MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Erm Schmigget]

Over the years we've all had our share of bad officiating go against our favorite teams...and in their favor.  In some cases the games were not so important, and in others they were post-season tournament games.  I'm not going to make excuses for bad reffing (just sit near me at any game and I'll be sure to prove that myself), but it is an unfortunate part of the game.  Always has been, always will be.

What players and coaches do about it will make just as much difference in the game's outcome as the reffing itself.  Should KVS have called the refs' attention to Albion's over-aggressiveness earlier?  I wasn't there, maybe he did, to no avail.  Should Calvin's players have been able to adapt to the change in Albion's play?  Again, I can't speak to that with any authority.  What's done is done and it can't be changed now.

What I wonder is, how are the refs held accountable for bad calls made in games they've completed?  Do teams have some way to file complaints with video evidence to support their opinions?  I know there is a ref supervisor, and have seen him taking notes at games.  It just seems to me that some of the refs we like to call out for their poor performance have been working in the MIAA long enough to have plenty of opportunities to learn from their mistakes.

[oldknight]

 Should Calvin's players have been able to adapt to the change in Albion's play?  

Well stated and an absolutely correct observation by someone not at the game. A team's ability to deal with in-game frustration (much of which is related to officiating) and simply focus on what it can control--its own play--is an overlooked quality important to the success of any basketball team.  There is no question that Calvin's team (and its coach) simply were flabbergasted that they were not getting calls they expected to be made and this affected their play. This is where mental toughness comes into play and is a quality Calvin's 2005 Final Four team seemed to have.

[northb]

 Should Calvin's players have been able to adapt to the change in Albion's play?  

Well stated and an absolutely correct observation by someone not at the game. A team's ability to deal with in-game frustration (much of which is related to officiating) and simply focus on what it can control--its own play--is an overlooked quality important to the success of any basketball team.  There is no question that Calvin's team (and its coach) simply were flabbergasted that they were not getting calls they expected to be made and this affected their play. This is where mental toughness comes into play and is a quality Calvin's 2005 Final Four team seemed to have.

I agree with this theme.  The coach and team need to adjust to how whatever crew they draw is calling the game.  And against Albion, if the refs are letting alot go, what makes you think Albion isn't going to adjust to that and take advantage of it?  They did and it won them the game.

My son plays soccer.  I've mentioned to him that I have no problem with him getting a (rare) yellow card, because it tells me that he is being aggressive and testing the boundaries of what a ref will call.  Perhaps KVS was trying to get to that point with the ref, and believed it would motivate his team.  Or maybe he did not think he would get the technical and the resulting problems it presented for his team--then it is his mistake. 

Regardless of the T call, the Knights have to be ready to adjust their physical presence up or down in such an important game. 

An uphill climb is now tougher.  What will February (and h*pefully March) bring?   

[realist]

Excellent post OK.  We have seen Albion come to the fieldhouse before with an aggressive, physical game.  Mike Turner coaches many games just to be close at the end, and has won games doing it.  Some prior Calvin teams have been able to adjust more quickly to the way a game is being called.  I expect Hope to come in Sat., and play a very physical game.  Not  expecting Kalamazoo to play aggressive tomorrow night will probably yield the same results as last Sat.
For a team that is struggling to get rebounds I still question the wisdom of having  taller players (with rebounding skills) sitting while shorter players (less productive  rebounders are on the floor.  Until KVS puts players on the floor that can, and will dominate the boards Calvin will struggle.  

[hope_hoops1]

As a long time viewer and first time poster, I decided that this Rivalry week would be a good time to enter the mix.  Hello to all and please be kind as I try to figure out all the ins-and-outs of this site. 

In regards to the Calvin-Albion from Saturday...  This type of play isn't that strange for an Albion team.  From what I recall they have had very physical teams the last few years and always seem to push the limits on defense a little bit with physicality.  Calvin will have to learn to respond better to this type of play or they could be in for a long day on Saturday.  The key for Hope this week (basically Saturday as the Alma game shouldn't be close) is DVS and Klein.  Derek did fairly well on Veldhouse last year and if he can force some turnovers and missed shots out of Veldhouse, they should do well.  With Griffin possibly still suffering from an ankle injury, Veldhouse is definitely the key offensive player for the Knights and is more than capable of carrying the team to a win.  Klein's ability to defend the post and also help out the other defenders with his quickness and length makes up for a lot of miscues on the defensive end.  It also helps that he can stretch the defense on the offensive end as well, but Hope will need him to come through with some tough inside baskets in this one.  Hopefully I'll be at the game with good enough seats to catch some of the action.  Even though it seems like Hope is the favorite, you just never know with this game.  Should be another classic.

