MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Erm Schmigget]

Not to change the subject or anything...

I was just looking over Albion's record to get a feel for how they've done with the rest of the league.  This Saturday's matchup against Hope will be only the 5th time this season they've had the home court advantage.  That makes me wonder what kind of atmosphere they have for their games this year.  I recall a very spirited fan base in years past, but with so few home games, I would think it would be hard to build much momentum with the home fans.  I hope I'm wrong, for the sake of the Hope fans heading there for the game...Albion's fans usually provide quite a bit of entertainment.

[realist]

DCHN:  My words were: "It seems every year or two a player comes into the MIAA that opposing fans just learn to dislike or needle if opportunity presents. "   My comment was to the entire MIAA, and not specifically towards Hope or any current or past Hope player.  IMHO Calvin has had players that fit my criteria.  Foltice quickly comes to mind.  Defiance had a guard that ranks near the all time worst for cocky attitude in my opinion.
One shouldn't be so quick to interpret every comment as an attack on your school or your players.
I recall KVS setting young Mr. Foltice down on several occassions when he got a bit too expressive,  and I applaud GVW for apparently doing the same thing.

[sac]

Not to change the subject or anything...

I was just looking over Albion's record to get a feel for how they've done with the rest of the league.  This Saturday's matchup against Hope will be only the 5th time this season they've had the home court advantage.  That makes me wonder what kind of atmosphere they have for their games this year.  I recall a very spirited fan base in years past, but with so few home games, I would think it would be hard to build much momentum with the home fans.  I hope I'm wrong, for the sake of the Hope fans heading there for the game...Albion's fans usually provide quite a bit of entertainment.

Albion just started their semester a week ago, maybe two.  The MIAA was able to give them a bit of a break so they could have some home games while students were actually on campus.  This is why Alma only has 2 home games the second half of the season, and Albion has 5.

I can only speak about the last two trips to Albion where student support has been rather soft.  Of course last year was a Monday night game and the atmosphere was exactly what you'd expect on a Monday night.

Attendance at Albion
2007--252........Monday night game, Albion was 6-14 coming in.
2006--554........students were not on campus
2005--1351......students were on campus
2004--1307

[dumezrules]

Who gets the Hope job when GVW retires?

[hope1]

funny it problaby  wont happen for a while

[Flying Dutch Fan]

funny it problaby  wont happen for a while

I hope it never happens   

Masochist   

[hopehoopfan]

Hey I just had a thought while reading Happy Calvin Guys request for some Karma on page 958,  if I say, My Name is Earl, can I get some positive Karma?     

[hopehoopfan]

I still think Ty will be too quiet and unassuming overall to follow DVS into the "most picked-on" role. 

Unless there is a transfer or incoming freshman talent next year, there may not be "a player the opposing fans love to hate" next year for Hope, as the whole JV team is virtually "attitudeless" (I know that isn't a word, but it fits). They love to play and do it with positive workmanlike attitudes.  If this is the case, the opposing fans usually start to ride the one(s) with the most talent whenever they make a mistake. They have to boo someone!!

[EC Knight]

Coach of the Year---I don't have one yet, still a ways to go, GVW is probably the leader at the turn, but a real solid second half could sway things the other way.

Please understand I have no beef with this choice at all, maroon and gold glasses not withstanding. I'm just curious how one usually stacks coaches up against each other to determine a coach of the year. Surely, the talent of the players the coach has to work with factor in to the equation, which would hurt GVW (maybe number of assistants should count too  ). I'd like to hear/read other's opinions on how to pick this. I myself tend to lean towards GVW right now too but as you said Sac, it's kind of up in the air, because he almost should do well with that team.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Good players can make a coach look good, but IF the coach recruited those players, it should obviously be a plus, not a minus!

[ziggy]

Good players can make a coach look good, but IF the coach recruited those players, it should obviously be a plus, not a minus!

But is it truly the coach, or is it the institution?  I think GVW and KVS are both great coaches and do a great job of bringing in talent but you have to admit that Hope and Calvin have inherent advantages over the other MIAA schools in terms of their ability to bring in a broad talent base.  They just aren't as regionally limited like the other schools.

[bulldogalum]

Frankly, I would name coach Gifford at Olivet the coach of the year.  I think they've made the most drastic improvement from last year, even if it may not show on the win/loss record.  They're worlds better than they were a year ago, and a lot of that has to do with the coaching job done by Gifford.  And I say this fully hoping that the Comets drop another one on Saturday.

[hopehoopfan]

Coach of the Year---I don't have one yet, still a ways to go, GVW is probably the leader at the turn, but a real solid second half could sway things the other way.

What team(s) does anyone see as having the best chance of having a strong second half and vying for the MIAA crown, outside of the obvious choice of Hope who seems to be currently cruising? Looking at the close games of last night, it sure gives credance to the old adage, "that on any given night........."
For you stat gurus, who is mathematically capable?

[hopehoopfan]

At the halfway point, I thought I'd take a crack at an all-MIAA team.

Freshman of the Year---Michael McClary, Olivet----Kind of wish you could give this to both of the McClary's,  Brandon McClary would get top newcomer if there was such a thing. 

Gotta agree here, I saw McClary play quite often for Bellaire and he was a man among boys up here! As was Brandon before him.  We all knew while he was playing high school ball that he had a future in college ball. I am just glad that I get an opportunity to watch both he and his brother twice a year.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Good players can make a coach look good, but IF the coach recruited those players, it should obviously be a plus, not a minus!

But is it truly the coach, or is it the institution?  I think GVW and KVS are both great coaches and do a great job of bringing in talent but you have to admit that Hope and Calvin have inherent advantages over the other MIAA schools in terms of their ability to bring in a broad talent base.  They just aren't as regionally limited like the other schools.

Fair enough as a general point; if you think I'm getting involved in the specific debate, you're nuts!