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Category Archives: Basketball
Selection Sunday 2013
A New Shot Clock for College Basketball: 24 seconds
The 2012-2013 college basketball season has thus far been a season of major upsets and equality across the nation. For the neutral and hardcore fan alike, it has not been a season of great offensive efficiency.
A quick Google search reveals numerous stories from headline sources detailing the historically low offensive season to date. Furthermore, television ratings (and the almighty dollar bill) have been in decline for a few years.
What does it all mean? A dying sport, or one in transition? Only time can really tell, but there is one solution the NCAA can implement as soon as next season: a new, shorter shot clock. The shot clock, first introduced at an agonizing 45 seconds in the 1985-1986 season was later trimmed to the current 35 second variation in the early 1990s. Now is the time to take the next evolution in the game and move to 24 seconds.
1. The NBA
Many college basketball fans share an aversion for the NBA. Regardless of the feelings of the hardcore fan, the league represents the highest level of basketball in the world. College basketball, often viewed as a feeder league to the NBA (especially in the one-and-done era), needs to move closer to the NBA style.
The current 11 second gap between the two shot clocks is superfluous. Although the nostalgic view holds college basketball in an unrealistic light in regards to the student athlete, collegiate sports have become a means to an end for the high level athlete. Even the mid-level high school recruit who statistically has only a slim shot at the NBA views college basketball as just a step in the long process of reaching their dream.
Accepting the reality of college basketball’s place, a 24 second shot clock helps the players develop at quicker paces. Allowing the players to develop quicker, allows them to become more efficient, and thus delivering a higher level of quality on the hardwood. Higher quality play is an aspect desperately absent from the current college game.
2. The Neutral Fan
There’s always a danger in a league catering exclusively to the neutral fan, but the perspective is important here. Neutral fans are not watching the college basketball regular season as often as years past according to the link above. Increased television ratings, the focal point of conference realignment on the football side, can benefit the sport in the long term.
Although college football will remain the dominant force in realignment, college basketball does not have to sit idly to the side and go a long for the ride. Increased television ratings by catching neutral fans from improving the quality of play will allow for the potential of greater revenue from television deals to go alongside the revenue from college football.
3. The Modern Athlete
Given the advances in medicine and science, the athlete today is in better shape than the athlete of years past. Why not cater to the new breed of athlete by quickening the pace of games?
Many freshmen enter college campuses with toned bodies due to strict training regimens. Others undergo huge transformations during the first few months on campus due to better diets and training emphasis from their coaches.
Today’s players are better equipped to handle a quicker paced game.
4. Increased Scoring
A 24 second shot clock gives each team, at a minimum, one full possession per minute of the game while one of the teams receives another half possession. Under the current 35 second clock, only one team is guaranteed a full possession per minute of game time.
Increased possessions in a game will allow teams to possess the ball more and subsequently score more. Even if shooting percentages drop or, more likely, stay the same, they’ll be able to score more points per game by virtue of having more opportunities to score.
Under the 24 second clock, each team is guaranteed 60 possessions at a minimum each game. Assuming, hypothetically, a team shot 40% for a game, did not attempt a three point field goal, did not achieve a single offensive rebound, and all made shots were two points, that team would score 48 points.
48 points does not sound too appetizing, but when one considers the extremeness of my hypothetical, it provides a good baseline. Teams will receive other points from put-back attempts on rebounds, three point field goals, and foul shots.
Let’s dream up another hypothetical: a team takes 60 shots (20 three pointers and 40 two points), shoots 40% for all shots from the game, and again received no foul shots or offensive rebounds. That team would score, at a baseline minimum, 32 points from two pointers and 24 from beyond the arc for a combined 56 per game. Again, not very appealing numbers until taken into the context of the rarity of the hypothetical (a game with no offensive rebound put-backs, foul shots, and each team receiving only the minimum amount of possessions per game).
