MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

It should also be noted that DeHaan has played in only four games and one of those was Saturday when he hit an unbelievable 6 for 6 from 3-point range. I'm thinking he won't get those kinds of open looks against DVS and Wolfe.

I was actually just going to ask if anyone knew why Ryan Dehaan didn't play the first 9 games of the season.  I don't remember seeing him on the bench vs Oberlin, and the only player in street clothes was Machuta.

Also, I think you'll be surprised at how many open shots Alma is able to create.  I actually liked parts of their offensive sets, and a lot of what they try to do.  Terry Smith is a pretty good x's and o's guy, even if he subs 150 times a game.

According to the article in the Sentinel today, Ryan Dehaan missed the pre-league schedule due to injuries.

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/stories/012308/localsports_20080123051.shtml

Just to correct a small error in the article, Hope's win streak over Alma is 25 games, not 23.

[ScotsFan]

Reasons to think Hope is more talented:

1.  Overall record.
2.  MIAA record.
3.  Record against common opponents.
4.  Perusal of the MIAA stats page:
    a.  Hope leads 9 (2nd in 5) team categories out of 19 while Calvin leads 2 (2nd in 4);
    b.  Adding their positions in each team category gives Hope a total of 55 and Calvin a total of 59;
    c.  7 Hope players appear a combined 36 times in the indiv. stats--7 Calvin players appear 32 times;
    d.  The 3 Hope FG% leaders all rank higher than the 3 Calvin FG% leaders;
    e.  All of Hope's starters appear in the top 15 in the league in FT%--3 of Calvin's starters appear;
    f.  Hope averages 13 steals per game--Calvin averages 7.5;
    g.  Hope's turnover margin is +6.07--Calvin's is +1.64
5.  Ability to limit opponents' big men's stats, despite Hope giving up the size advantage in the post.
6.  Hope has no one over 26.6 min/game--Calvin has 3
7.  Hope's scoring is maintained better when their bench is in than Calvin's
(etc.)

Reasons to believe that any of that will matter come Saturday at 2pm:

(none)

Good point  Erm.  Just look at the Wooster-Wittenberg game last weekend and see if you can find any similarities...

I would imagine one could have made a list about Wooster similar to the one you made regarding Hope and it all amounted to a loss by the more talented Wooster team to the hungrier less talented Wittenberg team. 

[gohope]

Reasons to think Hope is more talented:

1.  Overall record.
2.  MIAA record.
3.  Record against common opponents.
4.  Perusal of the MIAA stats page:
    a.  Hope leads 9 (2nd in 5) team categories out of 19 while Calvin leads 2 (2nd in 4);
    b.  Adding their positions in each team category gives Hope a total of 55 and Calvin a total of 59;
    c.  7 Hope players appear a combined 36 times in the indiv. stats--7 Calvin players appear 32 times;
    d.  The 3 Hope FG% leaders all rank higher than the 3 Calvin FG% leaders;
    e.  All of Hope's starters appear in the top 15 in the league in FT%--3 of Calvin's starters appear;
    f.  Hope averages 13 steals per game--Calvin averages 7.5;
    g.  Hope's turnover margin is +6.07--Calvin's is +1.64
5.  Ability to limit opponents' big men's stats, despite Hope giving up the size advantage in the post.
6.  Hope has no one over 26.6 min/game--Calvin has 3
7.  Hope's scoring is maintained better when their bench is in than Calvin's
(etc.)

Reasons to believe that any of that will matter come Saturday at 2pm:

(none)

Good point  Erm.  Just look at the Wooster-Wittenberg game last weekend and see if you can find any similarities...

I would imagine one could have made a list about Wooster similar to the one you made regarding Hope and it all amounted to a loss by the more talented Wooster team to the hungrier less talented Wittenberg team. 

Good points everyone.

And I think that Scotsfan's comments can easily sum up the Hope vs. Calvin rivalry. In regards to the outcome, and in most cases, the team that was hungrier was most often the Victor.

BUT... one must not overlook the games this evening!!! 

This fan is off to San Antonio for a few days, so cheering on the Blue and Orange will have to be through internet and cell phone calls!  Go Hope!

[SKOT]

This fan is off to San Antonio for a few days, so cheering on the Blue and Orange will have to be through internet and cell phone calls!  Go Hope!

Weaksauce....There is a satellite party in Austin, Tx just 80 miles down the road.  That's only like a 25 minute drive w/ Texas speed limits! 

[calvin_grad]

Weaksauce....There is a satellite party in Austin, Tx just 80 miles down the road.  That's only like a 25 minute drive w/ Texas speed limits! 

You've obviously never driven from Austin to San Antonio!! 

When I lived in Austin, I had a friend who had Spurs season tickets.  One weekend, when going to a game Friday and another on Saturday, he got 4 tickets, one for each time through the town of Selma, which is a bit north of SA.  All of the tickets were for going between 75-80 in a 70 mph zone.  My friend didn't learn very quickly.   

Story was that 95% of Selma's revenue came from speeding tickets along I-35.

Note to sac if ever driving along I-35 in Texas....

[sac]

Not sure what its like north of here, but its been snowing most of the last 2 hours here in Lansing..........you know that fluffy stuff perfect for adding a bit of icy glaze to the highway you can't tell is there untill you use your brakes.  Yeah that kind.

So take it easy getting to your games tonight.

[hope1]

yes it is still snowing here in holland pretty goood most of the day

[sac]

Apparently I'm in a freak band of snow here in Lansing, so I'm off to Alma.  Everyone be safe and enjoy the games.

links to broadcasts, livestats and the popular composite scoreboards page
www.miaa.org

[northb]

links to broadcasts, livestats and the popular composite scoreboards page
www.miaa.org

Interesting when I looked there, the only scoreboard that still has the previous game is Alma's.  They must want to savor the victory....

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Half time
47 Calvin - 42 Kalamazoo
47 Hope - 31 Alma

As a Hope fan I am really rooting for Calvin tonight. I'd be terrified of playing a Calvin team that would have lost two in a row.

[scottiedawg]

There are many things you can wish for (Calvin win or loss right before facing Hope, perhaps KZOO, who is outrebounding Calvin at the moment will physically wear Calvin down before Saturday).  But, IMHO, this rivalry is so large and intense, that almost nothing leading up to it matters.  Calvin could be 1-12 and you'd still have to give them a 50-50 chance, because of home court advantage and the rivalry.  Regardless of talent levels, records, or whatever happens tonight, both Hope and Calvin bring the same incredibly high level of energy, intensity, and school pride that has made this rivalry awesome and nationally recognized.  (and  I've only been around for three years of this!)

[ChicagoHopeNut]

3 minutes into the 2nd half and no sight of Sharples. Does anyone know if there is a reason for that? He averages over 9 minutes a game.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

3 minutes into the 2nd half and no sight of Sharples. Does anyone know if there is a reason for that? He averages over 9 minutes a game.

And of course he enters the game about 2 minutes after I asked. Well at least that means its not an injury.

[gohope]

3 minutes into the 2nd half and no sight of Sharples. Does anyone know if there is a reason for that? He averages over 9 minutes a game.

And of course he enters the game about 2 minutes after I asked. Well at least that means its not an injury.

Why didn't you ask your question earlier in the game???   

[scottiedawg]

Dunks by Doug Sharples and Dan Holt!!