Grand Rapids, MI – The Calvin University men's basketball plays in a home conference matchup against Olivet College on Saturday at Van Noord Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
The Teams: The Knights enter the game with a 6-6 overall record and are 0-1 in conference play Calvin most recently fell to conference opponent Albion College Wednesday night by a score of 93-62. The Comets enter the game with 3-9 overall record and an 0-1 league mark. Olivet fell at Hope College by a score of 89-84 on Wednesday night.
The Coaches: Bill Sall is in his 1st season as head coach of the Calvin men's basketball program. He previously served as head coach of the Northern Michigan men's basketball program for six years and the head coach of the Ferris State men's basketball program for 11 years. Sall was a two-time All-American and two-time MIAA MVP at Calvin helping lead the Knights to the NCAA III Final Four as a senior in 1990. He ranks third on the Calvin career scoring list with 2,003 points. Sam Hargraves is in his 1st season as the head coach of the Olivet men's basketball program. He was recently the Alma College head coach for eight seasons. Hargraves played three season of varsity basketball at Calvin and was named to the All-MIAA Second Team in 1998.
The Players: The Knights have three players averaging double digits in scoring. Derrick DeVries is averaging 24.3 points per game while teammate Thad Shymankski is averaging 15.5. Alex Bos is now averaging 12.5 points per game while also averaging 7.8 rebounds a game. The Comets have three players averaging double digits in scoring; Shawn Pardee (19.4 ppg), Chris Martin (12.2 ppg) and Eddie Thigpen (12.2 ppg).
Tale of the Tape: Points per game – Calvin 75.8, Olivet 73.3; opponents' points per game – Calvin 78.6, Olivet 82.3; field goal percentage – Calvin 44.7, Olivet 44.5; three-point percentage – Calvin 37.2, Olivet 34.6; free throw percentage – Calvin 79.2, Olivet 68.6; rebounds per game – Calvin 35.7, Olivet 38.7; assist-to-turnover ratio – Calvin 1.03, Olivet 0.65.
Tops in the MIAA: Derrick DeVries leads in the MIAA in scoring at 24.3 points per game, and Alex Bos leads the league in rebounds with 7.8 per game.
Scoring Offense: The Knights are fifth in the MIAA in scoring offense at 75.8 points per game. Olivet is ranked eighth (73.3 ppg).
Recent History: Calvin is 143-34 against Olivet all-time. Olivet won both meetings in the regular season last year, winning 85-81 at Calvin in January and topping the Knights at Olivet 85-71 in February.
Coverage: Live statistics and live video of the game will be available at Calvinknights.com
Social Media: Calvin athletics is represented on Facebook (Calvin Knights), Twitter (@CalvinKnights) and Instagram (@CalvinAthletics ). Follow all the happenings of Calvin University on social media by using the hashtag "#GoCalvin".
Up Next: Calvin is home against Hope College for an 8 p.m. contest on Wednesday January 15.
