MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[thealmascots]

It will be interesting to see if Calvin figures out that leaving Reimink wide open on the 3 point line means that is an automatic 3.  Pretty much the whole Calvin roster last season was too slow at getting out to defend the 3.    That was a big difference between Calvin and Hope last season.  Calvin often had to force long shots with someone in their face because they didn't move without the ball, although Veldhouse and Griffin were good at making those types of shots at times, it will eventually not work in the long-run.     ....while Hope had everyone moving without the ball much more leaving Reimink and the dozens of other Hope players who could shoot the lights out wide open on the perimeter.

All valid questions and ponderings about Calvin which I have been wondering about for a number of years now.  Seems to be how KVS' offensive system works. 
A new question though would ask about the health of KVS' program.  A handful of players from last years squad are still on campus but have chosen not to play and word is that there are not enough freshman to field a JV squad without having sophmores play JV (I don't recall Sophs ever playing JV at Calvin).  This begs the question, why doesn't anyone want to play at Calvin, especially with this spectacular new arena almost ready to go?

[calvin_grad]

A handful of players from last years squad are still on campus but have chosen not to play...

Who are you referring to with that statement?

[realist]

tas: If you look at previous posts you will see several of the players from last years squad are either injured or dealing with health issues.  Josh Engelsma left the team to get married, and plans on attending seminary. A fourth player from last year is studying abroad for a semester.  The situation isn't quite as dire as you make it seem.
Granted not everyone buys into the system KVS runs, and even many of us loyal Calvin posters voice our discontent from time to time.  However, to imply no one wants to "play at Calvin" is a bit of a stretch.  Last time I checked KVS has a decent winning percentage during his time at Calvin, and has a National Championship ring he can wear if he wants.  The later is something only one other men's coach in MIAA history can claim.  BTW that coach also was at Calvin at the time.  
Calvin struggles with the same issues all D3 schools do in recruiting talented players.  All MIAA schools have lost good potential players to scholarship programs in the last 20 years.
Your comments are interesting when this very board has selected one of Calvin's players as a preseason All American.  Not bad for a "nobody".

[NW Hope Fan]

No use playing around with you guys... 

[Civic Minded]

No kidding.  I read TAS's question as an honest one, which didn't deserve the sniping it got.  Must we start this already?

[hopehoopfan]

Your comments are interesting when this very board has selected one of Calvin's players as a preseason All American.  Not bad for a "nobody".

One great player does not a season or program make!

[thealmascots]

tas: If you look at previous posts you will see several of the players from last years squad are either injured or dealing with health issues.  Josh Engelsma left the team to get married, and plans on attending seminary. A fourth player from last year is studying abroad for a semester.  The situation isn't quite as dire as you make it seem.
Granted not everyone buys into the system KVS runs, and even many of us loyal Calvin posters voice our discontent from time to time.  However, to imply no one wants to "play at Calvin" is a bit of a stretch.  Last time I checked KVS has a decent winning percentage during his time at Calvin, and has a National Championship ring he can wear if he wants.  The later is something only one other men's coach in MIAA history can claim.  BTW that coach also was at Calvin at the time.  
Calvin struggles with the same issues all D3 schools do in recruiting talented players.  All MIAA schools have lost good potential players to scholarship programs in the last 20 years.
Your comments are interesting when this very board has selected one of Calvin's players as a preseason All American.  Not bad for a "nobody".

Thank you NW Hope and Civic Minded for the support.  I thought I was simply posing a reasonable question.  Englesma was one of the players I was referring to as well Schuster and Van Harn.  I think there is another, but I can't come up with the name.  My question to think about though was not only those guys not coming back but the question about the freshmen as well.  I heard Hope had nearly 40 players out while Calvin had an embarrasing number of freshman (7??) even show up for the first tryout meeting.  Yes, KVS has a championship ring, but that is starting to become a long time ago.  He does deserve some slack based on past record, but when do you look at a situation and say "that's alarming?"  Hope and Calvin are very similar schools and Hope actually costs more, so why do they have a stockpile of players who want to play (and at a pretty high level, I might add), while Calvin is struggling to field a varsity and JV team??

[oldknight]

Calvin shows 25 hoopsters on their two rosters--14 varsity and 11 on JV. I don't know how many actually tried out. Just because Hope had nearly 40 players try out does that mean Calvin's program is in shambles? What am I missing in this debate?