[veragrace]

Over the years we've all had our share of bad officiating go against our favorite teams...and in their favor.  In some cases the games were not so important, and in others they were post-season tournament games.  I'm not going to make excuses for bad reffing (just sit near me at any game and I'll be sure to prove that myself), but it is an unfortunate part of the game.  Always has been, always will be.

What players and coaches do about it will make just as much difference in the game's outcome as the reffing itself.  Should KVS have called the refs' attention to Albion's over-aggressiveness earlier?  I wasn't there, maybe he did, to no avail.  Should Calvin's players have been able to adapt to the change in Albion's play?  Again, I can't speak to that with any authority.  What's done is done and it can't be changed now.

What I wonder is, how are the refs held accountable for bad calls made in games they've completed?  Do teams have some way to file complaints with video evidence to support their opinions?  I know there is a ref supervisor, and have seen him taking notes at games.  It just seems to me that some of the refs we like to call out for their poor performance have been working in the MIAA long enough to have plenty of opportunities to learn from their mistakes.

I posed this question to the highschool official that i work with.  He cannot speak to the MIAA but can reference the GLIAC and MAC conferences.  According to him, all games are videotaped and sent to the supervisor of officials.  He reviews all the game tapes and there are weekly meetings that the officials attend to discuss previous games.  If an official is found to be making consistently poor calls, then he will more than likely be deemed "not ready" for that level of play.

[realist]

Welcome hh1:  Can't disagree to much with what you wrote your first time.  If you have been lurking here for awhile you know some folks have tender spots, and some don't.   

Time for the dead horse on the "intentional" foul calls.  We've discussed this several times before this season, and each time we agree to disagree on whether or not it is necessary. 

[Erm Schmigget]

Welcome hh1!

You raise a couple of key points for Hope going into Saturday's edition of The Rivalry.  DVS will need to be on his toes on defense, especially with Caleb's quick draw shooting.  And Klein will be key on both ends for rebounding.  It will be interesting to see how Hope will take advantage of his athleticism and good outside shooting.  Will they play him on the wing on offense more often, move him inside and out alot switching him up with Marcus, etc...  I've been really enjoying how he has stepped up his game this year and is able to handle long shifts on the court.

But I'm reluctant to look past Alma.  Hope has tripped over Alma on the way to the Final Four, after all, as someone so kindly pointed out in an earlier post.  Yes, they should win Wednesday night, but they still have to get the job done.  I'm sure the coaches (aaaaalllllllllllll of them) will do what they have to to keep the team focused on the most important game of any season: the next one.

[flash96]

Wait, let me get this straight, there has been questionable officiating in the MIAA?  When did this start to happen?  I thought we had the most qualified officials in all of college basketball.  You all must be pulling my leg.  Sometimes it seems if the home team gets some questionabl

[flash96]

Let me finish my previous post... It seems as if the hometeam gets some questionable calls their way.  I'm not just saying at Hope gets the calls, but at Albion, Olivet, Calvin, etc.

[Erm Schmigget]

Is it just my computer, or is this site trying on new outfits?

[Stinger]

Stinger:  that call is a point of emphasis for officials this year.  I think the fault lies in the new definition of intentional foul, not in the officials.  We're effectively killing the messenger by getting angry with the refs on this one.

I think that it's a ridiculous "point of emphasis" if it's a defender getting faked and landing on the offensive player. 

Let me finish my previous post... It seems as if the hometeam gets some questionable calls their way.  I'm not just saying at Hope gets the calls, but at Albion, Olivet, Calvin, etc.

Or, of course, for whoever K plays, home or away.

[sac]

Awesome! I love a good officiating conspiracy theory.

[Pat Coleman]

Is it just my computer, or is this site trying on new outfits?

Yep, tried a couple alternate colors before getting here.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Is it just my computer, or is this site trying on new outfits?

Yep, tried a couple alternate colors before getting here.

Don't know if you'll care, but I say "thumbs down".  I find it very jarring and more difficult to read the menu.  (On the other hand, I suppose I'd get used to it.)