MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HopeConvert]

That makes sense. I'm going to assume, then, if I get there for the Hope/AQ tipoff, there won't be any problems getting tickets. Anyway, the important thing here is that I got a clean bill of mental health (or relatively clean, at least) from OldKnight. Because, you know, one man's convert is another's traitor.

[oldknight]

Anyway, the important thing here is that I got a clean bill of mental health (or relatively clean, at least) from OldKnight. Because, you know, one man's convert is another's traitor.

Remember, the clinical trials have not yet been done. My son's fiance' does work at Pine Rest and she told me the convert/traitor dichotomy is undergoing clinical trials and is not yet ready for peer review. Let me know if you would like to be a case study.

[realist]

HC:  Your assumption is probably a very safe one.  Is OK: really qualified to certify anyone's mental status??  If all else fails you can probably placate OK by promising to cheer for Calvin vs. AQ.  (Which seems reasonable from a convert, but not a traitor)

[HopeConvert]

HC:  Your assumption is probably a very safe one.  Is OK: really qualified to certify anyone's mental status??   If all else fails you can probably placate OK by promising to cheer for Calvin vs. AQ.  (Which seems reasonable from a convert, but not a traitor)

Maybe not. But he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

How much would they pay me to be part of the clinical trial?

I have to root for Calvinists over Catholics?

[northb]

Wolverinekeith, thanks for the excellent recap. Though the Knight's play was lackluster over all, there were some bright spots. I don't remember Veldhouse doing so much slashing to the basket last year. He even looked like he was posting up at one point. He showed great determination and the ability to carry the team.

The box score has the Aquinas-Hope game with an attendance of 2100 and Calvin-Cornerstone at 1250. A single ticked got you into both games, and the attendance looked about the same to me for both games. So where do those figures come from?

Any predictions on Calvin v. Aquinas and Hope v. Cornerstone?

The article in today's Press notes there was "a standing room-only crowd inside Cornerstone University's 3,000-seat Mol Arena." Call me crazy, but I take that to mean in a 3000-seat arena you would have a minimum of 3000 persons. So what gives? Interesting that the Hope/AQ game would have significantly higher attendance than the Calvin/CU game, at Cornerstone.

I'm going to assume that the Press report was wrong and it wasn't SRO. Perhaps posters in attendance can correct the discrepancy. I'm also going to assume that it won't be difficult getting tickets for tonight's games. Safe assumption?

http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1195884322260210.xml&coll=6

VandeStreek seems to agree with WK's assessment:
http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1195884303260210.xml&coll=6

the SRO crowd was for the end of the Hope game, while the Calvin/CU fans were waiting for seats to vacate.  The second game was certainly not SRO

[wolverinekeith]

Wolverinekeith, thanks for the excellent recap. Though the Knight's play was lackluster over all, there were some bright spots. I don't remember Veldhouse doing so much slashing to the basket last year. He even looked like he was posting up at one point. He showed great determination and the ability to carry the team.

The box score has the Aquinas-Hope game with an attendance of 2100 and Calvin-Cornerstone at 1250. A single ticked got you into both games, and the attendance looked about the same to me for both games. So where do those figures come from?

Any predictions on Calvin v. Aquinas and Hope v. Cornerstone?

The article in today's Press notes there was "a standing room-only crowd inside Cornerstone University's 3,000-seat Mol Arena." Call me crazy, but I take that to mean in a 3000-seat arena you would have a minimum of 3000 persons. So what gives? Interesting that the Hope/AQ game would have significantly higher attendance than the Calvin/CU game, at Cornerstone.

I'm going to assume that the Press report was wrong and it wasn't SRO. Perhaps posters in attendance can correct the discrepancy. I'm also going to assume that it won't be difficult getting tickets for tonight's games. Safe assumption?

http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1195884322260210.xml&coll=6

VandeStreek seems to agree with WK's assessment:
http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1195884303260210.xml&coll=6

Standing room only isn't accurate.  There were plenty of seats available.  Some people (including myself) stood on the mezzanine level the entire game, but that was by choice (I liked the view, and kept running into people from school I hadn't seen in a while).  I could have easily found a seat if I had wanted one.

