MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Stinger]

Whew. Slow weekend in the MIAA.

Game of the weekend: Kzoo v Olivet

This one will be a shoot out. The Hornets just aren't playing much defense these days. It's all about outscoring their opponents right now. Kellogg is putting together a solid Sr. season.   It will be a battle between Kellogg and McClaren.

This should be a fun one to watch. I would bet the game would be in the 80's.

Beat Olivet!

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Whew. Slow weekend in the MIAA.

Game of the weekend: Kzoo v Olivet

This one will be a shoot out. The Hornets just aren't playing much defense these days. It's all about outscoring their opponents right now. Kellogg is putting together a solid Sr. season.   It will be a battle between Kellogg and McClaren.

This should be a fun one to watch. I would bet the game would be in the 80's.

Beat Olivet!

Stinger - I agree that the Kzoo / Olivet game could be a real shootout - in fact Tri-State / Albion could be areally good game as well.

[GoKnights68]

Here's my keys for a Knight victory tomorrow:

-Shut down DVS...Over the years, his 3-pointers are often daggers to the other team.  Don't let him get hot.  Play in-your-face defense on him.

-Give Mantel help down low...whether replacing him off the bench or playing power forward.  Can't have 4 men standing around the the perimeter with Mantel all by himself down low.  Katt, Zoerhoff, and Englsma need to have solid games.

-Don't give Reimink open looks...He's dangerous from the perimeter

-Get off to a hot start...Hope is too good of a team to play comeback all game

-Move without the ball...Drive to the basket and look to dish it off to an open man!  No turnovers Dustin or Tyler, please!



Guys like Smith, Veldhouse, and Zoerhoff have had their season ended in the NCAA tourney by Hope the last 2 years which has had to be a killer.  Calvin is going to be focused.  I have a good feeling Mantel an Veldhouse will have big games.  Should be another close one.  I'm planning on getting there at 11 AM.  H*pe I can sleep tonight!

[OC_SID]

Whew. Slow weekend in the MIAA.

Game of the weekend: Kzoo v Olivet

This one will be a shoot out. The Hornets just aren't playing much defense these days. It's all about outscoring their opponents right now. Kellogg is putting together a solid Sr. season.   It will be a battle between Kellogg and McClaren.

This should be a fun one to watch. I would bet the game would be in the 80's.

Beat Olivet!

Stinger,

Are you coming over to Olivet for the game? Oh, it is McClary and remember there are two McClary's on the team. 

[HopeConvert]

These are what I believe will be the keys to THE GAME:

1. Last year, in both their victories, the Knights got off to a big lead early. If they do that tomorrow, it will do wonders for their confidence and get the crowd into the game. Hope must keep the game close early.
2. How close will the refs call Hope's physical play? If MVH and Reimink get into foul trouble early, that could be trouble.
3. Will Hope double-team out top? Will that work against Veldhouse? (My guess is no.)
4. How is Griffin's ankle? He killed Hope last year.
5. If Mantel gets to them early (as in the NCAA game last year), will Hope go to a zone to give Klein help? How will Veltema shoot if they do? Will a zone give Calvin too many offensive boards?
6. I don't the DVS can stay in front of Veldhouse, so how will Hope rotate the defense, and will Calvin's ball movement be good enough to find the open guy?
7. Will Wolfe come up big? Hope might need him to.
8. And, of course, how will Hope's freshmen respond? It might be to their advantage that the Fieldhouse is missing 2000 seats.

Most importantly, will I find a seat at the satellite party, or will I have to sit on the floor? I'm told I'll have to get there at least an hour-and-a-half early, and may have to consume a refreshing beverage or two of my choice before the game.

[KnightSlappy]

Calvin needs to play the style of Defense that they played last year in the two games at "The Dick" tomorrow.  Usually Calvin's defense plays on one half of the court and has trouble when the opposing team swings the ball around the perimeter to find an open man (see: Albion beating Calvin last weekend).  Last year Calvin didn't double down low and stuck to their man and Hope wasn't able to get many open looks.

Calvin can't get stagnant or frustrated on the offensive end.  Hope plays (from what I've seen).  A high energy  defense.  If Calvin settles for too many quick threes the Dutchmen could build a nice lead.  On offense, Calvin needs to get the ball to Big John in the LOW post just about every time down the floor. I want to see the John Mantel that came to Aurora last spring.  If Hope doubles down John can kick it back out to any of the shooters (Derek, Dustin, Matt, or Caleb).  And for goodness sakes, set some picks!

