking most of the shots this was a game where he wasn't (pre) destined to get the MVP award. I've seen Sytsma play enough in high school to convince me that he will be a very effective varsity player.

Speaking of Grady, I do think he has the potential to be a good player at U of M. I didn't think so a year ago but having seen him play several times last winter and now again Friday night there is no question this guy has D1 quickness and ball handling skills. He also has a good outside shot and can penetrate this lane and dish too.

I found out from the program that Mike Sutton is going to Adrian, something I didn't know. Maybe it's just me but I always thought he was a bit overrated and last night's game didn't do anything to disabuse me of that notion. I expect that at some point he will be a starter for the Bulldogs but I honestly don't see him being a star in the MIAA. I did think he played pretty good defense on Austin Thornton (the only defense I spotted all night) and frustrated the daylights out of Drew Neitzel's summer roommate in the first half in part because--as is typical of allstar games--the refs didn't exactly have a tight whistle. Thornton was a disappointment. He scored 21 but most of them came in the last 10 minutes of the game after the West team had the game wrapped up. I also thought Thornton exhibited something less than classy behavior during the game. Izzo is right to make Thornton prove himself at MSU by walking on. I'm not so sure he'll make it there.

To me, other than Grady, the most spectacular player to watch was Jerrell Sanders of Creston. I knew nothing about him before the game but I came away very impressed. A 6'5" greyhound with fabulous outlet passing ability he single handedly started--and finished--several fast breaks. Apparently he's going to Columbus (OH) CC and I wouldn't be surprised if he works his way into a scholarship school two years from now.

Bryan Snyder (Aquinas) played well the few times he actually got the ball. A 6'7" bruiser with a nice touch I think he's going to do well for the Saints. He reminded me a lot of the type of player Albion likes to recruit.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

It was apparently raining threes at the old CC last night.  Sure the IBL is an uptempo, lots of threes game, but anybody who can hit 8 in a row (former Hope player Mike Van Hekken) in one quarter is amazing

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/062407/localsports_20070624046.shtml

[hope1]

yeah  i wished i could have been there

[realist]

"You've mixed up your Calvin teams, 2005 went to the final four, 2004 lost to John Carroll in round one as the write up indicates".   
Yup, darn it but you are right.  Had a very senior moment apparently.
Keep up the good work Sac.  It is very enjoyable reading.
It still strikes me as odd that we play the whole conference scehdule, and season pointing for a chance to get to the post season games, and they don't count for more.   

[Flying Dutch Fan]

sac - I too am enjoying the SCRATS (Statistical Computer Rankings According To Sac).  I'm looking forward to the rest of them. 

Might be interesting once you are finished to do a poll of the posters - limiting them to your top 15, and have each poster rank them 1-15.  We could then compare the purely numeric evaluation of the SCRATS to the more anecdotle/emotional/"homer" based human one.  It would definitely help us all get through the basketball-less dog days of summer, and I'm sure would promote some lively discussion.

Keep up the good work!

[GoKnights68]

So does this top 10 teams thing go back to the '97 season then?


I am pretty sure I can predict the top 3 at least.

[sac]

This thing I'm doing includes the 1998 season.


I garuntee you can't predict the top 3.  When its done, I'm sure it will be a smitefest. 

[KnightSlappy]

This thing I'm doing includes the 1998 season.


I garuntee you can't predict the top 3.  When its done, I'm sure it will be a smitefest. 

I'll start early to get a jump on things. 

[hoopdreams]

nice article about ty tanis still planning to attend Hope in the fall in the Holland Sentinel Sunday.  Unfortunately, I do not know how to paste it on here.  In earlier reference to his D in the game past friday, there was little if any played by anyone, typical huh?  I watched my WO Panthers in a district game at Jenison 2 seasons ago, and tanis held zeerip, our leading scorer, to 0 points, 0-9 shooting so I'm not too concerned with that aspect of his game.  What was most impreesive to me, rather than his 5-8 from behind the arc, was a play when he penetrated, took on the double-team and dished to future dutchman, vandemere for an easy two.

