2011-12 Season in Review

Flying Dutchmen Move a Step Closer to MIAA Championship (2/1/12)
Box
The Flying Dutchmen widened their lead in the MIAA standings to three games by winning a hard-fought road game over Adrian on Wednesday night, 64-47. Coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen, ranked second in the nation among NCAA Division III teams, extended their winning streak to 15 in-a-row. Hope is 9-0 in the MIAA and 19-1 overall.

Hope led just 29-27 at halftime, but scored the first 11 points of the second half to take advantage. Adrian did not score for the first seven minutes of the second half and ended the game shooting only 23%. David Krombeen led Hope with 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including 4-for-4 from three point range. Nate Snuggerud was the only other player in double figures with 10 points. Hope had 10 blocked shots in the game and was 20-for-23 on free throws. The Flying Dutchmen continue on the road Saturday afternoon at Albion.

Flying Dutchmen Win Behind Hot-Hand Shooting (1/28/12)
Box
Ranked among the best shooting teams in the nation, the Flying Dutchmen continued with the hot hand in defeating Alma 104-77 before a soldout DeVos Fieldhouse crowd on Saturday. Opening the second half of the conference schedule, coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen improved to 8-0 in the MIAA and to 18-1 overall as they extended their winning streak to 14 in-a-row. The Flying Dutchmen shot 59% (41/70) in the game led by sophomore center Nate Van Arendonk who was 9-for-10 from the floor. For the second consecutive game, junior Nate Snuggerud made 10 baskets as he scored a career-best 31 points over just 24 minutes of play.

Snuggerud's Career-High 28 Extends Hope Win Streak to 13 (1/25/12)
Box Score
Midway thru the conference season the Flying Dutchmen have a commanding two-game lead after posting an 85-62 victory over host Trine on Wednesday night. Coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen, ranked third nationally among NCAA Division III teams, extended their winning streak to 13 in-a-row. Hope is 7-0 in conference games and 17-1 overall. Junior Nate Snuggerud scored a collegiate career-high 28 points on 10-for-15 shooting. He was the only Hope player to scored in double figures. He had a double-double with 10 rebounds. Entering the game with the nation's second best field goal average, the Flying Dutchmen maintained their accuracy shooting 54%. Hope dominated the board with a 41-22 rebound advantage.

Flying Dutchmen Expand Lead in MIAA Race (1/21/12)
Box Score
The Flying Dutchmen widened their lead in the MIAA race to two games with a decisive 84-53 victory over visiting Olivet on Saturday night. Coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen extended their winning streak to 12 in-a-row to improve to 6-0 in the MIAA and 16-1 overall. Every other team in the MIAA has at least two league losses. Senior David Krombeen achieved a collegiate milestone by surpassing 1,000 career points. He scored 16 points to raise his career total to 1,006. Earlier this season teammate Peter Bunn achieved the same milestone and with eight points against Olivet now has 1,046. Game honors went to Nate Snuggerud with 17 points.

Comeback Sparks Dutchmen in Win Over Calvin (1/18/12)
Photo Gallery / Watch Coach Matt Neil's Post-Game Interview
Box Score
A DeVos Fieldhouse record crowd witnessed one of the biggest comebacks in the history of the storied Hope/Calvin rivalry Wednesday night as the favored Flying Dutchmen topped the upset-minded Knights 81-65 to remain unbeaten in the MIAA race. Coach Matt Neil's nationally ranked Flying Dutchmen are 15-1 overall with an 11-game winning streak.

The game was witnessed by a DeVos crowd of 3,675, a regional television audience and worldwide through an internet stream.

In a tale of two halves, the Flying Dutchmen turned up the defense after trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half as the Knights shot 64%, including 5-for-6 from three-point range. The aggressive Flying Dutchmen limited the Knights to just 28% shooting in the second half.

It took until midway in the second half for the Flying Dutchmen to get back into the game. Peter Bunn's two free throws broke a 57-57 tie at 11:21. Four minutes later Hope was ahead 73-59 and on their way to another Rivalry win. Hope now leads the alltime series by six games.