Looking at the box score now,  Mantel's 2-9 night for 5 & 7 boards with 4 PFs in only 15 minutes is totally accurate.  Despite his size advantage over Kingshott (3", although Kingshott is a load down there) he was unable to get post position deep enough to be able to do much other than turnaround jumpers.  Veldhouse was the only Knight consistently taking the ball to the rim (well, Engelsma on OR, too).  That's not good at all.  

This was my first time seeing the Knights this year.  After Mantel had 17 in both of the first games, I was expecting a more polished performance.  He's got work to do yet.

**One note: please don't take my negativity as meaning too much.  I really like this Calvin team.  They have a lot of talent and decent depth, it seems.  Koetsier was solid while he was out there, so that's a nice contribution where I didn't really expect any.  Between Veldhouse, Griffin and Mantel, there are 3 guys who can put up 25 on any given night, and with Engelsma and Veltema there's additional shooting and inside scoring, too.  If this team comes together, they could really do something in the tournament.  If Griffin were back next year, I'd be tempted to say Final Four in 2009, but that's obviously not the case.**

One last point: Calvin got no production at all from freshmen.  With Hope getting a good amount, Calvin's going to have to hit the recruiting trail very hard to get some talent in to avoid a huge dropoff after the Mantel/Veltema class.  Losing Kelvin DeVries (darn C-stone and their scholarship dollars....the sell-outs) hurt a lot in this regard.  

[scottiedawg]

As a Hope fan, it pains me to say this, but even after a lackluster performance last night, the Knights are deep, loaded, experienced, and come season end, will be primed to make a deep run in March. 

And Knight fans may disagree, but I think that next year, even after losing Griffin, the Knights will be just as good, if not better.  Veldhouse will be the undisputed man (he's a better player than Griffin and deserves more shots; we all saw what he did last night with a hobbled and ineffective Griffin).  In my estimation, Griffin holds Veldhouse back.  Veldhouse and Mantel will play a two-man game that will be virtually impossible to defend.  I hope I am wrong, but I fear I am not. 

[Civic Minded]

As a Hope fan, it pains me to say this, but even after a lackluster performance last night, the Knights are deep, loaded, experienced, and come season end, will be primed to make a deep run in March. 

And Knight fans may disagree, but I think that next year, even after losing Griffin, the Knights will be just as good, if not better.  Veldhouse will be the undisputed man (he's a better player than Griffin and deserves more shots; we all saw what he did last night with a hobbled and ineffective Griffin).  In my estimation, Griffin holds Veldhouse back.  Veldhouse and Mantel will play a two-man game that will be virtually impossible to defend.  I hope I am wrong, but I fear I am not. 

Well, imho you were wrong about Klein's efforts last night, so maybe you'll be wrong about this too!     (But yes, they will be a formidible pair.)

[scottiedawg]

Well, also imho (I am assuming you are referring to my claim that Klein, along with three other starters, played without intensity), Klein looked lost and unassertive.  He did garner six rebounds, but no solid boxouts or tough rebounds stick out in my mind.  He shot poorly, and was a non-factor.  When he plays tough, his length alters shots, causes turnovers, and disrupts the opposing team.  Enough ragging on Klein, he had a poor game, which is a rarity for him. Klein, along with Wolfe and Reimink, will play with intensity; we don't have to worry about that; they simply had a rough start to the year.  DVS on the other hand, often plays like he'd rather be somewhere else.  I gather that this a source of constant frustration for Hope fans, who know that Derek is a special talent who continues to throw it away. 

[northb]

DVS on the other hand, often plays like he'd rather be somewhere else.  I gather that this a source of constant frustration for Hope fans, who know that Derek is a special talent who continues to throw it away. 

