MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ChicagoHopeNut]

I note in the D3 Hoops top 25, there are more teams with 2 and 3 losses than usual (at least looking back at week 3 for the past couple years), and far fewer 0 loss teams. That might help Calvin (possibly Hope, too, but right now I'm thinking Calvin's far more likely to need it) a C pool bid since Calvin already has the three losses. At the moment, however, I'm more worried about the regular season than the post-season.

Can anyone explain to me what a 'flex-offense' is? I've been told Calvin runs a flex-offense. Is it a common type of offense? What other types of offenses are there? Does a flex offense involve the team waiting to see if Caleb's going to shoot it, and if not, being 'flexible' and trying something else? Although I'm not really being serious with this last comment, I'm not being entirely sarcastic either?

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Smiley

Keep in mind that 2 of Calvin's 3 losses are to an NAIA team and would have no bearing on the NCAA Pool C selection process.  I'm not even sure if the other one counts, due to the in-region rules (other, more knowledgable posters will know this for sure). 

In moflt juriflidictionfl a flex offense ifl puniflhable by a flix to ten-year priflon flentence.   

Moreover, since the MIAA awards its automatic bid to the MIAA tourney winner Alma hypothetically could go winless all year and then win 3 games in the tourney and qualify, which means Hope and Calvin (and possibly Albion) would be sweating Pool C bids....Have I ever mentioned I don't like the practice of awarding automatic bids to conference tourney winners? I realize basically everyone does this except the Ivy League (and maybe the UAA in D3? Can someone confirm or deny that suspicion) but I still don't like it. Particularly at the D3 level where there are far fewer at-large bids than in D1.

[realist]

Is there any chance that 6'-8" Dan Possehl from Tri-Unity Christian goes to an MIAA school or will he end up going somewhere on scholarship?

Steven Bell has him ranked as the #1 power forward Sr. in the state.  I doubt he'll see an MIAA floor unless his MAC or low D1 school schedules one.  The only thing working against him is playing against  Class C and D competition.  That might hold him down to the GLIAC.

http://www.bankhoops.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5517

Just looking at the site above may give some clue as to "problem" recruiting.  What struck me immediately is very few players from traditional h.s. powers on the west side of the state.  Practically none are listed from the various Christian h.s.  Looking at the rosters of the various WHAC schools gives a further clue.  Some players (that might) have historically gone to an MIAA school are now found on NAIA rosters.  Trinity Christian had several players from MI h.s. ranks.  This is not new.  Vandepol in 99 went to CU.  He was one of the 3 amigos with Veenstra, and Foltice
All that being said Hope still had the talent to beat AQ, and both Hope and Calvin beat CU, and K beat Davenport so we are still very competitve.   

[sac]

The D1 stealing kids who normally wouldn't be D1 theory is very true.  I mean look at Michigan, they have D2 talent all over the floor. 

The GLIAC must be furious. 

[oldknight]

Can anyone explain to me what a 'flex-offense' is? I've been told Calvin runs a flex-offense. Is it a common type of offense? What other types of offenses are there? Does a flex offense involve the team waiting to see if Caleb's going to shoot it, and if not, being 'flexible' and trying something else? Although I'm not really being serious with this last comment, I'm not being entirely sarcastic either?

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Smiley

Watch Maryland. They run the flex. I always found it an incredibly simple offense that  was easy to defend.  It amazes me to see college level teams run this offense.   Here's what Coach Fran has to say:

http://espn.go.com/ncb/2003/0218/1510637.html

Excellent find Stinger. I've honestly never been that enamored with the details of "X's" and "O's" nor been that impressed with their importance to a team's success. Quite frankly, I think that side of coaching is overrated. Offensive sets aren't that complex to teach or learn. This stuff isn't rocket science. I have always believed that as long as your players are properly executing the patterns a coach diagrams, a coach's diagrams will work for any team. The only exceptions occur when 1) your personnel is not properly matched to the style of play laid out by the patterns, or 2) when the players are seriously overmatched by an opponents talent. To me, it is far more important (and interesting) to watch player's cuts and timing, the proper setting and use of screens, and--last but not least--an offensive team's recognition of a defensive team's overplays. This last factor is critical because no matter how good your system or how well you run it, any good defensive team will find ways to adjust when an offense starts taking advantage of mismatches. An offense simply must recognize these adjustments "on the fly" and take advantage of a defense's propensity to overplay the mismatches. This is the stuff that makes for championship teams no matter what the level of competition. It's what made Calvin's Final Four teams of 2000 and 2005 so good. Let me add that Smokin Joe's best teams had this recognition factor as well.  The technical side of "X's" and "O's" have always been boring to me--I believe the "feel" of the game more interesting and important.

[oldknight]

The D1 stealing kids who normally wouldn't be D1 theory is very true.  I mean look at Michigan, they have D2 talent all over the floor. 

The GLIAC must be furious. 

Outstanding. I'm disappointed that I couldn't have thought of that comment myself.

[Dutch_Man]

I dont know if any of you posters saw the article in the Holland Sentinel about Hope basketball and shooting more 3's. After reading it I really wanted to e-mail Lee Lamberts and tell him that he wrote a dumb article haha. If any of you holland sentinel subscribers are able to post it in here that would be great haha so you can see where I am coming from.  Its all about some guy telling the sports editor about how hope would win more games if they shot more 3's and that 2 point shots are worthless. Oh and they went on to say that they were not impressed with hopes win over AQ. I guess it wasnt Hope's best game but they sure played well. Anyways this is just a place where I can come vent about it, so sorry if any of you are the guy that is e-mailing Lee Lamberts 

[realist]

DM:  Nothing to be sorry about.  Sadly Mr. Lamberts is not the first or only writer (or media person) that really didn't understand the subject matter.
If AQ isn't good at 10-1 with a national ranking this person sure has high standards.  Conspiracy theory alert.    It might just have been one of Calvin's planted b-ball experts that Lee was using.
Personally I would have just told Lee that Hope doesn't need to shoot any more 3's they just need to make a higher percentage of the ones they do shoot.  The same darn thing applies to Calvin.