Seniors David Krombeen and Peter Bunn sparked the offense with 21 and 20 points respectively. Krombeen is now within 10 points of reaching 1,000 over his collegiate career while Bunn added to his milestone total which is now 1,028. Nate Snuggerud added 17 points, including 13 in the second half. Colton Overway was credited with eight assists.

Flying Dutchmen Extend Winning Streak to 10 In-a-Row (1/14/12)
Box
The Flying Dutchmen extended their winning streak to 10 in-a-row by topping Kalamazoo 88-67 on Saturday. It was a game of notable individual accomplishments for coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen who improved to 14-1 overall and 4-0 in the MIAA. Senior Peter Bunn became the 34th player in Hope men's basketball history to reach 1,000 career points. He reached the milestone on his third basket of the game and with a 14-point effort raised his career total to 1,008. He also finished with a double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds. Sophomore Nate Van Arendonk recorded his first collegiate double-double with career highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures were Nate Snuggerud with 15 points and Colton Overway with 10. Hope ended with a 46-26 advantage in rebounds and shot 54% for the game, including 66% in the second half.

Flying Dutchmen All Alone Atop MIAA Standings (1/11/12)
Box
The Flying Dutchmen gained sole possession of first place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) race by topping Albion 78-61 Wednesday. In a showdown of unbeaten league rivals, the nationally ranked Flying Dutchmen extended their winning streak to nine-in-a-row and overall mark to 13-1. Hope stands 3-0 in the conference, a game ahead of Adrian, Albion and Trine who are each 2-1.

Hope's defense keyed a late first half rally. Albion led 21-20 with seven minutes remaining but Hope went on a 21-7 run to gain a 41-28 halftime advantage.The Flying Dutchmen led by as many as 27 points in the second half.
Senior David Krombeen achieved a milestone as he surpassed 400 career assists while senior Peter Bunn inched closer to 1,000 career points with a 13-point performance that brought him to 994. Krombeen led all scorers with 16 points while junior Colton Overway followed with 12. Sophomore center Nate Van Arendonk hauled in 10 rebounds, including eight off the defensive board.

The Flying Dutchmen forced Albion to make 20 turnovers highlighted by 15 steals. Hope shot 56% from the floor to maintain their high nationally ranking. Hope entered the game ranked seventh nationally in field goal accuracy with a season average of 51%.

Flying Dutchmen Swat Their Way to Victory (1/7/12)
Box Score
The baskets that weren't scored were as much the buzz in DeVos Fieldhouse Saturday as the ones that were scored as the Flying Dutchmen posted a 69-60 victory over Adrian. The game was played before a near-capacity fieldhouse crowd of 3,175 fans. Coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen improved to 12-1 on the season and remain unbeaten in the early MIAA race tied with Albion and Trine at 2-0. Hope plays Albion next.

Sophomore center Nate Van Arendonk blocked a fieldhouse record nine Adrian shots and Hope set a team mark at DeVos with 11 blocks. Hope doesn't have an all-time single game record for blocked shots, but longtime fans could not recall seeing a fete of that magnitude at least in recent years.

Adrian scored the game's first two baskets. Hope's first lead was 8-6 five minutes into the game. The Flying Dutchmen were ahead 33-25 at intermission. Hope's biggest lead was 12 points, but Adrian cut it back to single digits to stay within striking distance until the end.

David Krombeen just missed a double-double finishing with 20 points and nine rebounds. Van Arendonk alsmost just missed a unique double-double, ending with 10 points and nine blocks. Nate Snuggerud added 14 points.

Flying Dutchmen Open League Play With Victory (1/4/12)
Box The Flying Dutchmen opened defense of their MIAA crown by rolling to a 103-78 victory over host Alma on Wednesday night. Coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen extended their winning streak to seven in-a-row and are 11-1 overall heading into an important Saturday home contest against Adrian, a 68-61 victor over Calvin in another Wednesday game.

