MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Cornerstone 87 Hope 80 
http://miaa.org/mbb/stats/1213/1223corn.htm

Maybe you had to experience the Wabash/Albion - Siena Heights/Adrian games and all the inner ugliness of those two games to understand why I can't even be even a little mad at the Hope/Cornerstone game.  That was such a well played game for so early in the season.  The difference in the game was probably the handful of Hope turnovers off Cornerstone's press, I've watched Hope win close games before with those same turnovers going the other way. 


Game was tied 12 times and played under a 5 point margin for the majority of the night.  Cornerstone won this with 3 three's in 1:50 seconds that took a one point game to nine and then they held Hope off to the end.  Hope won't be very happy about the offensive rebounds they gave up and surely will not be happy with their overall defensive effort.

Some surprising second half substitutions for Hope, including inserting 4 guys who hadn't played in the first half.  I can only guess they were looking for defense, because Hope didn't play much defense.

[sac]

I think the oddest thing about the AQ/Calvin game was that two teams can play a game with what is usually a score screaming ugly of 58-55 and there be only 22 fouls and one team shoots just one free-throw in the entire contest.

I don't know if other people feel like I do but it sure seems AQ plays above itself more often than not in this tournament.

[almcguirejr]

Calvin will have to play much better tonight.  I think we will find out how good they are defensively.  I was impressed with Cornerstone's guard play and the pressure they put on.  It also seemed like every player on the floor for Cornerstone is a threat.

I didn't like Tyler Kruis just being a jump shooter tonight.  Calvin didn't get much inside.  Snikkers shot selection also left something to be desired.  I am not a fan of Snikkers and Kruis taking 3 point shots.

The Hope - Cornerstone game was enjoyable to watch. Colton Overway played well for Hope handling Cornerstone's press.  I was impressed with Brock Benson, he looks like he will be a very  good player.  I love watching Wes Hudson play for Cornerstone.  I think he is everything you want in a small college guard.  I also was very impressed by freshman, Omari Lewis, from West Michigan Christian.  He was active and did some really good things for Cornerstone.

[GoKnights68]

Calvin at 4-0 for the first time since the 2001-2002 season.

[sac]

full slate of games today

Kalamazoo vs. Manchester, Ind. at Earlham, Ind. (MIAA/HCAC Challenge), 2 p.m.
Adrian at Marygrove, 3 p.m.
Trine at Earlham, Ind. (MIAA/HCAC Challenge), 4 p.m.
Purdue-Calumet, Ind. at Olivet, 5 p.m.
Calvin vs. Cornerstone at Hope (Hall of Fame Classic), 6 p.m.
Aquinas at Hope (Hall of Fame Classic), 8 p.m.
Ohio Northern at Alma, 7 p.m.
Albion vs. Franklin, Ind. at DePauw, Ind., 8 p.m.

League should do well today and Sunday, if not.....argh!

Calvin at 4-0 for the first time since the 2001-2002 season.

wow

[sac]

update:  Manchester 95 Kalamazoo 82 2OT

Adrian 80 Marygrove 55
Trine 88 Earlham 61 - Jackson 26, Rogers 21

Olivet's in a close one late:  http://www.olivetcomets.com/sports/mbkb/livestats

[wiz]

Nice win for the Knights as they move to 5-0 and take bragging rights to this year's HOF, so far.

[KnightSlappy]

Calvin at 4-0 for the first time since the 2001-2002 season.

And without video we're experiencing games at Hope College the same way.

[KnightSlappy]

Jordan Brink apparently has been named GRSHOF Classic MVP. Tom Snikkers also made the All Tournament team.

[wiz]

1) Calvin
2) Cornerstone
3) Hope
4) Aquinas

[sac]

Hope 66 Aquinas 63

Hope escapes.  Chase DeMaagd comes up huge in the final 2 minutes with a couple 3's, a couple big rebounds and a couple big Ft's after Aquinas had thought they'd tied the game at 64  (3 ruled a two)

Aquinas a 68% ft shooting team on the season goes 20-21 against Hope, because of course they did.

[sac]

Franklin 76 Albion 70

Albion came back from 12 down before Franklin pulled away.  Tough loss because it denies Albion the chance for an in-region game with DePauw, instead they get Purdue-North Central.


Overall 6-2 on the day for the league.

[almcguirejr]

A good win tonight.  Calvin trailed only once in this game.  Calvin seemed to have a working margin of 4-9 points until the last 3 minutes of the game.  The last 3 minutes Calvin was a little shaky with a couple of missed free throws by Snikkers, a Powell turnover, and a defensive breakdown that led to Wes Hudson layup to cut the lead to one with 17 seconds to go.  Jordan Brink went 4-4 from the line after that to allow Calvin to hang on for the win.

Bryan Powell had an excellent first half with 13 points.  Mickey DeVries with 9 rebounds in 16 minutes of play.  Calvin had a 40-27 rebounding advantage. David Rietema had 6 assists and a great steal with 7 seconds to go.  The negative stat  of the night were the 20 turnovers.

[goodknight]

The greatest stat of the night -- er, Knight -- is 8 pounds, 10 ounces.
That's the size of the package presented by oldknight's son and daughter-in-law in the form of oldknight's first grandchild -- a bouncing and bruising boy described by OK as a pure power forward who needs just a little seasoning before he takes over for Tom Snikkers in a year or so.
Congrats to my fine friend, and best wishes to young Tyce David (nice middle name, by the way).

[oldknight]

The greatest stat of the night -- er, Knight -- is 8 pounds, 10 ounces.
That's the size of the package presented by oldknight's son and daughter-in-law in the form of oldknight's first grandchild -- a bouncing and bruising boy described by OK as a pure power forward who needs just a little seasoning before he takes over for Tom Snikkers in a year or so.
Congrats to my fine friend, and best wishes to young Tyce David (nice middle name, by the way).

I went straight from Calvin's win at DeVos to visit the youngster's accomodations at Spectrum, promptly and appropriately fitting him with my Calvin BB hat. We discussed the Knights' prospects for the year and he excitedly listened to Grandpa OldKnight retell the game. He only cried once--when I mentioned I had forgotten to bring a signed team basketball for his bassinet.

As for the game, it seems that the biggest difference since last year is Calvin's greatly improved defense. Offense comes and goes but consistently being able to defend is what wins close ball games against good teams. What surprises me most is that the Knights appear to have changed how they defend the interior. For years Calvin would typically double the post immediately after the entry pass was made. Now the double team--if it comes at all--does not occur until after the man with the ball puts it on the floor. I like that change. I also like having experienced big guys who can defend.