MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[NW Hope Fan]

Amherst, Mass Dartmouth, and Wash U all lose today.. Looks like a few bubbles have popped.

At this point the only thing that matters is the regional rankings and placement in the national tournament, but I'd think Hope should move up in the D3Hoops poll next week... Maybe???

[scottiedawg]

Calvin was ranked 19th to begin this year, and I don't know how losing eleven games and Griffin will raise that.

[scottiedawg]

Amherst, Mass Dartmouth, and Wash U all lose today.. Looks like a few bubbles have popped.

At this point the only thing that matters is the regional rankings and placement in the national tournament, but I'd think Hope should move up in the D3Hoops poll next week... Maybe???

Hope should host the first two rounds; an inital bye is just out of reach.  I believe the committee looks at Regional win/loss percentage and OWP, and not so much at the NCAA regional rankings.  The D3 Hoops poll is irrelevant, but even so, Hope should move to #2 with the Amherst loss.

[calvin_grad]

Calvin was ranked 19th to begin this year, and I don't know how losing eleven games and Griffin will raise that.

I agree 100%.  THIS year was supposed to be the year w/ Griffin.

[NW Hope Fan]

I apologize guys... I'm sorry I have more confidence in your team next year than you do... Griff will be missed, but you have a lot of leadership coming back. Good outside shooters, and a strong inside presence. And all this without knowing what is in the pipeline.

[scottiedawg]

Kudos to KVS for sitting Mantel much of the second half.  Hope fans thank you because Mantel happens to help Calvin when he is on the floor. 

[Erm Schmigget]

It was a beautiful day in Holland...in so many ways!  Congratulations Flying Dutchmen (and Flying Dutch), defending home court successfully and paving the way to the NCAA tounament.

After a decisive win by the women's team, a trip to the New Holland Brew Pub was in order.  Veragrace and I had the pleasure of sharing a meal with FDF, CM, their son Tyler (who has a great sense of humor--where'd he get that from?   ) and sac.  After dinner, a nice walk back to the DeVos to take in the men's championship game.

After being down by a bunch in the first half, I have to admit that I had my confidence shaken some.  Nice to see that the men on the court didn't share that sentiment.  This year's team has proven more than once that they have the mettle to overcome adversity and emerge with a victory.  Compared to past teams, they have shown a greater ability to adjust on both ends of the court when things aren't going their way.  Tonight, they proved themselves again and rose to the challenge, turning a 13 point deficit in the first half into a 1 point lead at intermission.  The second half they had the train back on the tracks.

I love the fact that Hope's leaders won't let their teammates get down about scoring slumps, momentum shifts, scoreboard deficits, etc.  Say what you will about Marcus VanderHeide, but his leadership in particular is the kind that other teams in the league could have benefitted from this year.  Even in games he didn't score big, his presence on the court made his teammates better.  After tonight's win, he was interviewed on the radio and gave props to his teammates, singling out Zach Osburn as "the heart and soul of the team".  Leadership without an inflated ego.

On to the NCAA tournament.  I hope the NCAA selection committee doesn't jumble up the region too much and send Hope on the road for the first 2 rounds.  It seems unlikely at this point, but this is an NCAA committee we're talking about here.    We'll find out Monday...

P.S.  Nice to meet Hope Convert this evening as well.  Glad there was no "walk of shame" necessary through the Calvin section after the game.  

[section7]

Derek Griffin - 1st Half - three 3's and three consecutive point of his finger  at the Dew Crew

Derek Griiffin - 2nd half - zero 3's and ZERO pointing of his finger at the Dew Crew.

You are ZERO class Griffin and good riddance!!!!!!!!

[AndersDY]

Hope should host the first two rounds; an inital bye is just out of reach.  I believe the committee looks at Regional win/loss percentage and OWP, and not so much at the NCAA regional rankings.  The D3 Hoops poll is irrelevant, but even so, Hope should move to #2 with the Amherst loss.

It'd be unlikely for Hope to ever get a bye again. More than whether a tournament resume deserves it, the bye ends up getting used to avoid making some extremely long travel necessary in the first round (ie Mississippi College). I saw Capital lost so hosting next weekend does look like a possibility certainly. The committee may give Hope as good a virtual bye as they can based on our regional ranking though, something like the Wisconsin Lutheran game a couple years ago.