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Calvin shows 25 hoopsters on their two rosters--14 varsity and 11 on JV. I don't know how many actually tried out. Just because Hope had nearly 40 players try out does that mean Calvin's program is in shambles? What am I missing in this debate?

I certainly don't think the numbers mean Calvin's program is in shambles. But if the numbers being thrown around are true I certainly think its amazing so many more freshmen are trying out at Hope compared to Calvin. Calvin has a brand new arena, a strong history, and a fan base that shows up to at least one game every year . It does RAISE the question why? Granted, it may be a simple one year aberration so until a longer trend develops I doubt its meaningful.

[hopehoopfan]

Calvin shows 25 hoopsters on their two rosters--14 varsity and 11 on JV. I don't know how many actually tried out. Just because Hope had nearly 40 players try out does that mean Calvin's program is in shambles? What am I missing in this debate?

There are some very talented young men out of that 40 who did not make either of the teams at Hope. Guys who did not advance from the JV after two years that would have no trouble whatsoever making every other MIAA team.

[realist]

OK:  I don't think you are missing anything.  Most people will probably have Calvin as one of the top 3 picks in the MIAA again this season so shambles can't be all that bad.
TAS:  Yes, CM, and NWH might seem to be your supporters at the moment, but don't ever post a negative thought about their team.  p.s. Koetsier

[hopehoopfan]

Calvin shows 25 hoopsters on their two rosters--14 varsity and 11 on JV. I don't know how many actually tried out. Just because Hope had nearly 40 players try out does that mean Calvin's program is in shambles? What am I missing in this debate?

I certainly don't think the numbers mean Calvin's program is in shambles. But if the numbers being thrown around are true I certainly think its amazing so many more freshmen are trying out at Hope compared to Calvin. Calvin has a brand new arena, a strong history, and a fan base that shows up to at least one game every year . It does beg the question why? Granted, it may be a simple one year aberration so until a longer trend develops I doubt its meaningful.

Could it be more the desire to be part of a program that just last year finished 3rd in the Nation?

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Calvin shows 25 hoopsters on their two rosters--14 varsity and 11 on JV. I don't know how many actually tried out. Just because Hope had nearly 40 players try out does that mean Calvin's program is in shambles? What am I missing in this debate?

I certainly don't think the numbers mean Calvin's program is in shambles. But if the numbers being thrown around are true I certainly think its amazing so many more freshmen are trying out at Hope compared to Calvin. Calvin has a brand new arena, a strong history, and a fan base that shows up to at least one game every year . It does beg the question why? Granted, it may be a simple one year aberration so until a longer trend develops I doubt its meaningful.

Could it be more the desire to be part of a program that just last year finished 3rd in the Nation?

Or the program that finished 3rd last year AND lost 4/5ths of its starters?

[NW Hope Fan]

OK:  I don't think you are missing anything.  Most people will probably have Calvin as one of the top 3 picks in the MIAA again this season so shambles can't be all that bad.
TAS:  Yes, CM, and NWH might seem to be your supporters at the moment, but don't ever post a negative thought about their team.  p.s. Koetsier

Careful there my man... Judgement and karma fairies run rampant in this arena, but I think CM and myself have been fairly even keeled for the most part in this room.

And, I wasn't supporting TAS in my comment, although I do now. My not wanting to "play" was based on an overreaction I got to kidding about football... Karma fairies running wild this early in the pre-pre-season reminds me of how thin skinned folks can be.

Peace!

[hopehoopfan]

Calvin shows 25 hoopsters on their two rosters--14 varsity and 11 on JV. I don't know how many actually tried out. Just because Hope had nearly 40 players try out does that mean Calvin's program is in shambles? What am I missing in this debate?

I certainly don't think the numbers mean Calvin's program is in shambles. But if the numbers being thrown around are true I certainly think its amazing so many more freshmen are trying out at Hope compared to Calvin. Calvin has a brand new arena, a strong history, and a fan base that shows up to at least one game every year . It does beg the question why? Granted, it may be a simple one year aberration so until a longer trend develops I doubt its meaningful.

Could it be more the desire to be part of a program that just last year finished 3rd in the Nation?

Or the program that finished 3rd last year AND lost 4/5ths of its starters?

Probably true, with the promise of contributing early! But don't underestimate their ability. I think even with the graduation of last years seniors, Hope will be very good. Bunn may fill the void of DVS very admirably and quickly. The sophomores from last year are very talented and just need some time to gel. Snikkers will add a large presence in the middle and with his outside shooting. They may not be 3rd in the nation, but they will be at or near the top of the MIAA when all is said and done!