MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Titan Q]

Hope is going to finish the year on a positive note beating Ursinus.  Up by 20, and GVW is taking the seniors out one by one.  One of Ursinus's better players is apparently hurt, and their 6' 10" guy fouled out.

Having just returned from Salem I can say that you'd be surprised but Ursinus' 6'10" player was too slow and had bad foot work. In my opinion he was their third best center. Actually, by far the most impressive player who was a big was 23, who played as the 3rd center it seemed to me. I am not sure if he was hurting or what but I felt the Ursinus coach made a fatal error not playing 23 more. He clearly was a greater offensive force than the other bigs, at least today.

Couldn't agree more - even if we had discussed this to death in a three and a half hour car ride (wait, I think we did...)  Ursinus is completely a riddle to me.  Amherst ran them off the floor the night before and Hope appeared poised to do the same and then the 6'10" guy would come off the floor and a 20 point lead would be down to 10.  Perhaps 23, like the guy the fans chanted MVP for, was hurt or sick.  If that's the case, that explains a lot.  (And I really would love to hear someone that had seen them all season respond) - but the team we saw this weekend was a level below the other three schools at the Final Four.

Ursinus played without their best player yesterday vs Hope - Nick Shattuck (21.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg).  Against Amherst Shattuck tried to give it a go, even though at just 50% or so (severe ankle sprain).  He was clearly not effective vs the Lord Jeffs.

I'm not sure it's fair to draw definitive conclusions about the Ursinus team we saw play this weekend...especially the one that Hope faced.

[pointlem]

Some reflections on 2007-2008 Hope College men's basketball:

•Had you told me at the season's beginning that Hope's points would pretty much come from last year's Hope team minus Steve Cramer, and then predicted 28-4 and a Final Four run, I would have doubted your credibility.   Win the league and its tournament, beat an excellent Calvin team three times, and make it to the Final Four without a true center or all-American go-to player (a la Duane Bosma/Joel Hostege)?  Not likely.

•To what do you credit their achievements?  Seems to me it's a combination of 1) each of the starters taking his game to an observably higher level (MVH's play around the basket, Tyler's strength in driving to the basket, Ryan's defense, Derek's assists and scoring, Reimink's 3-point shooting), and 2) terrific team chemistry with an aggressive, turnover-causing defense, an effective motion offense, and a positive and effective bench.

•All that reflects favorably on both the players and the coaches.  I can't think of a year when GVW is more deserving of coach-of-the-year.

•The last four victories at the sold-out DeVos will be a fun memory for years to come . . . a rock concert atmosphere with play and shooting that realized the team's potential.

•Unfortunately, during Friday night's 2nd half Wash U put on a shooting display that was an echo of what Hope did to Wheaton six days earlier.  Hope was playing last year's Wash U team minus star Sean Wallis---a team that shot 31% in scoring 58 points again Hope at Stevens Point.  Alas, Aaron Thompson, after going 0 for 8 for no points in his previous game, decides to do a Kent Raymond imitation with a series of long-range shots.  And Hope's big guys, compromised by early fouls and some interesting charge calls that wiped out baskets, were unable to contain Troy Ruths as they had last year (with his 10 points).  Like HopeConvert, I'd love to see a World Series-like best-of-seven.

•This year's loss hurt--because they were so close to fulfilling a dream--but not quite as bad as those of the last two years, both of which were marked by abnormally cold Hope shooting the first half, and in games that were still winnable in the last minute.  This loss was attributable not to Hope playing exceptionally poorly (apart from missed layups), but to Wash U shooting extraordinarily well. 

•Kudos to the six seniors for treating us all to a terrific year. 

•Already I'm looking forward to next year, with new roles for this year's fab four frosh, whose apprentice year is successfully completed.  I foresee another Tyler-like (and not just in name) shooter, a point guard who led the team in assists/minute and displays a great ability to see the floor and drive to the basket, an exciting and long-armed wing player who was a 59% 3-point shooter in his first year, and a leaping, athletic forward. 

[arena]

hope seniors what a great 4 years you had for basketball you supported hope really good 3 years ago  final 16  last year  final 8  this year final 4  what a great run you have  nothing to be sad for  what a great 4 years and what a class speech gw did friday night after the game to the hope fans thanks for that

Well, actually a few had a good 3 years, but who's counting??

[GoKnights68]

Interesting point of view from someone in Holland.

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/032108/D3_20080321040.shtml

That, even for the Sentinel, was a poorly written article.  The (D3 Hoops) announcers also just mentioned the "shadow of Calvin" thing, but they debunked it, and rightly so.
To assume a D3 coach of GVW's status is under pressure is absurd.

I agree that that is a poor written article. 

Michigan football has only won one National Championship in the last 50 years, but they are elite in most people's minds.   Is Hope an elite program?  You bet ya.