I committed myself to something next weekend, long before I thought out which weekend it would be, so the idea that Wooster is still a likely Pool C has me thinking I may kick myself all week. Hope and Wooster have not met since the time I added the Scots to my fandom, so I will greatly regret being out of town if they end up playing this week. Maybe I'll get lucky and they will be spread out enough to be on track to meet in the sectionals. Other than the fact it would have meant giving a rivalry game back, it would always be nice to get another MIAA into the tournament.

This Calvin team this year has been a crazy mystery to me. I went to the CCIW games in Grand Rapids and was going down the list as I looked that Calvin's familiar faces: Griffin, Veldhouse, Smith, Mantel, Veltema... yikes, I thought it might be an ugly year in the rivalry. For this team to end up 0-3 and have the overall record they did just baffles me. I guess it was just an example of quality of the parts vs. quality of the entire puzzle. I also underestimated what I expected when I got my first glance at who Hope returned. Now the losses on both sides appear to indicate power switches back to the maroon side next year, but based on how poorly I guessed how this season would go, I suppose we will just have to see. Maybe next year we Hope fans can be celebrating some Super Sophs. 

Congratulations to Derek Griffin as he finishes his career. I'll pay him the largest compliment Hope fans can give any Calvin player: we are not sad to see you go. 

Hopefully I may ask a 50% on-topic question: since they started the conference tourney, has any school done a 4 trophy sweep with outright conference titles and both tournaments? A great day from a Hope perspective.

[HopeConvert]

WOW!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Derek Griffin - 1st Half - three 3's and three consecutive point of his finger  at the Dew Crew

Derek Griiffin - 2nd half - zero 3's and ZERO pointing of his finger at the Dew Crew.

You are ZERO class Griffin and good riddance!!!!!!!!

If a recognizable group of fans singles out a player, can they really gripe if the player singles them out in return?

I found your post to be ZERO class.

[Erm Schmigget]

Derek Griffin - 1st Half - three 3's and three consecutive point of his finger  at the Dew Crew

Derek Griiffin - 2nd half - zero 3's and ZERO pointing of his finger at the Dew Crew.

You are ZERO class Griffin and good riddance!!!!!!!!

If a recognizable group of fans singles out a player, can they really gripe if the player singles them out in return?

I found your post to be ZERO class.

Are you saying that Griffin was being singled out?

[HopeConvert]

I have to say, when Calvin was up 27-14 with under ten minutes to go in the half, I was plenty worried. Calvin came out ready to play - especially Derek Griffin who demonstrated that, when he is on his game, not even great defense will stop him from scoring. Not surprisingly, GVW shifted Klein over on him in the second half. But Hope didn't panic, and even though it seemed Calvin was getting every rebound and every loose ball, and even though it seemed there was a lid on Hope's rim, the Dutchmen chipped away. I was hoping they could get it within six at halftime. I never thought they'd have the lead. Once Derek hit that 3 at about the 17 minute mark, it was game over. What a second half by the Dutchmen, and I allowed myself to believe that maybe - just maybe - if they keep playing like that, we might see some walnut and bronze by the season's end, particularly since there seems to be no favorite going into the tournament.

Nice to meet Erm tonight, even if he looked nothing like a Schmigget ought, and VG as well. I think it was the first time I've seen sac in orange. You know you'll have to wear that sweater for the rest of the season. Don't wash it!!!!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Derek Griffin - 1st Half - three 3's and three consecutive point of his finger  at the Dew Crew

Derek Griiffin - 2nd half - zero 3's and ZERO pointing of his finger at the Dew Crew.

You are ZERO class Griffin and good riddance!!!!!!!!

If a recognizable group of fans singles out a player, can they really gripe if the player singles them out in return?

I found your post to be ZERO class.

Are you saying that Griffin was being singled out?

You got me, Erm - I wasn't there.  But as a graduating senior, knowing it might well be his last rivalry game (or even last ANY game), I'll cut him some slack.  (Unlike section7.)

[HopeConvert]

Hope 20-22 from the stripe today. Can't complain about that. 9 3's in the second half.