Quote from: sac on May 15, 2014, 02:59:42 pm

4 tweets from Holland Sentinel reporter Michael Applegate


Michael Appelgate ‏@mappelgate206 20m
Former Hope bball coach Glenn Van Wieren “I’m very sorry that this has happened to Matt and Hope college... (1/3)

"He was everything I wanted in an assistant and when he became head coach I was very excited... (2/3)

This is something they decided between the two of them (Hope & Matt Neil)." (3/3) #Hopebasketball

Van Wieren was adamant he has no idea why Neil left, and said that information deserves to be private. #Hopebasketball

If GVW has no idea what is going on, how does he know that the information is of a nature that needs to be private? 

My conclusion is that this was initiated by the college and not Coach Neil.  When an employee/coach resigns on their own, the communication always sounds very different that this.  Also, it seems that there was nothing so serious/scandalous that it couldn't wait until the academic year and commencement were complete before making this move. I have no idea what Coach Neil's relationship with President Knapp is like, but this is quite coincidental with the conclusion of the president's first year on campus.  Obviously at a place like Hope the men's BB coach is a high profile position that represents the school to the school's constituents and needs to be on the same page with the president and board.  The final three games of the MN era end up being three embarrassments for Hope, all at DeVos.  At a high profile D1 school this may be a factor for a forced resignation of the coach, but I can't imagine that the team's performance had anything to do with it.  Overall, his four years at the helm were quite successful in the W-L column and in tourney bids.  On the surface to me as a casual fan, I would say that MN has represented Hope very well and I wish him well both personally and with any future coaching career.

As a dreamer, I started working out Hope's chances of hosting the next round and realized they are much better than I would have thought... On merit, they would be fourth in line (Washington, IWU, and Wooster ahead of them)

However, Washington to Wooster is 519 miles, and we know the NCAA will avoid paying for flights whenever possible. If all four #1 seeds win, the next round will almost for surely have to be at Illinois Wesleyan (merit, central location, nice gym, etc.)

But IWU is the only #1 seed in this quadrant that will have to beat a higher ranked team (d3hoops.com) in order to move on (St. Norbert)... If St. Norbert beats IWU and the four teams moving on are Wooster, Washington, St. Norbert, and Hope, Hope is the only school that the other three can get to without flying.

Quote from: sac on October 29, 2013, 04:31:35 pm

I just noticed our friends from Finlandia open their season at Grinnell on Nov. 15.

What may be even more interesting is when our friends from the College of Faith travel to Grinnell in early January.

Quote from: almcguirejr on September 09, 2013, 11:04:44 am

Quote from: sac on September 08, 2013, 02:51:59 am

That is not me btw.

But, is that your handwriting?

My handwriting is much more elegant.


I suspect this morning a file folder arrived on the desk of Calvin's Minister of Rivalry containing a copy of "The Master Plan", a list of future College Game Day locations and suggestions on sign topics, all of them including a 4 letter word.

Quote from: oldknight on February 24, 2013, 12:35:30 am

Quote from: SKOT on February 23, 2013, 08:09:15 pm

The hip-thursting kid in a sumo costume is a nice touch.  You stay classy San Diego!

He was right next to me for several minutes of the first half, repeatedly obstructing my view. I told my wife if he came back after halftime I was going to take out my pocket knife and puncture the suit. Seriously. He must have overheard because I never saw him again.

Watch you, he's coming for you...

Quote from: neilrocks on February 20, 2013, 11:01:13 am

However, on the offensive side (I realize scoring is down), there are several things that happen, that did not happen 20 years ago too:

1.  Carrying or palming of the ball - this trend is alarming, you can basically pick up the ball on your 1st step and not get called for it.

2.  Travelling - you are more permitted at least an additional 1/2 step now days versus years ago.  I would guess to say that travelling in the technical sense aka. by the rulebook, occurs in about every 3rd possession now days.

3.  Illegal screens - with the domination of the high pick and roll game, these type of screens are more common place now than a good solid "within the rules" screen.

4.  Continuation - officials allow at least one add't step now for the continuation of a play/basket after a foul.  BTW, travelling occurs most of the time on these type of plays too.  In last nights, IU/MSU game I can think of 4-5 situations where this occurred.  Not in all the situations did the basket go in, but it would have counted if it did.  20 years ago, if you fouled a player near the free line or wing, he "never" got a continuation call.  Now it is common place.

All good thoughts, imagine how defensive the game would be without these 'advantages' to the offense.