[LUconn]

I know there are a few threads already about this but I did a few seaches and couldn't find one that didn't already have a bunch of other junk that I didn't want to pull up.

If you recall, I was of the opinion that this will really hurt us. Others had the opinion that it wouldn't affect us much as it's not a very big move. Still others though that this would acutally help us by hurting non 3 point shooting teams even more.

Just thought that this was a pretty interesting read. And not just because it supports my position. Ok, maybe a little because of that.

How the new three-point line will affect the game




Butler didn't waste any time. In the days following the Bulldogs' NCAA tournament loss to Tennessee in March, players returned to Hinkle Fieldhouse and found, "that we had already painted in the new [three-point] line," said coach Brad Stevens. "We wanted to get them adjusted to it as soon as possible." The same transformation has happened this offseason on gym floors across America, as college teams prepare for the expansion of the NCAA's arc from 19 feet, nine inches to 20 feet, nine inches, but the move may matter more at Butler, which relied on the three for a higher percentage of its points (40.8) last season than any other NCAA tournament team. How much the Bulldogs' livelihood will be affected -- and how much impact the longer trey has across the board -- will be the most closely monitored trend of 2008-09.

What not to expect from the one-foot rule is a revolution. As changes go, the 19-9 to 20-9 jump pales in comparison to the addition of the arc itself (in 1986-87), the repeal of the dunking ban ('76-77), or the institution of the NBA's 19-year-old age limit (in '06-07). Those created eras. The impact of this change will be more subtle. Here are four ways it could affect next season:

1. Mid-Majors Will Be Hit The Hardest.

In the narrow context of upsets -- particularly in NCAA-tournament opening-round games -- the three has long been considered the Great Equalizer for David against Goliath. But have we considered how many of the nation's best mid-majors take a season-long approach that's focused on the three-pointer?

Of the 65 teams in last year's NCAA tournament field, these 10 relied on treys for the highest percentage of their points across the entire season:

(click on link view the chart)


The top six in the chart above is essentially a collection of many of the nation's best mid-majors. Such a three-point-centric approach makes sense -- size is a scarce commodity that tends to be snatched up by powerhouses, and the smartest little guys often stay competitive on a national level by building collections of shooters who were undervalued on the recruiting trail. At times last season Butler put a lineup of five three-point threats -- seniors Julian Betko, Pete Campbell, A.J. Graves, Mike Green and Drew Streicher -- on the floor and patiently waited for its best look from beyond the arc.

None of these teams are going to abandon the three. As Stevens said, "the really good shooters, who were already making 40 percent, will still be able to make them." But with coaches likely to be more judicious about which players are green-lighted, can a scoring model with more than 35 percent of points coming on treys still be effective over the long-term?

the rest of the article here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/w ... index.html

Luke looks at all different types of styles of teams and give the affect this will most likely have.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

It wont effect Anthony Smith or Tyler Baker


If you really look at it, its not much further back from the old one... Its not going to make that big of a difference I think personally. Its a great read though, pretty interesting. Having stood at the line and looked it it, not that big of a deal at all

[RagingTireFire]

My feeling is that no one is going to abandon the 3 or even move away from it all that much so this is going to open up the middle areas between the arc and the paint. This is going to put even more of an emphasis on big men who can hit jumpers which, in my opinion, helps the mid-majors more than anyone else. I think you're going to see overall scoring go up as a result.

[jcmanson]

By Brad Stevens logic, Smitty, Kyle, JA, and TB won't be affected because they all shot 40% from 3 (TB from 2 years ago shot 39.5%). That's our whole team that returns. Seth is a shooter and it shouldn't affect him. As for the others, I'm not sure if they are labeled "shooter."

[TIMSCAR20]

I don't think it will affect real shooters. When I played I never shot exactly at the 3 point line anyway because I didn't want to step on the line. I shot close to 40% for my career from 3 and close to 50% overall (48.7 I believe). Good shooters work on their range anyway. Most can shoot the NBA 3. I know Smitty, Kyle, Tyler and Jeremy can all shoot from NBA range. I am pretty sure Seth can too but I don't know him that well yet. I agree that the affect will be more room to operate in the paint. At least that is what the intended affect was.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

I think just the presence of the line moved back will help the game by spreading the floor that much more for the offense.



