MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Why do so many more young men show up to play basketball at Hope?  It's probably the blue blazers and khaki slacks.  But if not that, maybe...

Calvin ought to start spending some more money on recruiting.

The colleges are required to report this information to the US Dept of Education.
I'd guess the Dept. of Education gives some direction regarding what to report.
Here are some 5 year MIAA averages.

Athletic recruiting budget.
1. Hope $149,562
2. Kzoo $22,579
3. Olivet $20, 743
4. Trine $19,168
5. Alma $18,591
6. Albion $17,061
7. Adrian $12,302
8. Calvin $8,340 (no football)

Budget per athlete
1. Hope $300
2. Kzoo $76
3. Trine $53
4. Olivet $45
5. Alma $43
6. Adrian $33
7. Albion $31
8. Calvin $27

I'm sure there's some variance in how different schools interpret the instructions for what to report, but that's a pretty big discrepancy between #1 and #2-8.  What does it mean?  I don't know.  Maybe the good folks at Hope are just the most honest.

Those are some fascinating numbers. Even without a football team I find it amazing to think that Calvin doesn't spend more than $8,340 on just postage and printing expenses for mailings to potential sport recruits. Yet alone, gas costs for a trip to see a high school game. I mean just driving around the greater Grand Rapids area with 17 varsity teams (at least twice that many coaches I'd guess) should easily drive a bill beyond $8,340. 

So I guess my point is a strongly agree with Bob's original point. As any good lawyer and accountant could tell you these numbers are strongly influenced by one's interpretation of what "needs" to be reported.

[ziggy]

Why do so many more young men show up to play basketball at Hope?  It's probably the blue blazers and khaki slacks.  But if not that, maybe...

Calvin ought to start spending some more money on recruiting.

No, they need all those guys to tryout so all the assistant coaches have something to do.  That way each Asst can scout one player instead of putting the pressure on a kid of having two Assts watching him at all times.  Plus, it shouldn't take more that two or three of them to shop for the orange and blue striped socks.

[Civic Minded]

Why do so many more young men show up to play basketball at Hope?  It's probably the blue blazers and khaki slacks.  But if not that, maybe...

Calvin ought to start spending some more money on recruiting.

No, they need all those guys to tryout so all the assistant coaches have something to do.  That way each Asst can scout one player instead of putting the pressure on a kid of having two Assts watching him at all times.  Plus, it shouldn't take more that two or three of them to shop for the orange and blue striped socks.

Dang...the secret's out now!   

[realist]

OK:you crack me up.   rof lol.

[GoKnights68]

For the last few years there has been some discussion about KVS's system and whether or not it is a good one.  I didn't always listen at first but I am beginning to now.  A top 2 finish in the MIAA with 3 tournament bids in four years just isn't cutting it at Calvin.  We need to be thinking bigger here.  We are talking about the CALVIN KNIGHTS here! Nothing less than an NCAA banner should be acceptable.

The Calvin situation reminds me a lot of the UM football situation.  This Lloyd Carr offense has been driving me nuts this year!  Run left, run left, run left.  No variation whatsoever.  It is looking like another same-old-same-old 10-2 season for Big Blue with a BCS or Capital One Bowl Bid.  Can't we see something more?  I think it is time to go out and find some new coach with some sort of spread offense that can take the Maize and Blue to the next level.  Here's to wishful thinking!

No Chicken Little, the sky is not falling.

EGADS!

(For the Hope fans: No one should take anything I said in this post seriously)

Calvin did underachieve last season, though.  They beat the national champions, and they never came close to playing that well the rest of the season.  Their offense didn't move without the ball enough.  Their defense didn't play aggressive enough.

Someone can be disappointed in how KVS coached last season, but still be a supporter of him.  I am very disappointed in Rich Rodriguez so far at Michigan, but I still 100% support him and think he is the right guy for the future.

Calvin underachieved big-time in 2003, and they rebounded a good bit in 2004, and then they made the final four in 2005.  I am looking forward to seeing if KVS can do the same and turn this team around.

[goodknight]

Any of the Calvin folks here get a chance to see any of the new guys on varsity?  Specifically, Salo (Northwood transfer), Schnyders (GRCC transfer) or Campbell (GRCC transfer).  Any of these guys have a shot at starting? 

I saw all three of them one steamy evening this summer inside the still-charmless Civic Center. 

