BASKETBALL: Too Early To Panic With Pre-Conference Upset Losses By GLIAC Teams

It's very early in the season, but for perhaps a small minority of fans the signs of panic are already beginning to reveal themselves.

Well, at least it appeared that way to me based on a thread on the MLive.com message board for the GLIAC.

Recently, a pair of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball teams dropped decisions to Grand Rapids-based smaller schools on Saturday, Nov. 21. Grand Valley State University, a nationally-ranked Division II squad, was beaten rather convincingly by NAIA member Cornerstone University, 79-60. Also, Lake Superior State University was knocked off by Aquinas College, 70-63. No question these are upsets, but they are not monumental upsets when you consider the Division III schools and the NAIA schools in the Grand Rapids area traditionally produce strong teams. Besides, the West Michigan region is a fertile ground for prep basketball recruiting and schools like Aquinas, Cornerstone, Calvin, Davenport and Hope get their fair share from a rich talent pool.

Besides, I had a tip from a knowledgeable West Michigan coach who thought that Cornerstone was a very good team and had a very strong chance of winning that game against GVSU.

It's still early in the season and panic is a bit premature right now, but it's fair to say that so far the GLIAC is not looking as strong as it has looked in recent seasons.

Last season, Ferris was stunned 86-80 by a Grace Bible team that clearly was better than some people expected.

It wasn't all that long ago Grand Valley upset Michigan State and Findlay stunned Ohio State in much-talked-about exhibition games. Already this season, Division I nationally-ranked Syracuse was upset by Division II LeMoyne, but the Orangemen are looking pretty good right now with wins over California and North Carolina.

Teams have to be ready to play regardless of the competition.