MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[pointlem]

Ten seconds left, Calvin is behind by 3 but Caleb Veldhouse is bringing the ball up court. 

Deja vu time.  How many times has Hope been here before and . . . flashbacks going through my mind . . . gotten Winkeled, Griffened, or Veldhoused with last second 3's? 

But then DVS plays perfect defense and Caleb is forced to take an off-balance shot.

Then, somehow, Caleb comes up with the ball and from the corner with guys flying at him launches a fall away 3 . . . the identical desparation shot (flashback time again) made by Aquinas earlier this season to force overtime.

But today, for a seeming change (okay I'm not forgetting the disputed "flop" finish), destiny smiled on Hope College, and the several hundred Hope fans at DeVos fieldhouse join their counterparts around the country in erupting.

A terrific game---a label I've used when Hope has lost such games---and a tough one to lose for Calvin's 3 guards after playing so very well (46 points between them).  Kudos to all on both teams.  What a great rivalry

[oldknight]

In an exciting game at the Fieldhouse, Hope seized control of the MIAA race, riding a monster performance by Marcus VanderHeide who had 30 points, 13 boards and several assists out of the post. Calvin's inability to stop Marcus led to more open looks than Hope might otherwise have had and Hopes outstanding shooting (55% for the game and 17 of 28 in the second half) offset their miserable free throw shooting (3 of 11). Despite VanderHeide's heroics this was a game the Knights should have won but they didn't execute down the stretch. As Doug Wentworth keenly observed "they just have to get tougher." KVS is understandably disappointed in the result and the progress this team has shown. He mentioned after the game that this team has better individual talent than any Calvin squad in the last several years but has not yet gotten over the hump and performed the way it needs to. I suspect practice will be tougher on these guys this week.

It was interesting to see that none of the players who have not played in this rivalry game--on either team--played  very well. KVS went back to Katt after the break and Tim played almost the entire second half. He did a creditable job on Marcus but Wolfe hit the big shots Hope needed in order to get back in the game. I wouldn't be too surprised if Katt moves back into the starting lineup. He offers some of that hardnosed toughness KVS covets. Most of Calvin's scoring came from their three guard lineup but Mantel did a good job in the post with 14 thereby limiting the effectiveness of Hope's perimeter defense, something Hope does do well. Zoerhof played an excellent game and gave the Knights a real lift off the bench. In fact, Calvin's reserves clearly outplayed Hope's. Come to think of it, Tyler will play his way into a starting spot if he continues with the consistent play he showed today.

[oldknight]

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts about why Josh Englesma played so little.

It was interesting to see that none of the players who have not played in this rivalry game--on either team--played  very well.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Wow! What an intense game.
Only a few thoughts for now.

1) What a great atmosphere at the DC satellite party! A lot of fun but really I was surprised that there were far fewer Calvin alum this year than in years past.

2) MVH was awesome! I mean it was just a pleasure to watch him take over the first half and keep Hope in the game.

3) At the end of the game they showed Wolfe had 26 and I thought to myself, "NO WAY!" While it was obvious to me and others in DC that MVH was a beast I don't think anyone I was with realized the incredible game Wolfe wasa building to. Not to say I thought he played poorly at any point I just didn't realize the contribution he made on the scoreboard.

4) What an intense game and another year off my life thanks to the Rivalry and the stress it creates.

[ziggy]

Cogratulations Hope.  Though I wish Calvin could have pulled it off, it was definately a great game.

Calvin has to be disappointed to take the L, on the otherhand, Hope has to be relieved to come out with a W.  Having two players each outscore the rest of your team is not a recipe for future success.  Calvin proved to be the deeper team but it didn't matter today.

Could someone please explain to me why all the hype about DVS?  I have seen him play a few times now and I am not impressed, granted I've only see him play against Calvin.  Also what's with the trash talking after he finally makes his first bucket of the game in the second period?

He plays on emotion.  For the most part that emotion got the best of him but once he got a little going for himself he lets you know about it.  Like father, Like Son...

MVH was incredible today, I wish Calvin's big guys would play that aggressively.

You're right about that, but I think Hope fans would like to see that out of Marcus on a consistent basis.  He certainly showed what he is capable of, but today was the exception rather than the norm.

[GoKnights68]

A very frustrating day to be a Knight fan.  In the first half, way too many easy lay-ups allowed by the Knights.  When Calvin clamped down on the post better in the second half(nice job by Katt), they allowed Hope to get wide-open 3-pointers, including back to back ones to tie it up at 72-72.  The last 5 minutes, Calvin's offense kind of fell apart.  Too many forced shots.  I think we expected Griffin and Veldhouse to make some big baskets in the last 5 minutes, but that didn't happen.  And MHV.....I'm sure everyone will be commenting on his performance today, so I'm not going to even bother.

Almost a replica ending to last years' Calvin-Hope Saturday game at the field house.

Most likely the last Calvin-Hope game played in that gym.  Tough loss.
'

[GoKnights68]

While the final result breaks my heart and and makes me want to forget the game and move on, I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts about why Josh Englesma played so little.