Add 15 foul shots to the last hypothetical at a 60% clip and an additional 9 points are added to the game. Increase the amount of possessions due to up-tempo teams, turnovers created by pressure, etc. and one can see the baseline minimum points provides a good starting point for increasing the scoring of college basketball teams.
Conclusion
The dwindling television ratings, the decreased scoring, the modern athlete, and college basketball’s status as a feeder league to the NBA all point in the direction of decreasing the shot clock to 24 seconds. The decreased clock will eventually increase the overall quality of play and immediately increase the points per game attracting new neutral fans which will increase television ratings. It is important for college basketball to continue evolving to better match the professional game in quality.
Eric D’s Bracketology 1/31/13
South Regional(Arlington, TX) Midwest Regional(Indianapolis, IN)
1. KANSAS(Big 12) 1.MICHIGAN(B1G)
16. NORTHEASTERN(CAA) 16. NSU(MEAC)/ FCGU(A-SUN)
-Sprint Center(Kansas City,MO) – Palace Auburn Hills(Auburn Hills,MI)
8. Pittsburgh 8. Colorado
9. UCLA 9. North Carolina
5. Marquette 5. Kansas State
12. Virginia 12. SOUTHERN MISS(C-USA)
- Energy Solutions Arena(Salt Lake City,UT) -Frank Erwin Center(Austin,TX)
4. OREGON(PAC 12) 4. Michigan State
13. MTSU(SUN BELT) 13. VALPARAISO(Horizon)
3. GONZAGA(WCC) 3. Louisville
14. SF-AUSTIN(SOUTHLAND) 14. WESTERN ILLINOIS(Summit)
- Energy Solutions Arena(Salt Lake City,UT) - Rupp Arena(Lexington, KY)
6. San Diego State 6. UNLV
11. BELMONT(OVC) 11. Arizona State/UMASS
7. Colorado State 7. Wisconsin
10. Baylor 10. Oklahoma State
- Dayton Arena(Dayton, OH) - Frank Erwin Center(Austin,TX)
2. Indiana 2. MIAMI(ACC)
15. MONTANA(BIG SKY) 15. NIAGARA(MAAC)
East Region(Washington, DC) West Regional(Los Angeles, CA)
1. Duke 1. Arizona
16. SOUTHERN(SWAC)/CHAR. SO.(Big. So.) 16. RMU(NEC)
- Wells Fargo Arena(Philadelphia,PA) – HP Pavilion(San Jose,CA)
8. Notre Dame 8. VCU
9. Missouri 9. Ole Miss
5. WICHITA STATE(MVC) 5. NC State
12. Memphis/Iowa State 12. LOUISIANA TECH(WAC)
- Dayton Arena(Dayton,OH) -Sprint Center(Kansas City,MO)
4. Butler(A 10) 4. Ohio State
13. AKRON(MAC) 13. BUCKNELL(PATRIOT)
3. Minnesota 3. NEW MEXICO(Mtn. West)
14. HARVARD(IVY) 14. DAVIDSON(SOUTHERN)
- Palace Auburn Hills(Auburn Hills, MI) – HP Pavillion(San Jose, CA)
6. Cincinnati 6. Georgetown
11. Indiana State 11. Kentucky
7. Creighton 7. Oklahoma
10. Illinois 10. LaSalle
- Rupp Arena(Lexington, KY) - Wells Fargo Arena(Philadelphia,PA)
2. FLORIDA(SEC) 2. SYRACUSE(BIG EAST)
15. STONY BROOK(AM. EAST) 15. LBSU(BIG WEST)
Last 4 IN: Memphis, Arizona State, UMASS, Iowa State
Last 4 OUT: Villanova, Temple, St. John’s, Boise State
