Pictured, from left, Hope College men's basketball captains Tyler George, Evan Thomas, and Clayton Dykhouse
Men's Basketball at a Glance
- Head Coach: Greg Mitchell, eighth season
- Roster Size: 18
- Returners: 14
- Returning Starters: 3
- Captains: Clayton Dykhouse, Ty George, Evan Thomas
- 2021-22 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll: Fourth place
- 2021-22 Non-Conference Record: 7-4 overall
- 2020-21 Overall Record: 7-5, 4-2 MIAA (fourth place)
- 2021-22 Season Summary: The Flying Dutchmen head into MIAA play on a three-game winning streak that included a 71-57 victory at home against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on December 18, an 89-84 overtime victory against North Central College (Ill.) on December 28 in Orlando, Fla., and an 87-70 victory against Central College (Iowa) on December 29 in Orlando. Hope’s 7-4 non-conference record is tied for the best among MIAA teams. Two of the Flying Dutchmen’s losses have been by four points.
- 2020-21 Season Recap: In a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hope advanced to the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament before falling at Albion College, 87-83 in double overtime. It was the Flying Dutchmen’s longest game in the MIAA Tournament. Center Preston Granger and guard Tyler George were named to the All-MIAA First and Second Team, respectively. Granger, a D3hoops.com all-region selection, completed his career ranked 19th in Flying Dutchmen history with 1,360 points.
- 2020-21 Academic Honors: Hope claimed the National Association of Basketball Coaches Team Academic Excellence Award. The Flying Dutchmen also had seven team members earn spots on the NABC Honors Court: seniors Danny Beckman, Ryan Gamm, Preston Granger, Calvin Hackert, and Sam Vree, and juniors Jeff Bikus and Tyler George. Beckman, Bikus, and Gamm joined sophomores Harris Hawkins, Brady Swinehart, and Evan Thomas on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Thomas was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Team.
Coach’s Outlook
“The No. 1 thing that’s great about this team is that we are very, very connected. These guys have great faith in each other and love being together, love to practice and interact, and that enhances our growth.” — Head coach Greg Mitchell
Senior Jeff Bikus (32)
Roster
The Flying Dutchmen’s roster features three seniors, five juniors, six sophomores, and four freshmen.
“From the beginning of the season, our defensive engagement has been better. We’re taking care of the ball better than we were earlier this season. We’re starting to make some gains on seeing the ball going through the hoop from a shooting standpoint, which is critical. At times, there was a lack of consistent mental focus on every single possession, and that has lessened in that 11-game stretch of our season. That’s really encouraging. We always say seasons are marathons, and we’re going to continue to run the race and keep our focus, learn, and develop.” — Head coach Greg Mitchell
Student-Athletes to Watch
Tyler George. The senior guard is a three-year starter for the Flying Dutchmen. A business major, the 6-1 George has started 39 games over the past three seasons. He is Hope’s third-leading scorer this season at 12.2 points per game.
Evan Thomas. The junior guard has started 41 of his 47 games with the Flying Dutchmen, including the last 39 games in a row. A biology major, the 6-4 Thomas is averaging a career-high and team-leading 15.4 points per game this season.
Clayton Dykhouse. The junior point guard has emerged as the Flying Dutchmen’s second-leading scorer this season. An elementary and special education major, the 5-11 Dykhouse is scoring a career-best 13.4 points per game.
Jeff Bikus. The senior forward is Hope's fourth double-digit scorer this season, averaging a career-best 11.1 points per game. A business major, the 6-6 Bikus has moved into the starting lineup and being a key reserve last season.
Schedule
The Flying Dutchmen tip off MIAA play on Saturday, Jan. 8, with a 3 p.m. game against Olivet College at DeVos Fieldhouse. Two rounds of league play will determine the regular-season champion and set the field for the eight-team MIAA Tournament on Tuesday-Saturday, Feb. 22-26.
“We’ve talked all year about how this season is a process. We’re going to grow a little bit every game, every week. I think we’ve done that so far. I think we’re in a position to feel good about the upcoming 14-game grind in the MIAA. I expect a wide-open race. It’s going to be one of those races where you have to hold serve at home and find a way to be a road warrior.” — Head coach Greg Mitchell
Senior Josh Lilja (15)
Coaching Staff
Heading into MIAA play, head coach Greg Mitchell ‘89 owns a 125-64 career record. He has guided Hope to three MIAA regular-season championships and three NCAA Division III Championship appearances since returning to his alma mater following a successful 25-year high school coaching career. As a student-athlete, Greg Mitchell helped the Flying Dutchmen post a 74-27 overall record and a 40-8 mark in MIAA play with two league championships during his four seasons (1985-89). He still holds the Flying Dutchmen record for career 3-point shooting at 46.4 percent (116-of-250). He averaged a career-high 10.3 points per game his senior season in 1988-89.
Mitchell's coaching staff features assistants Chad Carlson, Tom Davelaar, Ken George, Ryan Klingler, and Craig Kopas.
By The Numbers
- 4 — Double-digit scorers during non-conference play for the Flying Dutchmen.
- 40 — MIAA championships won by the Flying Dutchmen since becoming a league member in 1926, most among MIAA schools.
- 84.1 — Team free-throw percentage, tops in the MIAA this season.
- 117 — Years the Flying Dutchmen have fielded a basketball team.
- 1,656 — All-time wins heading into the 2021-22 season, fourth-most among active NCAA Division III members. Hope’s .673 winning percentage is sixth-highest in Division III
Home-Court Advantage
DeVos Fieldhouse is a premier NCAA Division III basketball and volleyball spectator facility and the home of Hope's championship athletics. Opened in the fall of 2005, the facility can hold approximately 3,400 fans. It also houses the Department of Kinesiology and athletic training program. The Flying Dutchmen have posted a 182-38 record at DeVos Fieldhouse since its debut. Hope is 92-17 against MIAA opponents at DeVos Fieldhouse.
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Steve Herppich, Alan Babbitt, Danny Reise