Salo is short but very quick and athletic, and he is very likely to see a lot of PT at the point.  Not sure that he starts over the senior Dustin Smith, but he probably has more raw basketball talent -- and once he learns the KVS system and gets comfortable with his teammates, well, who knows.  He started many of Northwood's conference games during his freshman season.  KVS spoke to a group of Calvin alums at a lakeshore luncheon earlier this week, and he was very high on the little guy.

Both Schnyders and Campbell played some with the Baby Knights in the Holland Summer league.  Oldknight will have some analysis of Schnyders, since he saw him play in high school.  KVS seems highly enthusiastic about having Schyders on the roster, but I doubt that he's thinking of him as a starter this season. 

Campbell is a wing who looks to pass before shooting and will help Calvin on the boards in a backup role, unless I'm missing something.

BTW, I've heard that the Knights' big freshman, Ryan Scharps, pulled a hamstring early in the tryouts, so couldn't show his full ability.  It would not be surprising to see him suited up with the varsity before the season is over.

[13wapiti]

Albion has a list of players (25) up on their web site.  Looks like a combined Varsity/JV list at this time. 

[oldknight]

Both Schnyders and Campbell played some with the Baby Knights in the Holland Summer league.  Oldknight will have some analysis of Schnyders, since he saw him play in high school.  KVS seems highly enthusiastic about having Schyders on the roster, but I doubt that he's thinking of him as a starter this season. 

How much Schnyders plays depends entirely on how quickly he adapts to the need to play good defense in the college game. VandeStreek (and pretty much any other MIAA coach) requires his players to both understand the importance of executing their defensive responsibilities within his system, and to play very, very hard while doing so. For most new college players, adapting to defensive responsibilities is a bigger challenge than is offense. If Brad does that well, there is no question in my mind he will play because he is very talented and creative at putting the ball in the hoop. The kid can score.

He's an excellent post scorer because he can abuse a defender (smaller or larger) with a variety of athletic moves down low. He has good footwork, is a good all-around athlete (his family genetic stock is ample), and he runs the floor well. He seems just as comfortable facing the basket as he is posting up, can score from the perimeter if asked to do so and sports a consistent jumper. He also has that one quality that endears himself to coaches when the game is tight and the time is short--he wants the ball in his hands. He's not afraid to shoot the ball when the game is on the line.

When I saw Calvin's roster I was surprised to see Schnyers name because I didn't know he was considering Calvin. I have since learned he contacted Calvin later in the summer and I'm glad to see him on campus. I was also surprised to see his listed roster height to be 6'6" and thought, "My that's generous. Talk about grade inflation."  Since then I have learned Brad grew 2 inches in the last year which will make him an even tougher matchup on the offensive end. Like I wrote earlier, if he adapts to the responsibilities of the college game, he will be an exciting offensive option off Calvin's bench--a potential game changer. If not, he'll be visiting the pine more often than someone with his abilities should.

[wolverinekeith]

BTW, I've heard that the Knights' big freshman, Ryan Scharps, pulled a hamstring early in the tryouts, so couldn't show his full ability.  It would not be surprising to see him suited up with the varsity before the season is over.

Good to know.  I was kinda surprised to see him listed on JV.  The Knights could use his size and (presumably) his talent down low. 

[realist]

Way to go Ok, and GK:    In two (informative, and well  thought out)posts you shot down the growing  "no one wants to play at Calvin" rumor.  I would  choose quality over quantity
of recruits any season.

[hoopdreams]

Unfortunately, after many opportunities to watch lots of hs hoops, as well as last season in the MIAA, iI would say with confidence that Hope has a decidedly favorable edge in both quality and quanity the past 2 recruiting classes.

[Civic Minded]

I had a chance to see Salo play this summer as well, and he is exactly as described.  Very short, but very quick, athletic, and has a killer "3."  He earned my respect, at least based on that one game.  Not sure how he'll do against a team with a tall inside presence, but he's one to watch for.

[MItwoA]

First post....and I'm rolling!

[MIdoubleA]

First post....and I'm rolling!

Welcome

[Knight In The Stan]

Hello Everyone its been a long time for me to post on here and I can say that I have missed all of it but I hope that I am in time for a season of uncertainties. Just wanted to to chime in again and say hello to all and I hope all is well.

SAC I could never blog how you blog, I am overly impressed by your basketball knowledge 

I would also like to throw a late shout out to Coach Turner-You the man!