Five Hope players scored in double figures as the Flying Dutchmen shot a season-best 61% (39-of-64) and overwhelmed the Scots on the boards with a 45-23 rebounding advantage. Twelve players both scored and grabbed a rebound as Hope went over 100 points for the second time this season. Junior Nate Snuggerud led the charge with 21 points followed by David Krombeen 15, Peter Bunn 13, Billy Seiler 10 and Josh Holwerda 10.

Flying Dutchmen Win Thriller in Russ DeVette Finale (12/30/11)
Russ DeVette Holiday Classic Website
Hope 70, Indiana Wesleyan 66 / Hope 84, Marietta 73
Playing their 100th game at DeVos Fieldhouse, the Flying Dutchmen celebrated their seventh consecutive Russ DeVette Holiday Classic championship Friday by edging NAIA power Indiana Wesleyan 70-66 before the third sellout crowd of the season. Senior David Krombeen was voted the tournament's most valuable player for the second consecutive year. He was joined on the all-tournament team by senior Peter Bunn.

The teams were tied 13 times and exchanged the lead on 12 occasions. Trailing 58-55 with 4:53 to play, the Flying Dutchmen went on a six-point run, highlighted by a pair of breakaway baskets by Krombeen and a jumper by Chris Ray. Hope would not look back.

After playing just two of the first 20 minutes because of foul trouble, Krombeen responded with a 15 point second half. Bunn added 14 points, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Hope received excellent play from its bench as Chris Ray, Logan Neil and Josh Holwerda each scored eight points.

On Thursday, in a showdown of nationally ranked teams, the Flying Dutchmen outlasted Marietta, Ohio 84-73. Playing their first game in nearly three weeks, the Flying Dutchmen came out strong to gain a 17-4 lead just six minutes into the contest. Marietta fought back to take a 34-33 advantage at halftime. The teams were tied 43-all five minutes into the second half when Hope went on a 12-3 run to take the lead for good.

The Flying Dutchmen shot a season-best 57% led by Peter Bunn's 8-for-12 performance. Bunn ended with 18 points while David Krombeen added 15 and Colton Overway 11.

The Flying Dutchmen shot a season-best 57% led by Peter Bunn's 8-for-12 performance. Hope as a team this season is shooting an impressive 51%. Bunn ended with 18 points while David Krombeen added 15 and Colton Overway 11.

Flying Dutchmen Win Sentinel Community Tournament (12/10/11)
Sentinel Tournament History
Hope 101, Mount Vernon Nazarene 67 / Hope 76, Marian, Ind. 60
Off to their best start in seven seasons, the Flying Dutchmen captured the championship of the Holland Sentinel Community Tournament defeating Mount Vernon Nazarene 101-67 before nearly 2,900 DeVos Fieldhouse fans on Saturday. Hope is three-for-three in tournament championship games this season having previously won the Grand Rapids Hall of Fame Classic and MIAA/CCIW Challenge.

Coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen are 8-1 heading into a holiday break of nearly three weeks. Hope is off to its best start since the 2005-06 season when the Dutchmen won their first 13 games enroute to a 28-3 record. Saturday's championship was the eighth in the 12 year history of the Sentinel tournament, but the first since 2008.

The Flying Dutchmen maximized their transition-style with 20 fast-break points, including an 18-2 edge off the break in the second half. Hope led 43-30 at halftime and held a 53-36 advantage three minutes into the second half. Four minutes later the score was 69-36 with eight baskets coming off the fast break.

Senior David Krombeen was voted the tournament's most valuable player joining teammate Peter Bunn and Nate Snuggerud on the all-tournament team. Krombeen scored 21 points in the championship game and had seven assists. Bunn added 16 points while Billy Seiler and Snuggerud followed with 11 and 10 respectively. The Flying Dutchmen shot 56% for the game and were credited with 27 assists on 40 baskets. Snuggerud's 10 boards led a 42-24 rebounding advantage.

Flying Dutchmen Advance to Sentinel Championship Game (12/9/11)
Box Score
The Flying Dutchmen will bid for their third tournament championship on the season today after posting a 76-60 victory over visiting Marian, Ind. in the Holland Sentinel Community Tournament on Friday. Coach Matt Neil's Flying Dutchmen, playing at home for the first time in nearly a month, improved to 7-1 on the season.

