Robinett: New rule shouldn't change much

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson are out of luck.

The NCAA is expected approve a new rule that will expand the college three-point line by one foot — from 19 feet 9 inches to 20 feet 9 inches — but it won’t be implemented until the 2008-09 season, the year after the two seniors graduate.

But why would they care, won’t this affect guards more than low-post players? The answer is no. A good shooter is a good shooter from any range. Practice enough from the new spot and there won’t be a difference from one line to the other.

The expanded three-point line has even been used before in some recent early-season tournaments. The result? Statistics show that three-point-shooting percentages dropped, but by a miniscule amount of less than one percent.

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This rule would have helped Jackson and Kaun be more productive players. If they could stay around for one more year, their points and assists per game would certainly increase.

If shooting isn’t a problem, then why is the NCAA changing the rules? To open up the court. Perimeter defenders will be forced to guard players farther out on the floor, leaving more space inside the paint for low-post players to showcase their moves without being hacked to bits by physical forwards or stingy, double-teaming guards.

This rule would have helped Jackson and Kaun be more productive players. If they could stay around for one more year, their points and assists per game would certainly increase. In a double team situation, they could pass the ball out to an open guard patrolling the perimeter. If they weren’t — now the more likely scenario — they’d have an easier time scoring.

The new rule will make the college game a little more like the NBA style of play, even though it will still keep many elements of its own to differentiate itself from the pro level, such as the use of zone defenses.

Overall the new rule should be good for college basketball, or at least for the fans. Games won’t be bogged down in the middle as much, and scoring will be more prevalent, which means more entertainment.

With a more spread-out court, the games will be less physical and more skillful. Teams with more athleticism and talented low-post players should be able to take advantage and win more games. Teams kind of like Kansas.

Robinett is an Austin, Texas senior in journalism.

— Edited by Joe Caponio

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