[sac]

Hope v Elmhurst tommorrow is the matchup of two ranked teams, but this Roanoke squad looks pretty good on paper, a good week for them would vault them into the top 25 for sure.

Lets start by pointing out this will be Roanoke's first game since December 2.  Sixteen days ago, thats a long layoff.  It was a 15 point loss to Randolph-Macon and the most points they've given up this season, 73.

Their 5 games
ROA 73 York(4-3) 50
ROA 75 Shenandoah(9-2) 71
ROA 73 Ferrum(4-4) 56
ROA 68 Va. Wesleyan(5-2) 67
Randolph-Macon(5-2) 73 ROA 58

Interesting to note, they beat VW when the Marlins were ranked #5, they beat Shenandoah who just knocked off #6 Guilford last night.  I'm going to assume by the low scores the Maroons like to play a little defense.

Starting 5
G AJ Dowell 6-0 Sr
G Keith Carter 6-0 Sr
G Zach Milton 6-2 Jr
F Josh LaPorte 6-6 Sr.
C Curtis Peery 6-6 Jr.

Ben Schraeder 6-0 Sr.
Melvin Felix 5-11 Fr.
Jeff Leiter 6-0 Sr.
Aaron Tyson 6-4 Jr.
Ty Sigmon 6-7 Sr.
Drew Gaeng 5-9 Sr.

Really a pretty small team, with just 3 guys 6-6 and over, Hope looks to have the height advantage at all but one position, which would be even.  Peery, LaPorte and Dowell lead them in scoreing at 12.6, 10.4, 11.2........looks like they spread the scoring around 6 guys.

Nothing really stands out stats wise, they outrebound opponents by 4, avg allowing just 63 points on the season.  However they are shooting just 27.4% from 3.  But with just 5 games under the belt, its tough to make a solid judgement on any team.

[NW Hope Fan]

I dont know if any of you posters saw the article in the Holland Sentinel about Hope basketball and shooting more 3's. After reading it I really wanted to e-mail Lee Lamberts and tell him that he wrote a dumb article haha. If any of you holland sentinel subscribers are able to post it in here that would be great haha so you can see where I am coming from.  Its all about some guy telling the sports editor about how hope would win more games if they shot more 3's and that 2 point shots are worthless. Oh and they went on to say that they were not impressed with hopes win over AQ. I guess it wasnt Hope's best game but they sure played well. Anyways this is just a place where I can come vent about it, so sorry if any of you are the guy that is e-mailing Lee Lamberts 

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/121807/localsports_20071218038.shtml

[realist]

NWH:  Thanks for posting the link.  Very funny article.  The guy I want is the 6'9"'  255 lb Ruch shooting 80% down inside.   He could be trouble for Hope.
I still think Lee's contact may be a closet Calvin fan who may soon post here as Calvin Convert

[NW Hope Fan]

Funny and maybe irresponsible article... But statistically the guy may have a point. The e-mailer may be a Grinnell fan...

Your point was dead on, and the crux of this game... make a higher percentage of what you shoot and it should work out in your favor. 

[Titan Q]

The guy I want is the 6'9"'  255 lb Ruchs shooting 80% down inside.   He could be trouble for Hope.

#42 in blue...

http://www.iwuhoops.com/zruch.jpg

Brent Ruch is a beast.  I think he may be the best low post player in Division III behind 6-10 Ben Strong of Guilford...I'd take him over Troy Ruths of Wash U.

[HopeConvert]

NWH:  Thanks for posting the link.  Very funny article.  The guy I want is the 6'9"'  255 lb Ruchs shooting 80% down inside.   He could be trouble for Hope.
I still think Lee's contact may be a closet Calvin fan who may soon post here as Calvin Convert

I fear Calvin Convert may be an oxymoron. You can't really convert to Calvinism - you simply acknowledge your election.

"'We're starting five guys who can all shoot the 3. We're comfortable with any one of them shooting a 3 at any time,' Van Wieren said. 'We're comfortable with all of our guys shooting 3s.'" I wonder who is all included in "we." Me - not so much.

And this:

"Fans can debate what the best scoring method for Hope is, but one thing is certain: If the FlyingDutchmen shoot well, they're going to win."

reminds me of that canonical line from the classic Plan Nine From Outer Space": "One thing is sure, Inspector Clay is dead! Murdered! And somebody's responsible."

[RO_24]

Listening to the Beavers and Kalamazoo tonight.  Beavers come in winning 4 of 5, but need to quit turning the ball over...They will go 3-4 possessions in a row where they will have 3-4 TO's in a row, it is frusterating at times...

I don't know much about Kalamazoo besides they are amuch better team than their record states. 

Any insight on them as a whole?

Thanks

[northb]

The D1 stealing kids who normally wouldn't be D1 theory is very true.  I mean look at Michigan, they have D2 talent all over the floor. 

The GLIAC must be furious. 

A few years ago DI Canisius and EMU were stooping to DIII talent.  Or was it the other way around?   




Now where did I put that dead horse-beating stick?