Defense.

[realist]

Great win for Hope, and tough loss for Calvin.  The Knights did many of the things they needed to do, but without much help for Mantel inside ( offensively).  MVH had the game I was afraid we were going to see from him.  The guy just gets up for Calvin.  Looking at the stats.  Hope 3 of 11 at the line, and only Klien and MVH even took fts.  Almost all the stats are balanced in terms of to.s, and fouls etc. 
Except for the final score I don't know how much better the game could be.     

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Having two players each outscore the rest of your team is not a recipe for future success.  Calvin proved to be the deeper team but it didn't matter today.

I guess this may be a matter of interpretation but I don't think the fact Wolfe and MVH happened to have monster games while Calvin's scoring was more balanced proved Calvin is the deeper team. Realistically, no one game is ever going to prove one team is deeper than another team. Today, Calvin's scoring was more balanced but Hope relied on Wolfe on MVH. If a team has a player or two or three that are hot and the other team can't stop them I don't think relying on that player shows a lack of depth. I think teams tend to rely on the hot hand.

3-11 from FTs. YIKES! As mentioned above Hope really was lucky to escape with a win today.

[ziggy]

Having two players each outscore the rest of your team is not a recipe for future success.  Calvin proved to be the deeper team but it didn't matter today.

I guess this may be a matter of interpretation but I don't think the fact Wolfe and MVH happened to have monster games while Calvin's scoring was more balanced proved Calvin is the deeper team. Realistically, no one game is ever going to prove one team is deeper than another team. Today, Calvin's scoring was more balanced but Hope relied on Wolfe on MVH. If a team has a player or two or three that are hot and the other team can't stop them I don't think relying on that player shows a lack of depth. I think teams tend to rely on the hot hand.

Look at the minutes played; deep teams don't play all five starters 31+ minutes, 4 of 5 35+ minutes.  Reimink did very little (I realize he had 7 assists) but Glenn didn't turn to his bench to find someone that could bring a bit more today.  The point isn't really worth arguing about but I made the comment based on some previous discussion about who was deeper.  To me, the minutes suggests that GVW doesn't believe he has much depth for a game of this magnitude.

[Pat Coleman]

One thing you should keep in mind is that in a TV game, you have those eight timeouts that are each two minutes. It's easy to play your starters longer because fatigue is less of a factor.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Having two players each outscore the rest of your team is not a recipe for future success.  Calvin proved to be the deeper team but it didn't matter today.

I guess this may be a matter of interpretation but I don't think the fact Wolfe and MVH happened to have monster games while Calvin's scoring was more balanced proved Calvin is the deeper team. Realistically, no one game is ever going to prove one team is deeper than another team. Today, Calvin's scoring was more balanced but Hope relied on Wolfe on MVH. If a team has a player or two or three that are hot and the other team can't stop them I don't think relying on that player shows a lack of depth. I think teams tend to rely on the hot hand.

Look at the minutes played; deep teams don't play all five starters 31+ minutes, 4 of 5 35+ minutes.  Reimink did very little (I realize he had 7 assists) but Glenn didn't turn to his bench to find someone that could bring a bit more today.  The point isn't really worth arguing about but I made the comment based on some previous discussion about who was deeper.  To me, the minutes suggests that GVW doesn't believe he has much depth for a game of this magnitude.

As you say Ziggy, it really doesn't matter which team is actually deeper. What matters is which team has more points. Whether the win comes as a product of all the starters playing 40 minutes a piece or because all 15 players each play an equal amount of time really is irrelevant. I agree that for one reason or another GVW did not play the bench a lot today. I am not sure what that means. In my 7 years of closing observing Hope basketball its my observation that as the season progresses Hope's bench gets shorter and shorter. I am not sure why GVW does this but it really seems to be a consistent practice and I think we'll probably see a lot of games like this in the future for Hope.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

One thing you should keep in mind is that in a TV game, you have those eight timeouts that are each two minutes. It's easy to play your starters longer because fatigue is less of a factor.

I hadn't thought of that. Great point Pat!

[oldknight]

One thing you should keep in mind is that in a TV game, you have those eight timeouts that are each two minutes. It's easy to play your starters longer because fatigue is less of a factor.

+k. VandeStreek mentioned the same thing in his post game comments.

[MWKnight]

Interesting game today at the Fieldhouse...no d = no W.  Interesting decision not to double from the start, and what took so long to go to the double team??  One-on-one, Mantel vs. MVH was laughable.  Marcus killed him all game, mentally and physically.  Englesma didnt play because when he was in the game, he was soft.  The loss of Meckes was never so apparent until now.  
That said, Calvin played OK and still almost won despite career days from MVH and Wolfe, so that is promising.  Giving up 55% shooting will never get it done.  Didnt get it done on the glass either, especially in the opening minutes when Hope earned four or five O boards.  
Room for improvement is always a good sign...Go Knights!