And on that note, I thought it was poor sportmanship toward the end of the game when DVS and one of the Aquinas players bumped into each other as Hope was trying foul--the ball was whistled dead.  The AQ player offered him a hand to get up, and DVS made a point not to take it and get up on his own.

On a better note, I got to briefly make the aquaintance of Sac, FDF and CM--a pleasure to meet each of you after years of drinking in your basketball and MIAA knowledge.

[sac]

Score of interest

Augustana 66 Washington, Mo 60

The AQ player offered him a hand to get up, and DVS made a point not to take it and get up on his own.

While I was disappointed that DVS chose to show his frustration with the ending the way he did, Mr. Wierzbicki for AQ chose much of the OT to run his mouth most of it directed in DVS' ear.  I was happy to see Dave Hammer pull him out when he did, it could have gotten ugly.

[calalum]

Looking forward to two more good basketball games tonight.  First prediction Hope over Cornerstone by 6, then Calvin over Aquinas by 8.  It does depend on how close the refs call the game Aquinas is a physical team and that could put some people in foul trouble.  Calvin needs to make its free throws especially at the end of the game.  Also looking for Veldhouse to be most valuable player.  See you there.

[sac]

2:25 to go

Aquinas 72 Calvin 68

"This is just a great small college basketball game."---Doug Wentworth

AQ 72 Calvin 70  Veldhouse for 2

AQ 74 Calvin 70 Lazic rebound, putback

AQ 74 Calvin 73 Veldhouse 3, just over a buck to go

:44 to go, Aquinas with a 1 for 1, missed rebound Calvin

Zorhoff with a miss, AQ rebound, 6.5 seconds to go AQ on the line

Lazic, makes them both for AQ

Aquinas 76 Calvin 73

Veldhouse  leaner for 3 goes off the glass and in for 3 at the buzzer

Aquinas 76 Calvin 76 going to OT

In the OT

A little over 2 minutes to go,  Calvin 78 Aquinas 78

"Outstanding, outstanding small college basketball game"--Dougie Fresh

Calvin has missed 3 FT in OT, Smith makes his 2nd.  79-78

51.2 to go  AQ misses 1, makes the 2nd FT- Lierman  tied at 79, to AQ

Calvin miss, AQ travels, just 2.9 sec to go, Calvin ball............Caleb should just throw the ball over his head blindly and start walking off the court.....I'm sure it will go in.


Steal at the midcourt, AQ prayer not answered.......Double OT  Aquinas 79 Calvin 79 just 3 points scored in OT "these two teams are just dead tired"

[sac]

SECOND OVERTIME

Just over 2 min to go
Aquinas 84 Calvin 81---Wierzbicki 1 for 2 at the line

Zorhoff, Englesma have fouled out for Calvin

Lierman for 2, AQ 86 Calvin 81

1:19 to go, Wierzbicki fouls out for AQ  Veltema makes 2 FT 86-83 AQ

AQ takes a bad 3, Veltema makes a 3 for Calvin  40 seconds or so to go

tied again 86-86

10 second difference in the shot and game clock  "what a great game"  Dougie

Lierman runner for 2 88-86, Veldhouse miss Katt followup good, 88-88

Lazic lays in the AQ putback, 90-88 Aquinas

3.6 seconds to go, timeout Calvin........wow fast a furious finish

Dustin Smiths 3 goes off the rim at the buzzer

FINAL  Aquinas 90 Calvin 88

[sac]

A big congratulations to Aquinas for winning the Hall of Fame classic.  Of the 5 teams that have competed in this tournament in 12 years, I think AQ has probably had the least overall success and has been greatly overshadowed in the press by Calvin, Hope and Cornerstone's recent successes.

This is not a deep AQ team by any stretch, but their starting 5 is solid, and they just basically fought two wars of ballgames for 15 extra minutes and came out the winners.  After 5 years of seeing a handfull of AQ games, I can conclude that Dave Hammer can flat out coach.  His teams really fight hard.

Congrats to AQ, pretty sure none of us were willing to give them the respect they deserve, but I think we will now.

Lierman for Aquinas MVP.