North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: College Hoops Continues Evolution
7/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 9, 2003
By Tony Haynes
For the most part, the administrators and coaches who have been responsible for overseeing the rules of college basketball over the last 30 years have done a good job of moving the game forward. Sometimes, it was even necessary to repeal some of the antiquated restrictions that once held the sport back. It's still sad to think, for instance, that dunking was prohibited when David Thompson was soaring his way to legendary status at NC State from 1973-to-75. Eleven years after the dunk was reinstated, the introduction of the 3-point shot and shot clock helped to open up the game even more. Now, as we enter into yet a new era, the current configuration of the lane and 3-point arc are about to undergo more alterations.
The only reason an extension of the 3-point line and widening of the lane won't happen this year is because many schools felt they would need more than just a few months to make the necessary changes to the floors on which they play and practice.
"Feedback from the divisional governing committees showed that passing the recommendations without a season's notice for schools to prepare their facilities posed a hardship to some member schools," said Art Hyland, chairman of the NCAA men's rules committee.
But it's almost a given that by the 2004-05 season, the 3-point arc will go from its current distance of 19-feet, 9 inches to the international distance of 20-feet, 6 inches. In addition, the lane area will likely be expanded from the 12-foot rectangle that is currently used to a trapezoid shape that will be 19-feet, 8 inches at its widest point along the baseline.
"You can't widen the lane and not move the 3-point line back some, so I think the two of those go hand in hand," said NC State associate head coach Larry Hunter. "When you widen the lane you open up the basket area. When you open up the basket and post people inside, the distance between the 3-point line and people posting up is a lot closer. That would mean people helping out in the post wouldn't have as far to go to cover the post and recover back to the 3-point shooter. So in order to help the offense, you would have to move the line back."
While a move of the 3-point line back some nine inches will likely be the most talked about change next year, the widening of the lane could actually have the most impact on a game that has become extremely physical in the post. If officiating crews elect to enforce the three-second rule on a consistent basis, a wider lane would likely reduce physical play to a certain degree, while also enhancing freedom of movement. The good 3-point shooters, however, probably won't even blink when the arc is pushed back.
"I don't think it will have a great deal of impact on the shooting percentages," Hunter said. "With the line going back only nine inches, I think most guys that shoot that 3-pointer will make the adjustment and shoot a very similar percentage. We're still almost a good 2-feet away from the NBA 3-point line, which would certainly impact the shooting percentages. But I don't think the nine inches will mean a great deal."
Of course, opening up the lane and stretching the defense by shooting the 3-point shot from multiple positions is exactly what the Wolfpack has been doing ever since it adopted a new offensive philosophy two years ago. If the proposed rules changes are in fact ratified in 2004-05, other teams will likely begin to employ similar strategies.
"With the offense that we have and the way we emphasize 3-point shooting and opening up the basket, these rules changes could leave us a step ahead of things," said Hunter, who is entering his third season on head coach Herb Sendek's staff. "It would only make what we do more in vogue for a lot of other teams."
A wider lane and deeper 3-point shot will lead to even more emphasis on shooting, driving and cutting, while also applying added pressure on the help-oriented defensive schemes that have become so prevalent in modern day college hoops. Just as the introduction of the 3-point shot brought the little man back into the game 15 years ago, the new proposed rules changes would only further promote the trend of bigger players becoming more mobile and skilled on the perimeter.
And while some "traditionalists" still scoff at the notion of 6-9 or 6-10 frontline players taking their games out away from the basket, the evolution of the sport and its rules dictate otherwise.
The days of old when the spectacular David Thompson couldn't even dunk are now becoming a distant memory.