If Caleb can get into his element, look out Hope fans.  When Caleb isn't forcing shots, he is a dominant player.  He has had a couple of good games in a row now and that bodes well for the Knights.  Side note to Hope fans: Veldhouse is a much better player than he was last year.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Most importantly, will I find a seat at the satellite party, or will I have to sit on the floor? I'm told I'll have to get there at least an hour-and-a-half early, and may have to consume a refreshing beverage or two of my choice before the game.

Actually, I doubt you need to get there that early to get a seat. This year Hope and Calvin alum get the entire Bailey's Pub! In year's past we have taken up 2/3rds so they gave it all to us, I imagine that will save us from putting anyone on the floor. However, the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing beverage or two (or three) prior to the game as well as good company makes coming early worthwhile.

[AndersDY]

I can't believe it's come to this, but I never did find somebody to use up my spare ticket for tomorrow. I have an extra ticket in with the Hope faculty that I cannot find anyone to use. I sent messages to a few Hope fans already, but if there are any of you I missed that would like to buy up a single ticket for tomorrow afternoon, send me a private message through here. I'll check it later, so may have to get back to you in the morning.

[sac]

I think the key is makeing sure the right people bring the right amount of gum and suckers and use them at the appropriate moments.

.....and have backups just in case of OT's.   ie. Aquinas.

[wiz]

Love the idea of a Hope / Calvin basketball alumni game.  While you're at it, get the women involved and do a double header.  I'm betting you could fill the DeVos quite easily (with a little advertising and the right charity).

Love the idea too!  I'd definitely pay to watch it.  It'd be amazing!  With talent like Holstege, Meulenberg, VanHekken, Merrit, the Carlson bros, Cramer, Veenstra, Winkle, Krosschell, Karsten, Prins, Aultman, just to name a couple options, depending on far to go back.  PRICELESS to watch that!!

Good news!  An agreement has already be drawn up and approved in the master plan to have the players from Calvin's national championship teams play the players from Hope's national championship team.  The Knights are just waiting for the Dutchmen to field a team and then we'll be good to go.

[sac]

Love the idea of a Hope / Calvin basketball alumni game.  While you're at it, get the women involved and do a double header.  I'm betting you could fill the DeVos quite easily (with a little advertising and the right charity).

Love the idea too!  I'd definitely pay to watch it.  It'd be amazing!  With talent like Holstege, Meulenberg, VanHekken, Merrit, the Carlson bros, Cramer, Veenstra, Winkle, Krosschell, Karsten, Prins, Aultman, just to name a couple options, depending on far to go back.  PRICELESS to watch that!!

Good news!  An agreement has already be drawn up and approved in the master plan to have the players from Calvin's national championship teams play the players from Hope's national championship team.  The Knights are just waiting for the Dutchmen to field a team and then we'll be good to go.

I have it from a good source Calvin turned down a chance to play the Hope women's championship teams for fear they'd be embarassed by a bunch of girls.  Would have been nice to see Bria Ebels in uniform again.


Edit--fixed my post, in case the grammar police are watching.

[Civic Minded]

I think the key is makeing sure the right people bring the right amount of gum and suckers and use them at the appropriate moments.

.....and have backups just in case of OT's.   ie. Aquinas.

Ah dang it!  Forgot to stop for supplies tonight.     Text me at about 10am, would ya?

[Hopester]

Rochester and Brandeis both lose.

Chance for Hope to really move up in the rankings this week.

Not that I am looking past THE GAME.... but a win would be even more rewarding... if thats even possible.

Good luck to both teams, drive safely, and enjoy the game because it isn't coming 5 times this year.

[GoVols]

How about, instead of predicting just a winner and a final score, we get some comments about which one player for each team will be the key between winning and losing. I know, matchups and factors have been discussed ad nauseum, but let's just pick out ONE guy from each team that will be the difference between the Flying Dutchmen being grounded or the Knights disarmed.

[GoKnights68]

How about, instead of predicting just a winner and a final score, we get some comments about which one player for each team will be the key between winning and losing. I know, matchups and factors have been discussed ad nauseum, but let's just pick out ONE guy from each team that will be the difference between the Flying Dutchmen being grounded or the Knights disarmed.

Hope-  DVS

Calvin-   Griffin