[sac]

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/062407/localsports_20070624045.shtml

Ty Tanis article mentioned by hoopdreams

[calvin_grad]

This thing I'm doing includes the 1998 season.


I garuntee you can't predict the top 3.  When its done, I'm sure it will be a smitefest. 

Based on those comments, sac, I'm guessing Calvin's national championship team in 99/00 and/or their third place team in 04/05 isn't in the top 3.  

[sac]

#8   2005 Calvin

27-7, 11-3  MIAA 2nd, MIAA Tournament Champions, NCAA 3rd place Finish  Final D3hoops.com ranking #2


Most used starting lineup

G Ricky Shilts
G Kyle Trewhella
C Josh Meckes
F Joel Hoekstra
F Dan Aultman

Bench:  Andy Draayer, Brad Sall, Brian Roelofs, Josh Vriesman, Kyle Snoeyink, Eric DeVries

2005 would prove to be one of the most interesting in MIAA history.  This Calvin team began the season, unranked and underappreciated before a ball was even tipped. 

It began easy enough with comfortable wins over Grace Bible and Eastern U.  Their first loss came to D2 Ferris State, in a game that actually showed some of the Knights promise.  The Hall of Fame Classic was expected to be a classic with 3 local schools all expected to have quality teams.  Cornerstone edged out Hope to set up the final vs Calvin.  Only a 29 point performance for the Eagles Brandon Voorhees kept the Knights from capturing the classic title. 

The following week took the Knights and their rivals Hope to Wheaton for the first ever MIAA/CCIW challenge.  The first night proved to be one of the most exciting of the tournament with Wheaton edging Calvin 91-87 in OT.  Treated to a 27 point perfromance from Wheaton Johnathan Steven and 26 point 8-12 from 3 from Andy Draayer, fans couldn't possbily have known these two would tangle latter with higher stakes.   Calvin won the 2nd game over Carthage, and again it was close, an 83-82 OT win.  Three more wins before the MIAA season put Calvin at 8-3.

The MIAA season opened with Calvin pulling out a very tough 70-69 win at Adrian.  The first showdown of the MIAA season came the next game as the Knights entertained DePree, Thomas and Crawford of Albion, the Britons strongest team in years.  The Brits had climbed the D3hoops rankings into the top 10 with a perfect 11-0 record.  Albion pulled out the 68-65 victory and were on their way.

The Knights had shown good defensive promise all season, the next 6 games would bring that into focus holding 4 of 5 opponents under 60, with only circus ball happy Tri-State and Olivet crossing the mark, the later was a 30 point win.  After a 55-52 escape over  Alma, the Knights would dominate their wounded and struggling rivals from Holland 66-54, the Knights were still very much in the hunt for an MIAA Championship.

By the second go around with Albion the Knights had won 6 straight in MIAA play and 11 of their last 12.  Calvin had climbed into the d3hoops polls themselves and a top 25 matchup with Albion was on the cards.    Albion and Calvin were tied at the top with just one loss in the conference, the loser would find themselve one game behind and the season out of their control.  The more balanced Brits would prevail in a 78-76 OT classic.

Calvin continued to play great basketball, 3 consecutive easy wins and a loss by Albion to Hope put the Knights back in control of their MIAA destiny and tied for the lead, now it was one final trip to Holland and the last Hope-Calvin game at the Holland Civic Center.  There was just not going to be any denying Hope in its final clash on their old floor.  Hope would prevail in a tough gritty defensive battle 71-68, putting the Knights a game back of the Britons in the MIAA race with just one to go.   Three days later a 79-66 win by Albion, meant this talented group of Knights would finish the season as MIAA runner-ups and an invite to the NCAA's in doubt, winning the MIAA  tournament for a 2nd straight year was deemed a must.

Calvin coasted to an opening round win over Kzoo, up next was Hope for the 2nd time in 3 seasons played at Albion's Kresge Gymnasium.  The Knights gained their revenge for the loss that ultimately cost them the title cruising to a commanding 82-61 win.  They would face the hosts the following night and defensively they would shut down the conference champs on their home floor 61-48 and would gain the automatic bid for the conference.