A national championship is a GREAT accomplishment, but it isn't what defines a program.   

Plus, it's not like Hope does awful in Salem every time.  They haven't gone away from Salem each of the 3 times without winning at least a game.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

pointlem - very well written and spot on IMHO.  +k from me

[Pat Coleman]

Hope is absolutely an elite program. No question.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Hope is going to finish the year on a positive note beating Ursinus.  Up by 20, and GVW is taking the seniors out one by one.  One of Ursinus's better players is apparently hurt, and their 6' 10" guy fouled out.

Having just returned from Salem I can say that you'd be surprised but Ursinus' 6'10" player was too slow and had bad foot work. In my opinion he was their third best center. Actually, by far the most impressive player who was a big was 23, who played as the 3rd center it seemed to me. I am not sure if he was hurting or what but I felt the Ursinus coach made a fatal error not playing 23 more. He clearly was a greater offensive force than the other bigs, at least today.

Couldn't agree more - even if we had discussed this to death in a three and a half hour car ride (wait, I think we did...)  Ursinus is completely a riddle to me.  Amherst ran them off the floor the night before and Hope appeared poised to do the same and then the 6'10" guy would come off the floor and a 20 point lead would be down to 10.  Perhaps 23, like the guy the fans chanted MVP for, was hurt or sick.  If that's the case, that explains a lot.  (And I really would love to hear someone that had seen them all season respond) - but the team we saw this weekend was a level below the other three schools at the Final Four.

I'm not sure it's fair to draw definitive conclusions about the Ursinus team we saw play this weekend...especially the one that Hope faced.

Agreed. Ursinus was not what they could have been due to injuries. My main point was merely that #41 on Ursinus was not the best big man on that team in the two games I saw. I thought #23 was faster, stronger to the bucket, and had better footwork and had he seem more time on the floor it would have helped Ursinus, particularly against Hope.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Well this is a bit late. For all the complaints we have had in the past about the NCAA selection committee I must say at least there is some human element to the process. It seems hockey uses a completely blind computer formula!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=3307888

[northb]

To Pat and his crew:

Thanks for a great year on the website.  My enjoyment of the MIAA has been greatly improved by what you do for us.  Keep up the great work.

[HopeConvert]

Like pointlem, I never would have anticipated this kind of year from the Dutchmen. Frankly, I thought it was going to be Calvin we were going to see in Salem. Despite the keen disappointment of Friday night, and how badly you feel for these kids and the coaches when you see the disappointment on their faces, it really was a great season. I loved the way this team played the game, and how disciplined and focused they were. That's what made the second half Friday night so unexpected: it just wasn't characteristic of what we have seen from them all year. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this season thoroughly, and am looking forward to next year, even while I wish the seniors best of luck.

[sac]

I was finally able to get to a computer this evening, I'm pretty wiped out after spending 14 hours in the car cruising Virginia and Pennsylvania.   I'll post more later this week when I get back to Michgan.

First my congratulations to the Flying Dutchmen for an outstanding season.  The end wasn't what we all wanted but everything up to it had been just about perfect.  Thanks for a great season, and big thank you to the 6 Sr's  Marcus, Derek, Tyler, Ryan, Scott, and Dan.   What a great 3 year ride, takeing it a step further each time, and takeing us back to Salem for the first time in 10 years.  I don't think we can say thank you enough.


Also a belated congratulations to the WashU Bears who were just simply amazing this weekend, they absolutely took apart two very good defensive teams.

I thought two things stuck out in WashU's favor, the first was the most obvious, no one from the other 3 teams had anyone who could defend Troy Ruths without getting into foul trouble.  He dominated both teams.  Second, I thought WashU was quicker to the ball than the other 3 teams and allowed them to get just a little more space for open shots, a little tighter pressure on defense, and a whole bunch of rebounds and loose balls.  Their dominance of Amherst was probably the most surprising aspect of the weekend.



My curiosity got the best of me and I just had to know historicaly what WashU did to Hope on Friday night.

89 was the most Hope gave up by 12 in regulation this season, that 77 was by Mt. Vernon Nazarene, a pretty high scoring NAIA team in their own right.  Hope only gave up 70+ points 10 times all season.

Here's an amazing number, 93...............93 is the number of games since Hope last gave up 80 points period, that dates back to the final game of the 2005 season, an 82-61 loss to Calvin.

If you take it furter, 89 is the most Hope had given up dateing back to 2004 in a game vs Tri-State.  We could get fancy and pull out the Tri-State games where the Thunder tried to play Grinnell ball, in which case we have to go back to a 2002 game with Olivet and their 90 points.   6 full seasons, 157 games since Hope gave up as many as 89 points.

Washington did something pretty special and rare against Hope Friday night. 


