MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Enough nonsense......

The old Dick Vitale cliche is that you need a good point gaurd to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.  I don't think its crazy to think that applies to Division III as well.

Since Greg Immink graduated, Hope's been thin at that spot and has had to use a couple guys who aren't true point gaurds (VanSolkema, Jager).  Kelvin Carter is a true point, and he'll be a good one someday but his inexperience and a late season set of injuries prevented him from being a bigger part of Hope's tournament run.  As a result Hope went primarily with VanSolkema, who's not quite big enough to play the 2 gaurd and not quite a true point.  The late season emergence of Brandon Bosch provided big minutes throughout the last 5 weeks but few in the tournament.   But Hope made it work.

Leading up to the NCAA's, VanSolkema had struggled from 3 shooting just over 36% the last half of the MIAA season, averaged 13.2 pts, and had 36 assists and 26 turnovers.

For the NCAA tournament, Derek really stepped up his game averaging 19.2 pts  on 50% shooting from the floor, a stellar 50%  20-40 from 3, dished out 19 assists and committed an amazing 7 turnovers while facing some pretty tough pressure.  3 of those turnovers came in the Ursinas game.

Derek was well deserving of a spot on the all-tournament team right next to Andrew Olsen of Amherst.  Next to Shawn Wallis probably the best pg I've seen in D3 in a few years.  I was overall very impressed with how Derek handled himself in the tournament. He was a big reason why Hope was able to make it to Salem.  It was a great way for him to finish out his short career in Holland, and judging from his post game reactions and interactions, very appreciative of the opportunity and those around him.  Well done.

[Mr. Ypsi]

To elaborate on sac's mention of the importance of point guards, at least a competent point guard is highly recommended to even make the tourney.

I offer the 2006-2007 IWU Titans as exhibit 'A': despite having first-team AA Zach Freeman, they had by far their worst season in the 60+ years of the CCIW.  After their only true pg, freshman Sean Dwyer, went down with a season-ending injury before the season even began, Andrew Gilmore made a valiant attempt to man the position, but continuing ankle injuries gave him a very up and down season.  The result was a 7th place finish (with a first-team All-American)!

This year, with the arrival of Travis Rosenkranz, Sean didn't even play point, but his defense on Kent Raymond was probably the single biggest reason IWU beat Wheaton all three times, and finished second despite a VERY young team (and no Zach Freeman).  And what a wonderful luxury having TWO true points on the floor much of the time!

[sac]

It became clear to me early in the MIAA season Hope was going to ride its starting 5 as far as they could take them.  That was fine, they're a veteran bunch who proved time and again how to win the tough ones.  Sometimes an overlooked ingredient to a good tournament run is the unsung hero, someone you don't expect to show up in big games, provide big minutes, great hustle etc.  Often the numbers don't stand out in the boxscore.

No doubt to me that person was Zach Osburn for the Dutchmen in '08.  Zach was counted on to provide some relief for Hope's frontline of Reimink, Vanderheide and Klein, either through just giving guys a rest or warding off foul trouble.  He became a very valuable if overlooked part of Hope's team, in hindsight I wish we had a couple of Zach's.

His numbers in the tournament won't impress you, and they aren't a whole lot different than his season avg's.  10-15 shooting, 5.0 pts per game, 18 rebounds, 4 Assts, 4 to's and 6 steals, while averaging 13.2 minutes (a little higher than his average).

I think Zach had 3 great moments in the tournament........vs OWU he simply made a play everytime he was on the floor, either a big rebound, steal, taking a charge etc.  He was a big part of Hope being able to match OWU's physical play.  Vs Wheaton the story was much the same, and even included his first ever 3 point shot, and a number of hustle plays.  Maybe Zach's biggest moments and one's that were overlooked were his 28 minutes he was forced to play vs Washington, more than 2 1/2 times his normal minutes vs an all-american in Troy Ruths.   Extremely tough assignment.  Zach came up with 8 pts and 9 rebs.......all points and rebs Hope desperately needed.