Hope will meet Mt. Vernon Nazarene, Ohio in Saturday's championship game. Mt. Vernon defeated Purdue-North Central 82-70 in Friday's other game. The Flying Dutchmen have played in the championship game of the Sentinel tournament every year since it started in 2000, but have not claimed the title since 2008.

A strong inside presence, highlighted by a 40-27 rebound advantage, was key in Friday's victory. Junior Nate Snuggerud scored 17 first-half points as the Flying Dutchmen gained a 37-31 lead at intermission. He finished with 24 points while senior teammates Peter Bunn and David Krombeen followed with 16 and 11 points respectively. Hope was credited with 19 assists as Colton Overway and Logan Neil each had five.

Flying Dutchmen Sweep MIAA/CCIW Challenge (12/3/11)
Hope 79, Wheaton 78 / Hope 89, Carthage 59 / History of MIAA/CCIW Challenge
The Flying Dutchmen completed a challenging stretch of road games this weekend by sweeping the MIAA/CCIW Challenge hosted by Calvin College. On Friday coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen edged Wheaton 79-78 and then on Saturday routed Carthage 89-59. Completing a stretch of six straight games on the road, the Flying Dutchmen stand 6-1 on the young season. Hope will close out the month of December with four consecutive home games beginning next weekend with the Holland Sentinel Community Classic.

Senior David Krombeen keyed Hope's weekend success. Against Wheaton he scored a career-high 28 points and came up with a key steal in the closing seconds and against Carthage led a group of five Hope players in double figures with 15 points. Hope shot a season-best 60% in the Carthage victory.

Flying Dutchmen Win Thriller Over Wheaton (12/2/11)
Box Score
The Flying Dutchmen won a thriller over nationally ranked and previously undefeated Wheaton Friday in the opening game of the MIAA/CCIW Challenge hosted by Calvin College. Trailing by three points with 17 seconds remaining, the Flying Dutchmen connected on four free throws to gain the 79-78 victory. Coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen, playing their fifth consecutive game on the road, improved to 5-1 on the young season. Hope is back in action today meeting Carthage, Wisc. at 3:30 p.m., also at Calvin.

The Flying Dutchmen appeared to have squandered a double-digit lead late in the second half when the Thunder rallied to go ahead 76-75 with 1:33 remaining. Wheaton's lead expanded to 78-75 on a pair of free throws at :17. Hope senior David Krombeen took control of the game. He was fouled at :13, made a pair of free throws to put Hope within one point and then stole the in-bounds pass. He flicked it to teammate Colton Overway who was fouled. With nine seconds remaining, Overway hit two free throws to put Hope ahead. Wheaton's last second shot missed.

Krombeen scored a career-best 28 points while Overway tied his career-high with 14 poinbts. Also in double figures was Nate Snuggerud with 12 points.

First Loss is to Division I WMU Broncos (11/30/11)
Box Score
The Flying Dutchmen learned there is indeed a difference between major-level college basketball teams and Division III small-college programs as they bowed to host Western Michigan University 80-58 Wednesday. The loss was Hope's first of the season (4-1). Playing the Western for the first time since the 1950s, coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen were unable to match the Broncos on the boards as the winners held a 55-30 rebound edge. Two minutes into the game the teams were tied 4-4. Three minutes later Western had a 15-4 lead. The Broncos led 41-25 at halftime. Hope came within 12 points in the second half. Billy Seiler led Hope with 14 points while Nate Snuggerud added 11 and Nate Van Arendonk 10.

David versus Goliath? Hope Meets DI Western Michigan (11/30/11)
The Flying Dutchmen will renew a rivalry that has been dormant for half-a-century when it plays NCAA Division I Western Michigan University on Wednesday in Kalamazoo. Tipoff at WMU's University Fieldhouse will be 7 p.m. Hope will be playing a Division I opponent for the first time since the 1991-92 season when the Flying Dutchmen lost to Central Michigan University 109-90 in Mt. Pleasant.