Next 4 OUT: St. Mary’s, BYU, Wyoming, Charlotte
Bids by Conference:
(7) B1G, Big East
(6) Big 12
(5) ACC, Pac 12
(4) A 10, Mtn. West, SEC
(3) MVC
(2) Conf. USA,
Eric D’s First Bracketology of 2013
East Region(Washington, DC) West Regional(Los Angeles, CA)
1. DUKE(ACC) 1. ARIZONA(PAC 12)
16. CAL-POLY(Big West)/UNC-Ash(Big. So.) 16.)SOUTHERN(SWAC)
- Wells Fargo Arena(Philadelphia,PA) – HP Pavilion(San Jose,CA)
8. UCLA 8.Temple
9. Kentucky 9.OhioState
5. Notre Dame 5. Wichita State
12. Indiana State/Florida State 12.Oregon
-DaytonArena(Dayton,OH) - HP Pavilion(San Jose,CA)
4. BUTLER(A-10) 4. NEW MEXICO(Mtn. West)
13. CANISIUS(MAAC) 13. UTAH STATE(WAC)
3. Indiana 3. Illinois
14. HARVARD(IVY) 14. TULSA(C-USA)
-DaytonArena(Dayton,OH) -SprintCenter(Kansas City,MO)
6. VCU 6. Miami(Fl)
11. ColoradoState 11. BYU
7. KansasState 7. UNLV
10. BUCKNELL(Patriot) 10.St. Louis
- WellsFargoArena(Philadelphia,PA) - Energy Solutions Arena(SLC,UT)
2. SYRACUSE(BIG EAST) 2. GONZAGA(WCC)
15. VERMONT(AM. EAST) 15. WAGNER(NEC)
South Regional(Arlington, TX) Midwest Regional(Indianapolis, IN) 1. Kansas 1. MICHIGAN(B1G)
16. TOWSON(CAA) 16. NSU(MEAC)/ USC UPST.(ASUN)
- SprintCenter(Kansas City, MO) – Palace Auburn Hills(Auburn Hills, MI)
8. Marquette 8. Baylor
9. Maryland 9. BoiseState
5. MichiganState 5. Cincinnati
12. OKLAHOMA(BIG 12) 12. DAVIDSON(Southern)
- Energy Solutions Arena(Salt Lake City,UT) -FrankErwinCenter(Austin,TX)
4. NC State 4.Missouri
13. TENNESSEE STATE(OVC) 13. DETROIT(Horizon)
3. FLORIDA(SEC) 3. CREIGHTON(MVC)
14. SF-AUSTIN(SOUTHLAND) 14. WESTERN MICHIGAN(MAC)
- Rupp Arena(Lexington,KY) -FrankErwinCenter(Austin,TX)
6. Wyoming 6. San Diego State
11. Pittsburgh/Memphis 11. MTSU(SUN-BELT)
7. OklahomaState 7.Georgetown
10. Colorado 10.North Carolina
-Rupp Arena(Lexington,KY) – Palace Auburn Hills(Auburn Hills,MI)
2.Louisville 2.Minnesota
15. MONTANA(BIG SKY) 15. WESTERN ILLINOIS(Summit)
Last 4 IN: Pittsburgh, Indiana State, Florida State, Memphis
Last 4 OUT: Tennessee, Massachusetts, Murray State, California
Next 4 OUT: Wisconsin, Belmont, La Salle, Ole Miss
Bids By Conference:
(7) Big East
(6) ACC, B1G, Mtn. West
(5) Big 12
(4) A-10, Pac 12
(3) MVC, SEC
(2) C-USA, WCC
Eric D’s First Bracketology
East Region(Washington, DC) West Regional(Los Angeles, CA)
1. DUKE(ACC) 1. Arizona
16. WILLIAM & MARY(CAA)/PV A&M(SWAC) 16. UC-SANTA BARBARA(Big West)
- WellsFargoArena(Philadelphia,PA) – HP Pavilion(San Jose,CA)
8. Pittsburgh 8. VCU
9. Xavier 9. Maryland
5. Creighton 5. GONZAGA(WCC)
12.Iowa 12.Wyoming
- HP Pavilion(San Jose,CA) - Energy Solutions Arena(SLC,UT)
4. BUTLER(A-10) 4. NEW MEXICO(Mtn. West)
13. CANISIUS(MAAC) 13. LOUISIANA TECH(WAC)
3. Indiana 3. Minnesota