The most minutes Zach had played for Hope that I'm aware of was 23 vs Olivet while Ryan Klein stayed home sick.

Just another piece of what was a great run for the Dutchmen.

[sac]

 I've had a few days to take things in, think about Friday and Saturday, analyze some things in my head, and it occurred to me how odd Friday felt.  It felt to me Hope was really scrambling to find minutes, to find lineups.  I knew they were in foul troubles, I knew it was big, I knew it kept the front line divided for a large portion of the game.  But I didn't know just how much untill I got home and could look at some boxscores.

Earlier in the season Hope played Roanoke in Florida and probably faced as much foul trouble as they would all season, if I remember correctly Hope's frontline that day only played a little over 14 minutes together.  Thats a pretty small number by my estimation, somehow Hope battled through it and won a tough ball game on the road.

For Friday's game vs Washington I came up with this......Hope's frontline of Reimink, Vanderheide and Klein played a total of 9:28 together.  I have nothing other than the Roanoke game to compare that to since I rarely find a reason to even check that number out.  But less than 1/4 of a game seems amazing, I don't believe too many teams are much like themselves playing that few minutes together.

It wasn't just a single guy missing either, for 9:59 of the game, Hope played without 2 of those 3 guys.  Its really kind of amazing Hope was even in this game when you think about it.

Hope's 5 best players were its starting 5 of VanSolkema, Wolfe, Reimink, Vanderheide and Klein.  The starting 5 for Hope played together for only 8:44.  Its really no wonder it felt like Hope was playing with a hand tied behind its back, because infact they virtually were.

Ryan Klein's defense down the stretch of the season was amazing to watch.  You could argue he won the MIAA tournament with his steller play, taking away Desmond Young and Derek Griffin in the second halves of those games.  In the NCAA's he picked-up Nate Stahl in the second half and took away a big part of Capital's offense.  Against OWU he was the man defender on Dustin Rudegair, helping hold him to 3 points.  Against Wheaton he again was part of the team effort to slow down Kent Raymond, holding the all-american to a handfull of points and only a couple of FG attempts in the second half.

Vs Washington however Klein faced his toughest test in Troy Ruths.  Unfortunately the whistles came often enough to limit Ryan to only 21 minutes of action.  In those 21 minutes he held his own, holding the all-american to 13 points, some I'm not certain he was responsible for, as WashU forced quite a few switches. 

By the time Ruths picked up foul #1, Hope was already in foul trouble with 2 on Vanderheide and Klein, by foul #2, Klein and Vanderheide each had 3.  Foul #3 occured with just over 12 minutes left, not much concern at that point, most of the damage was done.

I don't think its really any surprise that when Klein fouled out, Troy Ruths scored the next 8 points of the game for WashU and Hope's chances were pretty much paralyzed at that point.

I do give WashU credit, they played the foul game, and attacked Hope during some key moments, most evident going after Vanderheide and a third foul, and latter going after Klein after his 4th and Reimink when it so obvious he was dead tired.

My greatest fear coming into this game was Hope getting in foul trouble because that really was where a weakness in this team was, for the most part they stayed out of it this year.  I do feel pretty strongly Hope's foul trouble played a major roll in the outcome, they had a hard time coping with WashU's agression and it showed.  I guess the question never to be answered is how much of that came from Hope having to back off.

It was just a little disappointing to have to play that kind of game in such a big moment.  Overall Hope battled through it all as best they could.  Hope had only 7 disqualifications this year from fouling out.......3 occurred vs Washington.

It didn't help much this afternoon when I listened to Troy Ruths on hoopsville talking about the weekend........and this quote, said in a joking sort of way about all his trips to the free-throw line.  "Yeah, I really liked those officials".

Just another tiny dagger in an already broken heart.

[GoKnights68]

Enough nonsense......

The old Dick Vitale cliche is that you need a good point gaurd play to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.  I don't think its crazy to think that applies to Division III as well.

Just to add a random response to that.