This is a rivalry that started in 1913-14 when WMU was known as Western State. Hope won that inaugural game 35-22. Over the next four decades the teams met almost annually, sometimes twice a season, with Western gaining a 42-14 advantage in the series. They last met in 1950-51 with Western winning 76-56. Hope's last victory over Western occurred in 1940-41 by a 47-43 score.

Wednesday's game will be the home opener for the winless (0-6) Broncos who have lost to the likes of Purdue and Gonzaga. The Flying Dutchmen are unbeaten through their first four games.

MIAA Coaches Honor Peter Bunn as Player of the Week (11/28/11)
Senior Peter Bunn has been named the basketball co-player of the weekend by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) coaches. A senior from Lansing (Lansing Christian HS), scored 43 points in earning tournament Most Valuable Player honors as the Flying Dutchmen won the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Tournament. He scored 17 points and added five steals in a 67-65 victory over Aquinas, then came back the next night with 26 points and eight rebounds in an 80-76 win over Cornerstone. Bunn, who is being honored as Player of the Week for the fourth time in his career, made 59 percent of his shots from the field (13 of 22) and 79 percent of his free throws (15 of 19) for the tournament.

Flying Dutchmen Remain Unbeaten With Holiday Sweep (11/26/11)
Hope 80, Cornerstone 76 / Hope 67, Aquinas 65
The Flying Dutchmen posted a pair of close victories over neighboring rivals this weekend to remain undefeated on the young season. Playing in the 16th annual Grand Rapids Hall of Fame Classic, coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen first edged Aquinas 67-65 and then followed with an 80-76 win over defending NAIA national champion Cornerstone. Hope has now won the Hall of Fame title a leading five times though this is the first by the Dutchmen since 2006.

Senior Peter Bunn, back in the lineup after missing the entire 10-11 season due to injury, was voted the tournament's most valuable player. Against Cornerstone he scored 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds and made just one turnover in 35 minutes of play. Senior teammate David Krombeen joined him on the all-tournament team with a 21-point effort.

Next for the Flying Dutchmen (4-0) is the challenge of playing Division I Western Michigan University (0-6) in Kalamazoo on Wednesday.

Flying Dutchmen Win Hall of Fame Opener (11/24/11)
Stats
The Flying Dutchmen remained unbeaten on the young season by edging Aquinas 67-65 in a semi-final game of the 16th annual Grand Rapids Hall of Fame Classic on Friday night. Coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen will meet host Cornerstone, a 94-77 victor over Calvin in Friday's other game, on Saturday night.

Tied for the eighth time in the game at 22-22, the Flying Dutchmen reeled off seven straight points to take the lead for good although Aquinas stayed within striking distance right until the end. Hope's lead was 31-28 at halftime. Twice in the second half the Hope advantage was 10 points, but the victory wasn't secured until some clutch free throws were made in the final seconds.

David Krombeen led the Dutchmen with 24 points, making 10-of-14 shots while Peter Bunn followed with 17 points and was credited with five steals.

MIAA Basketball Coaches Honor Hope Player (11/21/11)
Hope forward Nate Snuggerud, a junior from Zeeland (Zeeland East HS), is the MIAA basketball co-player of the week. He averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds per game as the Flying Dutchmen opened the season with a pair of victories last week. He scored a career-high 26 points on 12-of-15 shooting from the floor and pulled down 13 boards as Hope handed Rochester its first loss in nine games, 63-45. He then added 18 points and nine rebounds in a 73-56 road victory at Spring Arbor. Snuggerud, who is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time in his career, shot 63 percent from the field (19 of 30) for the week.

Flying Dutchmen Post Road Victory to Stay Unbeaten (11/19/11)
Stats
Beginning a stretch of six consecutive games on the road, the Flying Dutchmen posted a 73-56 victory over Spring Arbor on Saturday night. Coach Matt Neil's Dutchmen are 2-0 after the first week of the season.