Round one pitted the Knights against the familiar Wheaton Thunder in Wheaton, it was a matchup worthy of Sweet 16 status.  It was every bit the classic as the the CCIW/MIAA matchup was with Calvin winning on a late tip-in 75-74, they had survived to play another day in the tournament.  Hosts Aurora were next, and in front of a highly partisan Calvin crown won easily 71-59, it was on to the Sweet 16, a place this team had seemed destined for at times, but other times seemed out of reach.

For the first time the Sectional Semi-Finals included 2 MIAA teams,  Calvin and Albion.  The Britons drew hosting responsibilities and on Friday an historic sectional double header was played at Albion's Kresge Gymnasium.  Calvin would cruise to a comfortable 75-60 win over Mississippi College, displaying the great defense that had quietly become the staple of Calvin's success.  What can only be described as a miracle last second 3 by Albion's Michael Thomas set up an all MIAA Sectional Final, Calvin v Albion.

In the final led by Aultman and Hoekstra the Knights prevailed 60-52, once again the defense that had got them this far prevailed, the Knights were headed for Salem, Va.

In Salem, the Knights were heavy favorites in some eyes vs Rochester, but it was Rochester who would win 65-62, the Knights run for the title had fallen short.  Calvin prevailed the next nite, 98-84 over York, Pa.  Maybe it was a disappointing ending for some, but the Knights most didn't expect had proven to be one of the best teams in the country by years end.



Notes:   Hard to figure how this team doesn't rank a little higher, but again this Calvin team was pretty solid on defense and this computer ranking favors offensive teams.  I have no doubts the Knights were one of the best in the country in 2005 by years end, a slowish start probably prevents this team from being ranked higher as each game counts equally, there's no running from their early season losses.

Dan Aultman had a wonderful individual season and in a lot of other years he would have been the league MVP.  Travis DePree's equally fantastic season and the fact the Brits won the MIAA rightly gave that honor to Travis.

As a Hope fan of course I point to the loss late in the season to Hope as being the one that keeps this team from being higher on the list.  It really was a team that probably should have won at least a share of the MIAA title but 3 razor thin losses in the conference prevents that.

Ultimately though this team will be remembered for its run through the NCAA's, their fantastic win over Wheaton, and dominating wins over Aurora and Miss College and of course their historic win over Albion all the way to Salem.    This was obviously a well thought of team with a confusing final ranking of #2, two places ahead of Rochester, the team they lost to in Salem.  Proving not everything always makes sense.

[sac]

#7  2006 Hope


28-3, 12-2  MIAA 2nd, MIAA Tournament Champions, NCAA Sectional Semi's,  Final D3hoops.com ranking #6

Most used starting 5

G Greg Immink
G Stephen Cramer
C Eric Voisin
F Andy Phillips
F Marcus VanderHeide

Bench:  Tyler Wolfe, Jeff Carlson, Jesse Reimink, Scott Richardson, Tim Partridge, Evan Hare, Derek VanSolkema



2006 was a special year in the history of Hope basketball.  The opening of the brand new  DeVos Fieldhouse would be the highlight of the season for the tightnit Hope Community and would usher in a new era.  Hope hadn't played an on campus basketball game in decades untill November 19 when 3201 all clad in orange witnessed the first victory 70-53 over Elmhurst.

2005 had been a disaster for Hope, 2006 held new promise, returning from knee injuries were Sr's Greg Immink and Jeff Carlson, Andy Phillips was healthy again, Marcus VanderHeide, Tyler Wolfe, Tim Partridge and Evan Hare transferred in and Hope's were high that grouped with a  returning nucleas they could return the Dutchmen to the top of MIAA.   Outside of Holland, Hope was thought of as only 3rd best in the MIAA, not ranked in the top 25 and behind #8 Albion and #24 Calvin.