Just look at Ricky Shultz in Calvin's 2005 final four run.   A senior point guard that came alive in the post-season. 

[pointlem]

Good observation about DVS, Sac.  How nice for him to end his career with such a great stretch of games.  Hope fans will miss his 3-point shot (for which the new 3-point line would have been not a problem).  And how good to have concluded with his display of grace at the end, including, during the waning moments of the last game, going to the supportive cheerleaders and hugging or shaking the hand of each one individually.  A classy finish.

[wiz]

Good observation about DVS, Sac.  How nice for him to end his career with such a great stretch of games.  Hope fans will miss his 3-point shot (for which the new 3-point line would have been not a problem).  And how good to have concluded with his display of grace at the end, including, during the waning moments of the last game, going to the supportive cheerleaders and hugging or shaking the hand of each one individually.  A classy finish.

Ah yes, a very classy finish for a truly classy guy.  Just a great example for DIII basketball!

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Good observation about DVS, Sac.  How nice for him to end his career with such a great stretch of games.  Hope fans will miss his 3-point shot (for which the new 3-point line would have been not a problem).  And how good to have concluded with his display of grace at the end, including, during the waning moments of the last game, going to the supportive cheerleaders and hugging or shaking the hand of each one individually.  A classy finish.

I agree completely!  One of the things I liked most about the consolation game was to see the seniors enjoying themselves and where they were - and doing it with class.  Nice to see them acknowledge the fans as they left the game, and I thought DVS going to the cheerleaders was excellent. 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I've been meaning to post this, but kept forgetting.  As the team came out to warm-up vs WashU, I got this very bad feeling we weren't going to do well - mostly due to the seriousness they had while warming up. 

All season long the guys seemed to be really loose during warm-ups - usually laughing and joking with each other, but still focused.  The game against WashU was the only time all year that they seemed to be tight and tense - due in part I'm sure to it being on that "stage".

The consolation game was of course a different story - the pressure was gone, and they were back to their normal loose, laughing, enjoying the moment warm-ups.  MVH even did a few "steps" as he was being introduced, which cracked up the entire team and the coaches.  That attitude flowed through the game, and they really played that game with a lot of joy.  Nothing better in my book than to watch gifted athletes playing the game just for the love of the game.

[Titan Q]

Washington to me is the best D3 team Hope's played in the last 8 years, right next to last years version of the Bears.  It was always going to be a tough task to beat them, I'm just glad Hope got a second crack at them.

sac, I'm not sure what great teams Hope has played over the course of the last 8 years, but my guess is there's gotta be some team in there that was as good or better.  Remember, this Wash U team did not win their conference...and they needed overtime to beat both Augustana and Buena Vista in the NCAA tournament.

Having seen Wash U play three times this season before the Final Four, I can tell you that you saw the '07-08 Bears at their absolutely best.  Those of us in Salem saw a very good team raise its level in amazing fashion.  The Bears played almost flawlessley for the final 60 minutes in Salem.  My guess, however, is that this Wash U team was really no better than, say, the last great Calvin team or one of those Albion teams a few years back, or even some great Hope non-conference opponent from the last eight years.

[Stinger]

Enough nonsense......

The old Dick Vitale cliche is that you need a good point gaurd play to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.  I don't think its crazy to think that applies to Division III as well.

Do you need good PG play, or just a couple of DI transfers?

"We've all had a great run. Jesse (Reimink) has one more year and I wish him the best of luck," Vanderheide said. "Coming here as Division I transfers (Vanderheide from Canisius and Van Solkema from Eastern Michigan) we knew we could play here and make a run deep into the tournament.

Glenn just couldn't seal the deal on his Rowanesque run.

[Titan Q]

Glenn just couldn't seal the deal on his Rowanesque run.

Rowanesque?  Rowan had four DI Prop 48 guys.  Dasher from Farleigh Dickinson, Poles from St. Joseph, Harris from Villanova, and someone else (can't recall).  These guys had sat out their first year at the DI level per NCAA rules, completed their DI eligibility, and then transfered to D3 Rowan, as a D3 loophole at the time allowed it.

