MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[pointlem]

Hope fans who have endured heartbreaking losses in past years got some redemption today, with an amazing comeback win on this buzzer beating three by Marcus Wourman: https://youtu.be/14PF-IuNoxc?t=6779

The game was the inverse of Hope's last two games, where they faded in the last five minutes. Today they came from 10 points behind with 3.5 minutes to go, and five points behind with less than a minute. As often happens, Marcus shifted to another gear with the game on the line, with his heroics including 22 points. Also noteworthy was frosh Avery Sanchez who, in 21 minutes, played a near-perfect floor game and ended with 13 points on perfect shooting. An essential part of the unlikely win was a 4-point play with 42 second left, as Marcus missed a second free throw, with the rebound going to frosh star Brendan Cargill, who drained a 3 for the last of his 12 points.

Wheaton fans can take heart (and other CCIW teams should be alerted) that this did not look like the Wheaton team that Hope dominated last year, with that ridiculous 46 to 11 halftime advantage. I'd say they have two legitimate all-American candidates in Soren Richardson (despite his 4 of 17 off day) and (today) the even more amazing 6' 8" frosh, Carson Grier, who finished with 24 points. Grier often brought the ball up the court, and could drive and spin to the basket. I expect Wheaton, which led almost the whole game until the last second,  to be a CCIW force this year.

[ziggy]

Calvin has picked up a third commitment from Unity Christian for their 2026 class.
https://x.com/KyBerg3/status/1989893495918924162?t=EBfzZl9OgZ7zuFExW65Pvw&s=19

[sac]

Ben Uhde 6-4 G  Johns Creek, GA has committed to Hope.

[ziggy]

Will Plummer, a guard from Grand Haven, has committed to Calvin.
https://x.com/willplummer100/status/1990582197208953217?t=fpWE0HiXD_rQNe9NsOztxQ&s=19

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Adam Dugener, a 6-0 PG from North Muskegon has commited to Alma

[oldknight]

Calvin comes aways with an 81-66 win over Wisconsin Stout at VNA on Saturday. On the strength of excellent 3-point shooting and going perfect from the stripe, the visitors pretty much controlled the opening 20 minutes, leading 43-37 going into the break. The first part of the second half was back and forth, but beginning at the 12 minute mark, Calvin dominated. The domination began with a 21-1 run that saw a 54-51 deficit turn into a 72-55 Calvin lead, thus terminating Stout's hopes. Calvin played a lot better in the final 20 minutes, and the visitors shot far more poorly from the arc and the free throw line. I don't that was an accident as Stout looked to tire the longer the game lasted. Jalen Overway was his usual beastly self, scoring 21 and grabbing 16 rebounds. Ressler was terrific adding 18, Winkle 12, and Zion Ruckard, who continues to impress, came off the bench to net 11 in 21 minutes.

[TUAngola]

Trine commitment:

Caleb Claerbaut, 6'7 F, Zeeland East HS MI.

[Dark Knight]

Apparently Owen Varnado is playing for D1 Tennessee Tech. He played 17 minutes against Kentucky recently.

[GusD]

North Central @ Hope 🏀 game scheduled for tomorrow afternoon has been postponed.
Rescheduled to 12/17.

[goodknight]

Comfortable win for Calvin (4-1) on Black Friday over Heidelberg, 74-49.
Solid defensive effort to control the Berg's talented backcourt.
Trevon Winkle led the Knights with 21 points. Jalen Overway and Luka Ressler chipped in 13 each.
Calvin hosts UW-Oshkosh next Saturday afternoon.

[oldknight]

Comfortable win for Calvin (4-1) on Black Friday over Heidelberg, 74-49.
Solid defensive effort to control the Berg's talented backcourt.
Trevon Winkle led the Knights with 21 points. Jalen Overway and Luka Ressler chipped in 13 each.
Calvin hosts UW-Oshkosh next Saturday afternoon.