Which to that I say "Thank God" cause thats all we play

[Cider Jim]

I don't think it will affect real shooters. When I played...I shot close to 40% for my career from 3 and close to 50% overall (48.7 I believe). Good shooters ...

SCAR was a shooter? All he ever talks about is his infamous slam against ESTU. I had forgetten that he could dial it up from long distance.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

and with his LEFT HAND... He was the all around player....

[Sly Fox]

And I am the one with a narcissistic thread in the 101 forum?

[TIMSCAR20]

and with his LEFT HAND... He was the all around player....

That is actually true as you know from personal experience. Coach Meyer wouldn't let me shoot 3's with the left though but I could and did shoot short jumpers with the left like Larry Bird used to...Cider, you don't remember my 3 point shot back then because we didn't take a lot of them like they do now. I remember I hit 4 in a half and everyone lost their mind. Now guys take 15 3's in one game like it's nothing....And you know I have that tape cued up too if you come to the crib in Richmond when we finally move.

[flamesbball84]

after some of you have seen practice, what is your opinion on the impact of the 3 point line?

as far as shooting percentages, i see them going down very marginally overall for all of D1, somewhere between 1-4% give or take a point or two. It's simply not far enough back to make much of a difference. the guys who can shoot from the now womens three point line are going to have no trouble adjusting to the new men's line. even amatuers who just shoot around at the gym to workout have said that the new three point line has made no difference in their three point making abilities.

[TIMSCAR20]

I actually think that it will create more offense because of the long rebounds. The misses are usually bricks because it is just long enough to make you think you have to really launch it. I watched practice today and yesterday and I think we are going to take and make a ton of threes with this group. I will reserve any more judgement of the team until I get a chance to see them again.

[LUconn]

Yeah, I don't think the 3pt% will change all that much. Attempts may go down, just because some folks might think twice. But I really think the biggest factor is it's opening up the middle giving a huge advantage to teams with true centers. It just seems designed to hurt mid majors, who shoot a lot of 3s and don't have 7 footers.

[panfan01]

HPU has the best 3 pt. shooter in the conference and from what I've seen the move back makes no difference to Harris.

[jcmanson]

HPU has the best 3 pt. shooter in the conference

Sure, if you say so.

[LUFlamer09]

Harris may possibly be the best three point shooter in the conference, but I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I suggest Liberty as a team has the best 3 pt shooters. With Smith, Ohman, Anderson, Baker (when he plays), and Curry. At least this season we won't be watching Rell Porter fire them up anymore.

[BJWilliams]

RP did it for the kids remember?

[SuperJon]

I loved what Ritchie said to Chris Lang in the paper. Lang said he really liked Curry's shot and Ritchie goes, "Well he is a Curry."

[coolhandluke]

I think he is going to be a beast. I can't wait to see what he can do.

[JDUB]

he was dropping 3's like crazy when him and his dad were shooting in Vines the other day. His father is losing his touch.

i think we are going to be pretty good this year, i'm just worried about our defense. we'll see, but with so many guards and no significant big man it will be hard to match up with teams imo

[Cider Jim]

Since Kenny George is out for the season, who is the best big man in the conference, and how tall is he?

[jcmanson]

with so many guards and no significant big man it will be hard to match up with teams imo

The same can be said the other way around.

As for who is the best big man, I'm not sure if any one player can say they are the best returning big man in the conference, but WU has 3-4 guys that are 6-8 + who are pretty good.

[JDUB]

i know. i think we will be good on offense. but i don't want to be vmi and have a scoring contest every game, i prefer to see defense too as that is half the game

[jcmanson]

Agreed, and Coach is trying to instill in them the "want" to play defense. It can be taught. Also, remember last year how he likes to use junk defenses which can be used to motivate guys to play defense harder than they normally would in a simple 2-3 zone or man to man.

[panfan01]

Right now Lynch Flohr from RU is the best returning all around big man. Cruz Daniels is the best returning defensive big man and Charles Corbin from wu is a good all around big.