You're not comparing Hope, with Vanderheide and Van Solkema, to the '96 Rowan team are you?

[Pat Coleman]

There's been some bitterness on this board, let's just say, Q ...

[Titan Q]

There's been some bitterness on this board, let's just say, Q ...

I'll say.

I mean...Rowan??

[almcguirejr]

I've had a few days to take things in, think about Friday and Saturday, analyze some things in my head, and it occurred to me how odd Friday felt.  It felt to me Hope was really scrambling to find minutes, to find lineups.  I knew they were in foul troubles, I knew it was big, I knew it kept the front line divided for a large portion of the game.  But I didn't know just how much untill I got home and could look at some boxscores.

Earlier in the season Hope played Roanoke in Florida and probably faced as much foul trouble as they would all season, if I remember correctly Hope's frontline that day only played a little over 14 minutes together.  Thats a pretty small number by my estimation, somehow Hope battled through it and won a tough ball game on the road.

For Friday's game vs Washington I came up with this......Hope's frontline of Reimink, Vanderheide and Klein played a total of 9:28 together.  I have nothing other than the Roanoke game to compare that to since I rarely find a reason to even check that number out.  But less than 1/4 of a game seems amazing, I don't believe too many teams are much like themselves playing that few minutes together.

It wasn't just a single guy missing either, for 9:59 of the game, Hope played without 2 of those 3 guys.  Its really kind of amazing Hope was even in this game when you think about it.

Hope's 5 best players were its starting 5 of VanSolkema, Wolfe, Reimink, Vanderheide and Klein.  The starting 5 for Hope played together for only 8:44.  Its really no wonder it felt like Hope was playing with a hand tied behind its back, because infact they virtually were.

Ryan Klein's defense down the stretch of the season was amazing to watch.  You could argue he won the MIAA tournament with his steller play, taking away Desmond Young and Derek Griffin in the second halves of those games.  In the NCAA's he picked-up Nate Stahl in the second half and took away a big part of Capital's offense.  Against OWU he was the man defender on Dustin Rudegair, helping hold him to 3 points.  Against Wheaton he again was part of the team effort to slow down Kent Raymond, holding the all-american to a handfull of points and only a couple of FG attempts in the second half.

Vs Washington however Klein faced his toughest test in Troy Ruths.  Unfortunately the whistles came often enough to limit Ryan to only 21 minutes of action.  In those 21 minutes he held his own, holding the all-american to 13 points, some I'm not certain he was responsible for, as WashU forced quite a few switches. 

By the time Ruths picked up foul #1, Hope was already in foul trouble with 2 on Vanderheide and Klein, by foul #2, Klein and Vanderheide each had 3.  Foul #3 occured with just over 12 minutes left, not much concern at that point, most of the damage was done.

I don't think its really any surprise that when Klein fouled out, Troy Ruths scored the next 8 points of the game for WashU and Hope's chances were pretty much paralyzed at that point.

I do give WashU credit, they played the foul game, and attacked Hope during some key moments, most evident going after Vanderheide and a third foul, and latter going after Klein after his 4th and Reimink when it so obvious he was dead tired.

My greatest fear coming into this game was Hope getting in foul trouble because that really was where a weakness in this team was, for the most part they stayed out of it this year.  I do feel pretty strongly Hope's foul trouble played a major roll in the outcome, they had a hard time coping with WashU's agression and it showed.  I guess the question never to be answered is how much of that came from Hope having to back off.

It was just a little disappointing to have to play that kind of game in such a big moment.  Overall Hope battled through it all as best they could.  Hope had only 7 disqualifications this year from fouling out.......3 occurred vs Washington.

It didn't help much this afternoon when I listened to Troy Ruths on hoopsville talking about the weekend........and this quote, said in a joking sort of way about all his trips to the free-throw line.  "Yeah, I really liked those officials".

Just another tiny dagger in an already broken heart.

Who's bitter?