MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[flash96]

If I recall the B-W game correctly, which I still need therapy for, Hope started fouling B-W in the closing seconds.  Indicative of a team being down a few points.  B-W had a phenomenal free throw shooting percentage that year, so fouling them really didn't help the Dutchmen.  Ahhh that was a painful trip down memory lane!

[sbaum]

Ahhh that was a painful trip down memory lane!

Yes. So how about we return focus to something much more pressing, like this weekend's sectional game against OWU!

[flash96]

Yes. So how about we return focus to something much more pressing, like this weekend's sectional game against OWU!

I was simply clarifying, didn't intend to dwell upon it.

[realist]

Looking at the stats on OWU seems to indicate they are much like several teams Hope has already played this year.  4 players accounted for all but 8 points in their win on Sat., and looking at minutes played it seems the starters  are relyed on to carry the load.  It was interesting they went down 10-0 to Centre, but were able to get the game back under control.  At this point I would say Hope has almost the same advantages as last weekend, and again the home court is a very significant factor at this point in a NCAA run.  However, OWU has already proven they can play well on the other teams floor so Hope will need to keep that in mind.  This isn't quite the matchu[ I anticipated in the pickem contest, and it stikes me the other 3 teams in this sectional have already proven they aren't going to give anyone much.  The are all hungry teams, and Hope will need to match the hunger, and intensity/desire.

[sac]

I sat with an MIAA coach  back on November 30 during the Calvin/Carthage game.  Later his team would lose to Ohio Wesleyan in late December.   He was under the impression then that OWU had the chance to be the best team in the Great Lakes Region.  It didn't quite work out 100% but here they are in the tournament and one of the 2 hottest teams in the Region.

[Pat Coleman]

... here they are in the tournament and one of the 2 hottest teams in the Region.

Better late than never, to be sure.

[HopeConvert]

Wow - when was the last time this board went nearly 24 hours without a post?

[sac]

In 1990 they started calling the round of 16 Sectionals.  In the 19 tournaments since then, the MIAA has sent 13 teams to 12 Sectionals.  6 have won a Sectional and made it to the Final Four while 4 other teams played in the Sectional Championship.

1990--Calvin
1991--Calvin
1992--Calvin
1993--Calvin
1996--Hope
1997--Hope
1998--Hope
2000--Calvin
2005--Calvin
2005--Albion
2006--Hope
2007--Hope
2008--Hope

Hope is appearing in its 6th Sectional, quite a diverse group of teams that Hope's been paired with, Bold = Hope opponent

1996 @ Wittenberg (Gustavus Adolphus, Whitewater, Wittenberg)
1997 @ Neb. Wesleyan (Mt. Union, Stevens Point, Neb. Wesleyan)
1998 @ Hope (Hampden-Sydney, John Carroll, Christopher Newport)
2006 @ Wittenberg (Transylvania, Mississippi, Wittenberg)
2007 @ Steven Point (Stevens Point, Carroll, WashingtonU)
2008 @ Hope (Wheaton, Whitworth, Ohio Wesleyan)

Overall a 5-3 record in Sectional play, and twice have won the Sectional (96, 98)

[truedutchman]

I'm a numbers guy, and if im correct I do believe Marcus Vanderheide (MVH) just surpassed his 1,000 pt mark in his 3 years at hope, can anyone verify?

[sac]

Indeed he did pass 1,000 on Saturday.  Marcus has 1,011 points for his career.   Good catch truedutchmen.

[sac]

Ironic that Marcus becomes Hope player #31 to cross the 1,000 point mark........and Marcus wears number 31.

[Civic Minded]

Ironic that Marcus becomes Hope player #31 to cross the 1,000 point mark........and Marcus wears number 31.

You have been hanging out with gohope too long!!!      But that is pretty cool.  Congrats, Marcus!

Go Hope!

[Civic Minded]

Alright, kids!  I can't take the silence!     So, let's all focus on something slightly off of THE topic.  What pre-, during, or post-game rituals do you have?  Or am I the only neurotic out here? (Nah, I know better.)

You start, and when I'm sure some of you are crazier than I am, I'll add my own...   

[section7]

Analysis of Year-End D3Hoops Top 25 and D3 Tournament Performance:

Top 10 - 4 teams make Sweet 16, 4 teams out in 2nd round, 2 team out in 1st round

#11 - #16 - 4 teams make Sweet 16, 1 team out in 2nd round, 1 team out in 1st round

#17 - #25 - 0 teams in Sweet 16, 3 teams out in 2nd round, 4 teams out in 1st round, 2 teams miss tourney

H-M - 4 teams make Sweet 16, 1 team loses in 1st round

No rank - 4 teams make Sweet 16

Half the teams that make the Sweet 16, are not even ranked at the end of the year in D3Hoops poll.

I found that to be very interesting.  Wondered what other people thought or if anyone else realized this.

Do you think the geography has a play in this?  Also, wonder if this shows the strength of some conferences over others

[realist]

Sec. 7:  This entire year has been what might be called unusual or even a bit strange for D3.  In what might be called more normal years you will find perhaps 10 or 12 teams from early in the year that seem to dominate in their regions, and do reasonably well maintaining their rankings for the year.  This past year had lots of teams rising to the top, and then taking a hit or two.   Hope started out in the mid teens, and moved down and back up.  Many people say the only reason Hope is at the top now is simply the teams ranked higher than them managed to lose games late in the season.  Once the dance is announced you can normally make your picks to see who probably is going to match up in the sectionals.  However, this year, as your numbers indicate, there are some interesting teams that have managed to survive to the sweet 16.  Part of this may be that some of the highly ranked teams were over-rated.  (If memory serves Calvin was ranked early on).  It also may mean that some teams have just picked  the right time to peak.  The best example from the 16 is Wheaton.  They weren't expected in the tourney, and not only are they in they are winning.  This may an example of a team that was under-rated, or one that had some injures or other problems, but sure has it together now.  IMHO This really makes the tournament fun, but it can be a bit worrisome if you carry a high ranking, and let it go to your head.   Just watching the conference tournaments several weeks ago showed lots of the top teams losing and thereby eating up pool C bids.  This year pool C had some hiighly ranked teams by both NCAA, and D3 that simply did not perform up to expectations.