The only thing to add is the great job Calvin defenders did on Heidelberg's Markell Johnson-Nichols, who came into the game shooting 76.9% from 3 point range. Calvin defenders limited the sharpshooter from Reynoldsburg Ohio to a mere 66.7% night from the arc, and the young man's 3-point average has now plummeted to 75% (12-16) shooting this season. Markell's 3-point shooting career started slow as the Heidelberg junior is now shooting 52.9% from the arc, going 39-74 the last 3 seasons

[monsoon]

The only thing to add is the great job Calvin defenders did on Heidelberg's Markell Johnson-Nichols, who came into the game shooting 76.9% from 3 point range. Calvin defenders limited the sharpshooter from Reynoldsburg Ohio to a mere 66.7% night from the arc, and the young man's 3-point average has now plummeted to 75% (12-16) shooting this season. Markell's 3-point shooting career started slow as the Heidelberg junior is now shooting 52.9% from the arc, going 39-74 the last 3 seasons

Reynoldsburg, Ohio: The birthplace of the tomato.

[sac]

The only thing to add is the great job Calvin defenders did on Heidelberg's Markell Johnson-Nichols, who came into the game shooting 76.9% from 3 point range. Calvin defenders limited the sharpshooter from Reynoldsburg Ohio to a mere 66.7% night from the arc, and the young man's 3-point average has now plummeted to 75% (12-16) shooting this season. Markell's 3-point shooting career started slow as the Heidelberg junior is now shooting 52.9% from the arc, going 39-74 the last 3 seasons

Reynoldsburg, Ohio: The birthplace of the tomato.

skeptical, but this sort of checks out.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Found this shared on a different thread: https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2025/11/calvin-university-to-reduce-125-of-faculty-positions-eliminate-multiple-programs.html

Since the full article is behind a paywall - here are some snippets that were shared:

Calvin University will reduce 12.5% of its faculty positions over the next two years, part of a restructuring that also includes the loss or consolidation of multiple academic programs.

Among the programs impacted are several language majors and minors, the journalism minor and the public health major and minor.

Among the biggest changes is the 12.5% overall decrease in faculty positions, which was described as a combination of recommendations by multiple university task forces at work since the 2024-25 school year.

According to Calvin, most of the departures are voluntary and many were identified during budget planning that occurred last year.

Involuntary departures will amount to around 3% of the current full-time faculty workforce. Those impacted have been notified.

The other big change is a reduction of programs, including undergraduate majors and minors and graduate programs.

The following undergraduate programs will be discontinued entirely:

    The French major and minor
    The German minor
    The journalism minor
    The public health major and minor
    The sociology major
    The therapeutic recreation major

In addition, Elzinga wrote that majors and concentrations in the university's Department of Geology, Geography and Environment will be consolidated from nine separate degrees into two majors with two concentrations apiece.

Other departments are revising offerings and workloads, or relocating, like the science education studies program moving into the School of Education.

Also included in Elzinga's communication were four graduate programs slated to be discontinued after a decision during the 2024-25 school year, including the data science, nursing, public administration and public health programs.

Zimmerman said the phase out will happen over time, with initial impacts beginning during the 2026-27 academic year.

[TUAngola]

I...miss...Brooks... (heavy sigh)

However, it's too early to judge this new era of Trine basketball.  I understand it takes time to implement a new system, but man the defense has got to improve.  Back to back games of giving up 95 and 97 points isn't going to win you many games.  Last night it would have been 95 points if not for the bush league act of the Heidelberg player who dribbled in for an uncontested layup while we were walking off the court at the end of the game.  But I digress.  Offensively it's a mixed bag.  Shot selection is so suspect at times.  Flood and Bradshaw just had an awful night, combined 3-19 shooting.  Nate Tucker, who played so well for us the last 2 years, is just lost for the most part.  We don't get him very many touches at all.  I'm hoping he will find some success as the season progresses.  A decent effort would have beaten Heidelberg last night, we got off to a great start, but went downhill the latter part of the 1st half and all of the 2nd.  Giving up 62 points in the second half...ugh.  There is just something off with this team, and I can't quite put a finger on it yet.  The chemistry maybe?  I'm hoping VanderWal gets it figured out.  So many new guys I'm sure it's tough to gel right away.