At the Hall of Fame Classic, Hope survived a 67-66 win over Aquinas and followed that with a dominant defensive performance to defeat Cornerstone 79-59.   It was Hope's turn to host the MIAA/CCIW challenge winning both games beating Wheaton by 26 and Carthage by 14.  It was the Carthage win that turned heads as Hope once trailed by 17.  By just the 2nd poll of the new season Hope was on the national radar at #14, and after the dominant wins against the CCIW challengers Hope was squarly in the top 10 at #8.  The word was out.

Hope would survive early scares to Aquinas and Lakeland in their new home, and a hard earned 89-77 win over OAC power John Carroll gave Hope an 11-0 record heading into the MIAA.  It was the first time since 1995 Hope went unbeaten in non-conference play, expectations were growing, the Dutchmen had now become the favorites in the MIAA.

The MIAA season began with comfortable wins over overmatched Kzoo and Olivet.  Hope was 13-0, now ranked #2 and headed for a showdown with #4 Albion 11-1.  On this snowy night though the Dutchmen were brought back to earth and were hammered 76-58 it was a no-doubter kind of loss.  Hope was forced to regroup just 3 days latter as the Knights of Calvin came to DeVos.  Hope would take their frustrations out on the Knights dominating a 73-55 win in a game that didn't seem even that close.

Starting with the Calvin win, Hope rolled off 7 in a row all by wide margins except for a 9 point win over Alma, a game they led by 24 with 7 minutes to play.  Hope was rolling, they were just coming off a return drubbing of highly ranked Albion 74-55 in Holland.  They were 21-1, ranked #4 and heading to Calvin tied with the Knights at 9-1.

Calvin had hung tough in the MIAA after thier previous loss to Hope, winning at Albion to remain tied was the one-up they had on the Dutchmen going into this game. Ultimately this was the game that would decide how this Hope team might be remembered.  They led Calvin for 39 minutes and 58 seconds in a brutal defensive slugfest where neither team gave an inch.   Freshman Caleb Veldhouse's 3 off an inbounds gave Calvin a 59-58 victory as time expired.  The surprising Knights were now in charge of the MIAA.  Hope was stunned again.

Hope finished out the MIAA season with 3 more wins, they had given up 70 points only twice, and had given up 63 points or less in their other 12 MIAA games.  They were one of the best defensive teams in Hope and MIAA history.  21-2 ranked #2, but were not champions of their conference.

As the MIAA tournament began, it seemed unlikely to think of of 21-2 team as being on the bubble for the NCAA's, but that was the reality for the Dutchmen.  At a minimum Hope needed to reach the finals, it was that desperate of a situation. 

The tournament opened with an easy 22 point over Alma.  Now it was off to the Calvin Fieldhouse and a showdown with Brandon Crawford and the Britons.  After hammering each other on each others floor, there was no doubt this was going to be a championship belt kind of fight.   Hope trailed for much of the first half, a late rally capped by a thunderous Stephen Cramer dunk sent Hope on its way to a dominating second half performance.  Hope would win 76-65 and given the situation it might have been Hope's biggest win of the season.

The loss 2 weeks earlier at Calvin didn't sit well with the Dutchmen, they were in the final to prove a point to the Knights.  In a game characteristic of many Hope games, the defense was astounding as they held the Knights to 20% first half shooting and raced to an 18 point halftime lead 39-21.  There was no denying this team the MIAA Tournament Championship.  Hope would hold on for a 68-55 win.

Under the new system for NCAA pairings Hope would host a group of four teams for rounds 1 and 2.   The Hope faithfull did not have to wait long to see their first NCAA game in DeVos.  As a top seed in the tournament Hope drew Wisconsin-Lutheran ironicaly an associate football member of the MIAA and a surprise winner of their own conference tournament.  By the end of the first half it was clear Hope would prevail at 52-31.  Fans were already lineing up for tickets to round 2.  Hope would win comfortably 93-51, it was one of the most lopsided games of the NCAA tournament.

