MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HopeConvert]

That's the last Hope game I'll be able to attend before the MIAA tournament. I'm bummed.

[Dutch_Man]

Would you rather be the early favorite with the target on your back, or the underdog scrapping at the frontrunner?  All things being equal, I'd rather be in Hope's position than Calvin's, but by no means am I throwing in the towel.  KVS and his men will have some work to do. 

I would agree that Hope is probably the early favorite for the MIAA crown but when it comes to Hope vs. Calvin the table becomes level. Both teams have HUGE targets on their backs and both teams want nothing more than to bring the other down. If I am not mistaken Hope made Calvin look sick in their first meeting winning by 22 but things looked like hope was going to dominate them all year long but Calvin managed to give hope their first loss at DeVos and about a couple weeks later loss #2 came at DeVos. Sure Calvin streaked at the end of the year but I have no doubts that they will get their head on straight very shortly and get things rolling. I think Calvin has to much talent this year to let the league get out of reach like last year. It could be a close race all the way to the finish.

[hope1]

yes the miaa  race will be very close i think between  hope calvin albion   the top 3 schould be a very good race

[hopefan]

Was almost going to protest when I read Sac's comment that the Florida trip for Hope included two regional games, Elmhurst and Roanoke   -  How are they regional, I asked myself, as niether are in the Great Lakes Region.

  But knowing HOF'r SAC knows D3 hoops I thought I'd do the research!!   Roanoke is in the same geographic region (tho it doesn't make much geographic sense) and Elmhurst, while not in the same geographic region (again making no geographic sense), fits within the 200 mile rule...   
Indeed, two regional games!!

Thanks SAC!!!!

[realist]

Always writes: "1) The Aquinas coach has very little faith in his bench."  Another way to look at this issue is he has great respect for the Hope team.  We have had a running discussion on playing time strategies used by various coaches.  AQ used essentially the same strategy in beating both Calvin and Hope in OT, and then beating Calvin a second time.  Calvin, and Hope are both prone to using more players in their rotations.  All that being said it is hard to fault a coach and team that is 10-1, and nationally ranked NAIA. 
Early on I picked Calvin and Hope to tie for the MIAA, and figure it will probably be a home and home year.  I doubt anyone goes 14-0 this year.  Albion really looks like they could be tough to handle at their place, and  no one should look past them on their schedule.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

realist - I agree that a team going 14-0 is not likely, and that Albion looks to be a solid team.  The first league game (Jan 9th) for Hope is Albion (fortunately at the DeVos), but with 10 days off since their previous game (Dec 29) it's going to be extra tough.

[sac]

Fortunately for Hope, Albion will have the same 10 days off.

[Civic Minded]

Sac, your new pic is just sick and twisted!   

[sac]

Sac, your new pic is just sick and twisted!   

Yeah, its supposed to be Kirk Herbstreit, for some reason an altered pic of Mount Rushmore shows up sometimes.  I don't know what gives.

[almcguirejr]

Sac, your new pic is just sick and twisted!   

Blurry too!   

[scottiedawg]

Hope at #8!!

[NW Hope Fan]

Hope at #8!!

And with a #1 vote...

The top votes are spread all over the place, with 7 teams getting props. Calvin slips a bit, but I expect them to come back up in a few weeks. Albion just 3 points from the top 25.

My UPS/L&C game on 1/25 still looking good...

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Hope at #8!!

Probably a well deserved ranking for Hope right now. I just hope they can continue their strong early season play.  The games against Roanoke and Elmhurst can go a long way towards helping Hope get a pool C bid, which hopefully won't be necessary anyways.

[sac]

Hope at #8!!

And with a #1 vote...

The #1 vote is a bit of a reach, I think, but if UW Oshkosh can get one, why not?  It seems to be a poll of great indecision.


Score of interest
East-West 66 Carthage 63.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

That's the second time they played East-West.  The first time, Carthage won by 23 at Carthage.  The loss was at East-West.  From what I've read about East-West, they are not much of a team, and I think even play against some JV teams.

Carthage looks to be not much of a team this year