Scorers, the NCAA is on your side.
Men’s basketball officials are starting the season in the spotlight. They are charged, by the NCAA, to take physical defense out of the game and let offenses flow freely after teams averaged 67.5 points last season, lowest since the 1951-52 season (63.3).
In the NCAA’s view, something needs to change.
“We felt like defense was way ahead of offense,” said Eddie Jackson, Missouri Valley Conference supervisor of men’s officials. “The game had become a game of physicality and not finesse.”
The changes are causing, if not panic, an uproar through the first weeks of scrimmages and exhibitions. Coaches are predicting long games caused by fouls and free throws. WSU coach Gregg Marshall said Baylor shot 23 free throws in a 20-minute scrimmage against WSU a week ago.
“The game is going to be a little different,” Marshall said. “You better have some depth. You’re going to see a lot more foul shots, you’re going to see a lot more foul trouble. You’re going to see people driving it to the basket.”
Men’s basketball officials are starting the season in the spotlight. They are charged, by the NCAA, to take physical defense out of the game and let offenses flow freely after teams averaged 67.5 points last season, lowest since the 1951-52 season (63.3).
In the NCAA’s view, something needs to change.
“We felt like defense was way ahead of offense,” said Eddie Jackson, Missouri Valley Conference supervisor of men’s officials. “The game had become a game of physicality and not finesse.”
The changes are causing, if not panic, an uproar through the first weeks of scrimmages and exhibitions. Coaches are predicting long games caused by fouls and free throws. WSU coach Gregg Marshall said Baylor shot 23 free throws in a 20-minute scrimmage against WSU a week ago.
“The game is going to be a little different,” Marshall said. “You better have some depth. You’re going to see a lot more foul shots, you’re going to see a lot more foul trouble. You’re going to see people driving it to the basket.”
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