MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[almcguirejr]

Calvin has to control Krombeen.  It seems like like Tanis always hits a few  big 3's too. 

[Civic Minded]

Hope has won a few sweet games when they've been outrebounded, so I'm not sure what to wish for there. 

IMHO, Hope needs to continue to play as a team, which they have been doing very well lately, and if they do, keeping their composure even when things get a bit rough, someone will rise up and have the game needed to get the "W."  I'm not too concerned about who it will, or needs to be.

That being said, I have a basketball sized knot in my gut, and will be glad when this thing gets started.   

[oldknight]

 
- Kooiker doing the game tonight?

I think that's it.

All kidding aside, to me the stat on which to focus is turnovers. When Calvin gets casual with the ball they run into the kinds of droughts you can't afford to have in any game, especially a rivalry game. When Calvin takes care of the ball they can score as they demonstrated against DePauw. The Tigers aren't a Top 20 team but they aren't bad and for Calvin to go on a 31-6 run to close out a win is an indication of what the Knights can do when they play focused basketball. The fact that Krombeen is coming off a nine steal game does concern me a bit. If he picks off a couple of early ones it could be a tough night for Calvin.

[KnightSlappy]

We know it's going to be a crazy atmosphere. How will the baby Knights react?

Derek Griffin's first rivalry game always stands out to me. The crowd and energy seemed, to me, like it surprised him. He looked lost for that game, and he was having a terrific season.

How will Brink, DeBoer, DeYoung, and Kruis react to their first big minutes? How will Snikkers react to being "the guy" in a rivalry game?

[wiz]

We know it's going to be a crazy atmosphere. How will the baby Knights react?

Derek Griffin's first rivalry game always stands out to me. The crowd and energy seemed, to me, like it surprised him. He looked lost for that game, and he was having a terrific season.

How will Brink, DeBoer, DeYoung, and Kruis react to their first big minutes? How will Snikkers react to being "the guy" in a rivalry game?

Did you say Derek Griffin?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6CjOOXmkJ8

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Hope needs Bowser to have a special night, not so much scoring but on the glass.  Needs one of those 16 and 10 games.   

"one of those" 16 and 10 games?  Bowser has turned in exactly 3 of those in his career.  Tonight will be his 100th game in a Hope uniform.

Calvin needs to outrebound Hope to have a chance tonight.  This will come down to heart as I think Hope has a stronger and more athletic front line.  I think another key stat will be turnover margin in the backcourt.  Brink/Powell is a young combo and Krombeen & friends have been nothing short of awesome lately at forcing turnovers and picking up steals.  Calvin needs to take care of the ball.  Limiting open looks from three point land is also important, and has been a problem area at times for the Knights.  

Danny Rodts stepped up in the last game with a nice double-double against DePauw and we will need him and his senior experience tonight as we go into DeVos.  Both he and Bowser have been inconsistent this year and the winner of that matchup tonight is key as well.  

Lastly, depth will play a role.  I think Calvin's rotation runs deeper right now, particularly due to injuries and other defections on the Hope side.  If Calvin can use its athleticism to run and also force the tempo more than they have recently, they could have more legs at the end.  

[ziggy]

Hope needs Bowser to have a special night, not so much scoring but on the glass.  Needs one of those 16 and 10 games.   

"one of those" 16 and 10 games?  Bowser has turned in exactly 3 of those in his career.  Tonight will be his 100th game in a Hope uniform.

Lloyd Christmas thinks those are pretty good odds

[calvin_grad]

My prediction, based on nothing but a hunch - Calvin has a lot of turnovers early and falls down by 15 or so.  They battle back to about 6 down, but lose by 12 (74-62).

[KnightSlappy]

This hit the OAC board, but we all should be aware of it as well.

Terrible news out of John Carroll: http://www.jcusports.com/news/2011/1/5/MBB_0105113443.aspx?path=mbball

Keep the family and school in your prayers.