Round 2 brought a familiar foe,  Calvin.  Hope had never beaten the Knights in NCAA play.  The Knights had deservedly earned a Pool C bid, and had dispatched of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with surprising ease.  Calvin too, had something to prove.  It was a tense Hope/Calvin affair as they always are.  Hope was in controll late but Calvin was rallying, a 2 on 1 face break developed for Calvin with under a minute to go, Sr Greg Immink stepped in front of Caleb Veldhouse to take a controversial charge in the most pivotal play of the game.   Depending on your allegence it was either the right or wrong call.   A late desperation 3 fell short for Calvin and  Hope would survive 70-67.  Hope was off to its first Sectional in 8 years.

Springfield, OH was the location, a familiar place for most in the Great Lakes Region.  Wittenberg had enjoyed a stellar season of their own, spending most of it in the top 5 and some of it at #1.  It was a matchup on paper worthy of a Final Four, but the Tigers and Dutchmen would meet in the Sweet 16.    Quite simply the first half was the lowpoint of the season, just 1-10 from 3 and shooting just 26% overall,  Hope was held to just 17 points.  The defense kept Hope in this game as it had all season, a 2nd half rally would fall short and ultimately the bitter first half performance would prove to big of a hill to climb.  Witt 56 Hope 49.



Notes:   2006 in my opinion was one of Hope's all-time best teams.  This team could play amazing defense and their stats show that.  Only 5 teams scored more than 70 points, and an amazing 16 were held to less than 60.  The loss that hurt the most was certainly the Calvin loss in Grand Rapids, just a mere one shot away from being MIAA Champions.

The bad taste of the Wittenberg loss will always linger.  Wittenberg went on to finish #2 losing on a last second 3 to National Champion Va Wesleyan.  It was cruel fate really that Hope and Wittenberg should meet so early in the NCAA tournament, but such is the format of the tournament.  I'll always feel this might have been Hope's best chance at a National Championship next to the 1995 team, by mid-season they were receiving a lot of #1 votes.  This team was very deep and talented, but best of all would always have a chance to win because of their defense first attitude.    Alot of people will forget Evan Hare but before his season ending back injury Hope was 14-0 and I'll be honest I didn't think anyone could beat that group of Dutchmen. 

The finish of the 2006 season would actually fuel the fire for motivation in 2007, as much of this team was returning.

Greg Immink is probably the player that will standout for me, his knee injury in 2005 was just something that team could never overcome.  The difference between the 04 and 06 Dutchmen compared to the 05 Dutchmen was so evident.  It was great to see him get one more season, and play out that Senior season in DeVos.

As far as where they rank, it would be higher if they were better offensively.  They had their moments but  I jokingly say this team used to score inspite of themselves, while thats not totally reallity it was the reason they lost 3 games, they had difficulty scoring in tough situations.  Frankly though many of Hope's games were over early, so their offensive numbers suffer a bit because of this.   Of all the teams I'd like to put on the floor against other teams from other years, this would be my Hope pick to win the majority of them.  This was an outstanding Hope team and I have little problem with someone calling them Hope's best in the past 10 years.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Another coaching change in the MIAA

"Today Alma College loses one of its finest people and a valued member of its Athletics Staff as the Men's Basketball Head Coach, Ed Kohtala, officially resigned to take a position as an Assistant Coach under newly hired Head Coach, Matt Brown, at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Kohtala worked with Brown when they both served under Billy Donavan at the University of Florida."


Here's a link to the complete announcement:

http://www.alma.edu/athletics/mbb/archives/2007/06/25/kohtala_resignation

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Interesting spin on the Alma website, about Kohtala improving the program, which lead me to look at his record.  Not to bash the guy, but these numbers tell a different story. 

Year ... MIAA ... Overall
01-02 ... 0-12 ... 3-22
02-03 ... 0-12 ... 1-24
03-04 ... 1-11 ... 3-23
04-05 ... 5-9  ... 11-15
05-06 ... 3-11 ... 10-16
06-07 ... 2-12 ... 3-22

Total ... 11-67 ... 31-122
Win % ... .141 ... .203

Previous 5 years

Total ... 18-46 ... 49-77
Win % ... .281 ... .389

I do think he recruited pretty well, and if he had been able to hold onto players, things might have been quite different.