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Why
Too Many Changes, TV Hurting College Ball
Ten years ago, a shot clock or a three-point goal were only mentioned when speaking of the ABA or NBA (no three-point circle at the time). College basketball got along without those things very well.
It seems that the game in the mid 70's was played along the same lines as it was in the early 60's -- with ole college spirit. But then came the shot clock, a device limiting teams a certain amount of time to take a shot (different times depending on the certain conferences who used it). Next a three-point line -- presently 19 feet, nine inches from the center of the cylinder -- was installed in some conferences. Its purpose was to reward the shooter three points for connecting from outside these boundaries.
Nick Nicholas
Cdls' Pduse Columnist
When first put to use, it was thought that these experimental things would bring excitement. Though it looked like the NCAA was administering NBA -type methods while taking away the mystic of college basketball. With the exception of the playoffs, we all know how exciting the NBA is . . .blah.
Instead of the game getting better, it got worse -- at least from a fans' viewpoint. Everything was so inconsistent. One conference would have the three-point play and a 30-second clock while another one would have no three-pointer and a 45-second clock.
The college game with the new rules was not as interesting to watch, mainly because of low point productions by the squads and the thought of the ongoing expanding of the NCAA tourney field.
Trying to change the already popular sport was a mistake.
If a team wanted to stall for 40 minutes, let 'em. Now, the opportunity has been taken away. I don't like the stall as much as the next 'non-ACC fan, but if a 20-point underdog can beat a powerhouse like a Georgetown or St. Johns by using a spread offense, let 'em. Offensive control is a part of the game, isn't it? Why take it away?
Anyway, besides the four-corner offense of North Carolina, not too many schools applied the stall method. Without the shot clock it seemed that scores use to be in the 80's, 90's and sometimes 100's. Now. . .well, with the exception of Neveda-Las Vegas, let's just say if a team scored in the 60's, they're lighting up the scoreboard.
The clock was introduced to college ball to prevent a stall, but the NCAA's strategy has backfired. Mainly teams today control the tempo by using the clock. Some teams will wait 30 to 40 seconds and then put up the shot. That's why the scores are so low in so many games.
Today, at least, things are getting more consistent.
The three-point goal is almost a thing of the past as only three Division I schools still use it (Atlantic 10, Big Sky and PC A A). A goal should be counted the same, whether it be from one feet or 50 feet.
Also, the shot clock this year, which is used by almost every conference, is now run throughout the entire game. At least it's consistent: everybody uses a 45-second clock and for the entire contest.
The college game, which at one time appeared headed to the resemblance of professional ball, is getting back on track, or at least trying to.
However, there still are some problems.
Problems such as: the emphasis on television coverage, the ridiculous 64-field NCAA tourney, rules that are applied to the regular season and not to the tournament.
"The question has been asked, 'Will over-exposure effect the gate," said Southeastern Conference Associate Commissioner and former Georgia basketball Coach John Guthrie. "We've got a growing concern. We have reduced some of our games. We didn't want to be playing on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Fridays (conference games).
Some schools don't have designated days of play. Thus various schools --Independents, Big East teams and some others-- adjust their playing schedule to fit into the yearly budgets of certain television stations. And with newtorks, ala USA, ESPN, WTBS, WGN, and Sports Time, teams like Georgetown and DePaul can be seen on the tube any night of the week; just like the NBA.
Like Guthrie indicated, the SEC is taking a step in the right direction to correct the TV problem. With a couple exceptions (Florida-Alabama, Vanderbilt-Kentucky), SEC contests have been scheduled during certain days. The SEC games are mainly played on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with one game a week on Thursday. Only three conference games were played during Sunday dates this season.
"I would certainly hope it (the college game) doesn't go to the pro style," Guthrie said. "We have a great game here. I think the college game is so
much different than the pros. The pros play so much more frequently and the strategy gets more involved than the pros." Ah yes . . .strategy.
During the season the 45-second clock was used for the entire game. Some coaches have designed their game plan around the use of the clock. But once the NCAA Tournament rolls around there will be no clock. Great . . .no clock. Why have a regular season?
Things that worked during the regular season may have to be altered somewhat because of the tournament. It seems really strange to have the clock throughout the season and then not have it during postseason play. That means that most of the 64 teams will be changing their style of play for the tournament.
That reminds me of another matter: 64 teams in the NCAA tourney. Why 64 teams?
Wasn't 32 squads an adequate number to be playing for an NCAA championship? It use to be where only the conference champions and very few selected at-large teams, those with outstanding records, be allowed to play in March. Now, if a team is barely hovering above .500 ball, they still have hopes of playing for the title.
In the early and mid-70's, Kentucky and Tennessee usually battled for first place in the SEC. Though, unlike today, only one team was invited to the NCAA. For example, the Wildcats and Volunteers tied for first place in 1972, both with 14-4 records. Since Kentucky beat UT twice during the season, including winning the season finale against the Vols 67-66 at Stokely, UK went to the NCAA Tournament while Tennessee went home to watch the tourney on TV.
Enlarging the tourney helps the TV industry, but to me, the tradition has been lost by adding so many teams.
Let's put it this way, making the tournament ain't what it use to be. Oh the olden days . . .hopefully they'll return.