Once again, Congratulations Hope!

2008 MIAA Champions
2008 MIAA Tournament Champions
2008 NCAA Third Place

[tniem]

Hope is going to finish the year on a positive note beating Ursinus.  Up by 20, and GVW is taking the seniors out one by one.  One of Ursinus's better players is apparently hurt, and their 6' 10" guy fouled out.

Having just returned from Salem I can say that you'd be surprised but Ursinus' 6'10" player was too slow and had bad foot work. In my opinion he was their third best center. Actually, by far the most impressive player who was a big was 23, who played as the 3rd center it seemed to me. I am not sure if he was hurting or what but I felt the Ursinus coach made a fatal error not playing 23 more. He clearly was a greater offensive force than the other bigs, at least today.

Couldn't agree more - even if we had discussed this to death in a three and a half hour car ride (wait, I think we did...)  Ursinus is completely a riddle to me.  Amherst ran them off the floor the night before and Hope appeared poised to do the same and then the 6'10" guy would come off the floor and a 20 point lead would be down to 10.  Perhaps 23, like the guy the fans chanted MVP for, was hurt or sick.  If that's the case, that explains a lot.  (And I really would love to hear someone that had seen them all season respond) - but the team we saw this weekend was a level below the other three schools at the Final Four.

Ursinus played without their best player yesterday vs Hope - Nick Shattuck (21.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg).  Against Amherst Shattuck tried to give it a go, even though at just 50% or so (severe ankle sprain).  He was clearly not effective vs the Lord Jeffs.

I'm not sure it's fair to draw definitive conclusions about the Ursinus team we saw play this weekend...especially the one that Hope faced.

Fair enough.  Still I agree with DC, not sure why 23 was not on the floor more. 

[realist]

Like pointlem, I never would have anticipated this kind of year from the Dutchmen. Frankly, I thought it was going to be Calvin we were going to see in Salem. Despite the keen disappointment of Friday night, and how badly you feel for these kids and the coaches when you see the disappointment on their faces, it really was a great season. I loved the way this team played the game, and how disciplined and focused they were. That's what made the second half Friday night so unexpected: it just wasn't characteristic of what we have seen from them all year. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this season thoroughly, and am looking forward to next year, even while I wish the seniors best of luck.

Now that the season is over it still amazes me that any Hope posters were surprised by the great year your team had.  Frankly, I picked Hope to win the MIAA, and make a deep run in the NCAA early in the season.  About the only mistake Hope made this past season was going into the HOF game against AQ without first playing a cupcake game.  About the only time I thought Calvin might have a great year was right after they beat Wash U, but after the HOF, and MIAA/CCIW matchup it became painfully apparent Calvin had some sort of systemic problem.   I still think the Elmhurst game was a key point for Hope, and made them a much more focused, and better team.  It hurts to lose, but Wash U is a very good team, and they had a great game.  Hard to beat that combination. 

CM: Did you remember to have some fun down in Salem, and savor the experience?

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Like pointlem, I never would have anticipated this kind of year from the Dutchmen. Frankly, I thought it was going to be Calvin we were going to see in Salem. Despite the keen disappointment of Friday night, and how badly you feel for these kids and the coaches when you see the disappointment on their faces, it really was a great season. I loved the way this team played the game, and how disciplined and focused they were. That's what made the second half Friday night so unexpected: it just wasn't characteristic of what we have seen from them all year. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this season thoroughly, and am looking forward to next year, even while I wish the seniors best of luck.

Now that the season is over it still amazes me that any Hope posters were surprised by the great year your team had.  Frankly, I picked Hope to win the MIAA, and make a deep run in the NCAA early in the season.  About the only mistake Hope made this past season was going into the HOF game against AQ without first playing a cupcake game.  About the only time I thought Calvin might have a great year was right after they beat Wash U, but after the HOF, and MIAA/CCIW matchup it became painfully apparent Calvin had some sort of systemic problem.   I still think the Elmhurst game was a key point for Hope, and made them a much more focused, and better team.  It hurts to lose, but Wash U is a very good team, and they had a great game.  Hard to beat that combination. 

CM: Did you remember to have some fun down in Salem, and savor the experience?

I picked Calvin to win conference back in November and thought Hope would have a very solid year, I just didn't expect them to replace Cramer with such ease. Looking back I probably should have expected such a senior laden team to play well and there is no doubt that MVH, DVS, and others really stepped up their game and their leadership.

I think the biggest surprise of the year for me was Tyler Wolfe. I didn't expect him to step into the 2 role and provide some great shooting games and the ability to drive to the hoop in the manner he did all year long. Klein also stepped up his game defensively, which was a great help all year long.

[hope1]

i picked calvin to win the league to i did not think hope would go this far but had a good year