The Flying Dutchmen never trailed in the game jumping off to a 12-3 lead and holding a 36-26 advantage at halftime. Junior forward Nate Snuggerud was the leading scorer for the second straight game with 18 points and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Peter Bunn added 13 points while Billy Seiler tallied 11.

Flying Dutchmen Open Season With Victory at DeVos (11/15/11)
Box Score
The Flying Dutchmen opened their season with a 63-55 victory over Rochester, Mich. before a DeVos Fieldhouse crowd of 3,200 fans. Junior Nate Snuggerud scored a career-high 26 points, making 12-of-15, to lead the Flying Dutchmen. He ended with a double-double behind 13 rebounds. Peter Bunn, back in the lineup after missing the 2010-11 season because of illness, played a team-high 35 minutes grabbing 11 rebounds.

A pre-season roster that includes 10 returning players should put the Flying Dutchmen in a position to defend the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) title they won a year ago.

Matt Neil had quite a first season as head coach. The Flying Dutchmen were outright conference champions for the 35th time in school history, competed in the NCAA Division III tournament for the sixth consecutive year and posted a 23-7 overall record.

Pre-season optimism is running high. The roster of 15 players includes one freshman, four sophomores, six juniors and four seniors.

Co-captains of the team will be seniors Nate King of Sterling Heights (Henry Ford II HS), David Krombeen of Grandville (Grandville HS), and Logan Neil of Holland (West Ottawa HS).

The team is bolstered by the return of senior guard Peter Bunn of Lansing (Lansing Christian HS) who missed the 2010-11 season because of illness. He is a two-time All-MIAA honoree (second team as a sophomore and first team as a junior). He led the team in scoring in 2009-10 (16.1 ppg) and has a career scoring average of 11.7 ppg.

David Krombeen was an All-MIAA second team honoree a year ago. He topped the conference in steals (3.29 pg) and ranked second in assists (5.36 pg). His steals average ranked fifth-best in all of Division III.

Krombeen and Logan Neil were named to the 2010-11 Honors Court of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) for outstanding performance in the classroom. Krombeen is a psychology major and Neil is majoring in exercise science.

Other returning letterwinners are junior Chris Ray of Fort Wayne, Ind. (Homestead HS), junior Colton Overway of Holland (West Ottawa HS), junior Chase DeMaagd of Woodland (Barry County Christian HS), junior Nate Snuggerud of Zeeland (Zeeland East HS), junior Josh Holwerda of Gallup, N.M. (Rehoboth HS), and junior Billy Seiler of Chillicotte, Ill. (Illinois Valley Central HS).

Sophomores joining the varsity after a season on the jayvees include Cody Campbell of Swartz Creek (Swartz Creek HS), Craig Toren of Lynwood, Ill. (Illiana Christian HS), and Grant Neil of Holland (West Ottawa HS).

The lone freshman on the varsity is Stephen Wittenbach of Ada (Forest Hills Central HS). Joining the Hope program is sophomore Nate VanArendonk of Grand Haven (Grand Haven HS) who transfered from Division I Central Michigan University.

Logan and Grant Neil are the sons of coach Matt Neil. They are both starters on the Hope soccer team and will not be joining the team until that season concludes.

Unique to this team is that four players have fathers who played basketball at Hope -- Logan and Grant Neil, sons of Matt Neil '82; Josh Holwerda, son of Jim Holwerda '78,; and Nate Van Arendonk, son of Craig Van Arendonk '81.

An early season highlight will be playing Division I Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Hope last played a NCAA Division I team in basketball in 1991.

The season begins with a women's/men's home doubleheader against Rochester, Mich. on Tuesday, Nov. 15. It will be the first of five occasions when the men's and women's teams are at home on the same day. The annual Grand Rapids Hall of Fame Classic (Nov. 25-26 at Cornerstone) will have a new format with pre-determined matchups on both days. It will avoid a potential early Hope/Calvin encounter before the scheduled rivalry games on Jan. 18 (at Hope) and Feb. 11 (at Calvin). The team will not travel for a game outside of Michigan during the regular season.