MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ChicagoHopeNut]

On Albion, they also lost to Ohio Wesleyan and Kalamazoo. I was pondering voting for OWU until they lost last weekend but Albion would be behind them on my list.

I understand why Albion is not getting a lot of love nationally. However, if Albion manages to get into the tourney as the MIAA tourney winner or in some crazy scenario sneaks in as a Pool C the Brits would be a team I would certainly want to avoid. I think they are more than capable of making a rather fascinating run.

[HopeConvert]

The keys to the game may very well be ankles: Carter's and Griffin's. If Griffin is back to full strength and is able to penetrate like he did last year, that changes the way Hope can defend Calvin. Veldhouse, in my opinion, is not effective at driving the lane. The fact that he has developed the deft drive and pull-up jumper that he has is an indication that he probably doesn't like going all the way to the hole. I think it's the major hole in his game, particularly as he seems to have improved on the defensive end. Griffin is another story, and is very good at breaking down defenses with dribble penetration. Keep in mind what they did to Wash U before he got injured. As sac and other have noted, putting Carter at the point has enabled DVS to play at the 2, which is his more natural position. If Carter can't go, that could limit DVS's effectiveness, as well as put enormous pressure on the starters to play more minutes than they might like.

It's hard to see Marcus and Wolfe having games as big as the one they had at Knollcrest. So the question for Hope becomes: who will step up? Klein? DVS? Hope fans seem to believe it has to be the latter. I have a feeling, however, that Tanis might end up being a major factor in this game, although I'm not sure whether he gives us the defense on the floor that we need. We might see a good deal of zone from Hope - although in that situation I really worry about our ability to keep Calvin's big men off the offensive glass.

As far as Albion goes: yes they had a bad streak in December, but they aren't the same team now. On the other hand, they're just sneaking by teams right now, and could easily have another few losses on their resume. Still, a win is a win. They're an interesting team, and I don't relish the idea of having to play them at Kresge in the MIAA tournament (although, oddly, I'd be more confident about Hope in that game then I would be for the Dutchmen at home against Calvin).

[HopeConvert]

I'm a little embarrassed I forgot someone: Jesse Reimink. I don't expect him to have only 2 points again. If Calvin collapses more on Marcus, I expect Wolfe to still be money, but I also expect Reimink to have a much better game. He's due for a big game. This could be the one.

[wiz]

Lots of talk about the rivalry game tomorrow but let's remember there is a lot of other basketball too.  Albion has a game at home with Alma and all teams play again on Saturday.  This thing isn't over and, as in the past, the only sure way onward is by winning the MIAA.  The next two weeks will be fun.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Lots of talk about the rivalry game tomorrow but let's remember there is a lot of other basketball too.  Albion has a game at home with Alma and all teams play again on Saturday.  This thing isn't over and, as in the past, the only sure way onward is by winning the MIAA.  The next two weeks will be fun.

Despite the smack down Hope laid on Tri-State in Holland I expect Saturday's game at Tri-State will be very difficult regardless of the outcome tomorrow. So much intensity!

[sac]

Lots of talk about the rivalry game tomorrow but let's remember there is a lot of other basketball too.  Albion has a game at home with Alma and all teams play again on Saturday.  This thing isn't over and, as in the past, the only sure way onward is by winning the MIAA.  The next two weeks will be fun.

Albion plays Tri-State Wednesday, a game they won by 9 the first time, but led by 1 with 2 minutes to play.

Albion plays Alma Saturday, a team Albion went to overtime with the first time.

[realist]

Lots of talk about the rivalry game tomorrow but let's remember there is a lot of other basketball too.  Albion has a game at home with Alma and all teams play again on Saturday.  This thing isn't over and, as in the past, the only sure way onward is by winning the MIAA.  The next two weeks will be fun.

No disagreement that Wed., and Sat games could have some real impact on the final conference standings.  There are a number of possibilities of potential MIAA final standings.  They range from Hope winning 2 games, and finishing 13-1.  Hope losing 2 games, and finishing 11-3, Calvin winning 2, and finishing 11-3, and Albion losing 1, and finishing 11-3.  Or Albion winning 2, and finishing 12-2 and possibly winning it all.  About the only thing we know for sure is either Calvin or Hope is going to get one loss.  From there the odds of the various potential combinations of wins and losses range from Albion winning 2 at home to Albion losing 2 at home.  I would bet my money on the former, and "Wiz" I wouldn't even bet your money on the latter.
Albion 2 games at home, Hope 1 home, and 1 on the road, and Calvin 2 road games.

[AndersDY]

Here's another:

Calvin's average shooting % in the last 6 games:  44.4%

Hope's average shooting % in the last 6 games:  45.8%

Implies Hope had fewer chances for offensive rebounds than Calvin.

Yes, it does hurt the numbers to spot Calvin those extra 4 or 5 potential offensive boards in the past 6 games. 

On a separate note, do any other Hope folks really hate to see a number as small as #3 next to Hope's name going into a Calvin game? It's only in my paranoid mind that such a ranking would make a Hope loss any more likely, but just the knowledge that it'll make an upset that much sweeter for the other side has me plenty nervous with 31 hours to go. I suppose I should take comfort that only once in the history of the rivalry has the regular season been split with away-game wins, but that of course is in the much too recent history of the rivalry.

[scottiedawg]

How is it that the WIAC get 4 teams in the top 25?  Seems a little overloaded to me.

Team  Record  MasseyMOV,SOS
UW Stevens Point 19-4  15
UW Whitewater 19-4   25
UW Oshkosh 17-6   5
UW Platteville 17-6   19

I know you weren't comparing them with the MIAA, but for comparison's sake:
Hope 19-3   105
Albion 16-5   80
Calvin 14-8   74
Adrian 9-14   126

[kakaty]

There are at least two posts on this page alone that fail to capitalize both words when referring to "The Rivalry".  If we could rectify this going forward and treat this game with the deference that it deserves , I think everybody would appreciate it.

Also, let's hope that the refs tomorrow night can show the kind of poise and discretion This Game deserves.  For goodness' sake, if a Hope player is going in for a crowd-pleasing jam, don't let all the air out of the balloon by calling a travelling violation, no matter how legitimate.  A good ref should swallow the whistle and let the players decide who gets to dunk.

[Pat Coleman]

There are at least two posts on this page alone that fail to capitalize both words when referring to "The Rivalry".  If we could rectify this going forward and treat this game with the deference that it deserves , I think everybody would appreciate it.

ReLax.

[bulldogalum]

There are at least two posts on this page alone that fail to capitalize both words when referring to "The Rivalry".  If we could rectify this going forward and treat this game with the deference that it deserves , I think everybody would appreciate it.

Jeeze, I know Albion-Tri State is a big game, but I don't know if I'd go so far as to call it "The Rivalry."     Is there another big game tomorrow??

[sac]

Who's K play tommorrow?

[kakaty]

K hosts Olivet tomorrow. 

It is also televised just like Calvin-Hope, but only on tape delay and only available in the Kalamazoo and Olivet film rooms.  And possibly Coach Passage's house.

[thealmascots]

Looking for one ticket for tomorrow if anyone has one.