[FyteOnne]

Albion 77
Olivet 69

What a game!

[sflzman]

Scots beat Trine in a thriller 76-75...

Scots came back with a late rally to win, lead by the Shepherd Blue Jay connection in Silverthorn and Lackie...

Freshman Brandon Krause looked good today as well.

Trine's really 1 dimensional, as in Ian Jackson can score from the left side - But never goes right - and Scott Rodgers is decent too, but really is not a go-to-guy...

[Happy Calvin Guy]

Hope needs Bowser to have a special night, not so much scoring but on the glass.  Needs one of those 16 and 10 games.   

"one of those" 16 and 10 games?  Bowser has turned in exactly 3 of those in his career.  Tonight will be his 100th game in a Hope uniform.

Calvin needs to outrebound Hope to have a chance tonight.  This will come down to heart as I think Hope has a stronger and more athletic front line.  I think another key stat will be turnover margin in the backcourt.  Brink/Powell is a young combo and Krombeen & friends have been nothing short of awesome lately at forcing turnovers and picking up steals.  Calvin needs to take care of the ball.  Limiting open looks from three point land is also important, and has been a problem area at times for the Knights.  

Danny Rodts stepped up in the last game with a nice double-double against DePauw and we will need him and his senior experience tonight as we go into DeVos.  Both he and Bowser have been inconsistent this year and the winner of that matchup tonight is key as well.  

Lastly, depth will play a role.  I think Calvin's rotation runs deeper right now, particularly due to injuries and other defections on the Hope side.  If Calvin can use its athleticism to run and also force the tempo more than they have recently, they could have more legs at the end.  

Bowser not getting to 16/10?  check.
Calvin outrebound? BIG check.
Take care of the ball? nope...some work to do here
Rodts have a big game?  Huge.  30 pts.
Bench depth outscore Hope? check.

BIG win for the Knights.  This is the first Hope game I've watched this year.  Let's just say there is visually a big difference between a GVW coached team and a Matt Neil coached team.  I think you can all see what I'm talking about.  It's not just Calvin shooting the lights out, it's about toughness and discipline and there was a big difference tonight.  Kudos to KVS too, he outcoached Neil by a wide margin tonight. 

Go Knights!

[calvin_grad]

My prediction, based on nothing but a hunch - Calvin has a lot of turnovers early and falls down by 15 or so.  They battle back to about 6 down, but lose by 12 (74-62).

Just like I called it!   

[realist]

                   Calvinm                 Hopem
Field goals 32-60 53.3%   32-64 50.0%
3-point FGs 11-16 68.8%   7-23 30.4%
Free throws 20-24 83.3%   10-16 62.5%
Reb (O-D)   46 (16-30)         21 (6-15)
Turnovers 20                       13
Last FG 2nd-01:25         2nd-00:56
Large lead 14 (2nd-04:27)   2 (1st-14:42

Not sure I have ever seen this kind of stat sheet in a Calvin Hope game.

I hope we see more of the twin towers.  

[ziggy]

                  Calvinm                 Hopem
Field goals 32-60 53.3%   32-64 50.0%
3-point FGs 11-16 68.8%   7-23 30.4%
Free throws 20-24 83.3%   10-16 62.5%
Reb (O-D)   46 (16-30)         21 (6-15)
Turnovers 20                       13
Last FG 2nd-01:25         2nd-00:56
Large lead 14 (2nd-04:27)   2 (1st-14:42

Not sure I have ever seen this kind of stat sheet in a Calvin Hope game.

I hope we see more of the twin towers.  

A rebounding disparity like that usually manifests itself in another stat like a disproportionate number of field goal attempts but Hope actually took more. I suppose Calvin's rebounding margin was neutralized by losing the turnover margin but that still doesn't seem like it should tell the whole story. In the end, it doesn't really matter anyway.

Credit Hope for battling back from multiple double-digit deficits but even more credit goes to Calvin for building it back up each and every time. Not a bad way to start the MIAA season 1-0.