14. HARVARD(Ivy) 14. SOUTHERN METHODIST(C-USA)
-DaytonArena(Dayton,OH) - Palace at Auburn Hills(Auburn Hills,MI)
6. Notre Dame 6. North Carolina
11. BYU/Stanford 11.Charlotte
7. Miami(Fl) 7. MURRAY ST(OVC)
10. BUCKNELL(Patriot) 10.California
-SprintCenter(Kansas City,MO) - Rupp Arena(Lexington,KY)
2. Kansas(Big 12) 2. Louisville
15. SF-AUSTIN(Southland) 15. GARDNER WEBB(Big South)
South Regional(Arlington, TX) Midwest Regional(Indianapolis, IN)
1. SYRACUSE(Big East) 1. MICHIGAN(B1G)
16. MOUNT ST. MARY’S(NEC) 16. NSU(MEAC)/WEBER ST(Big Sky)
- Wells FargoArena(Philadelphia, PA) – Palace at Auburn Hills(Auburn Hills, MI)
8. Kentucky 8. Temple
9. Oregon 9. Alabama
5. COLORADO(PAC 12) 5. OklahomaState
12.BoiseState 12. Northwestern
- Energy Solutions Arena(Salt Lake City,UT) -Frank Erwin Center(Austin,TX)
4. Georgetown 4. Missouri
13. DAVIDSON(Southern) 13. WESTERN KENTUCKY(Sun Belt)
3. Ohio State 3. Cincinnati
14. ALBANY(Am. East) 14. CENTRAL MICHIGAN(MAC)
-Dayton Arena(Dayton,OH) -Frank Erwin Center(Austin,TX)
6. NC State 6. WICHITA STATE(MVC)
11. ILLINOIS-CHICAGO(Horizon) 11. Wisconsin/St. Louis
7. Michigan State 7. San DiegoState
10. Baylor 10. Marquette
-Rupp Arena(Lexington,KY) -Sprint Center(Kansas City,MO)
2. FLORIDA(SEC) 2. Illinois
15. FGCU(A-SUN) 15. WESTERN ILLINOIS(Summit)
Last 4 IN: BYU, Stanford, Wisconsin, St. Louis
First 4 OUT: Memphis, UCLA, Ole Miss, Virginia
Next 4 OUT: Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech
Bids By Conference:
(9) B1G
(6) A 10
(5) ACC, Pac 12, Big East, Mtn West
(4) SEC
(3) Big 12
(2) WCC, MVC
EJSIC College Basketball Top 25 – 2012-13 Pre-Season
Pre-Season | Week 1
YAY BASKETBALL! The time has finally arrived for the first EJSIC College Basketball Top 25. I know the season hasn’t started yet, but opinions are totally better than facts. I think.
Remember that this poll is generated via a combined ballot from the polls submitted by EJSIC Message Board posters. If you would like to have your poll included in the combined ballot, post it on the Message Board in the appropriate thread. If you can’t find the thread, you probably shouldn’t be voting…
So… Without further ado… Here’s our poll.
1) Louisville (9) – 295
2) Kentucky (1) – 274
3) Indiana (1) – 259
4) Ohio St – 252
5) Kansas – 245
6) NC State – 224
7) Michigan – 207
8) Arizona – 198
9) Duke – 197
10) Florida – 195
11) UCLA (1) – 191
12) North Carolina – 164
13T) Syracuse – 144
13T) Michigan St – 144
15) UNLV – 117
16) Creighton – 107
17) Baylor – 101
18) Memphis – 95
19) San Diego St – 85
20) Missouri – 80
21) Gonzaga – 58
22) Wisconsin – 49
23) Notre Dame – 47
24) Murray St – 30
25T) VCU – 22
25T) Texas – 22
Others Receiving Votes: Ohio (17), St. Louis (16), Florida St (15), Tennessee (12), Pittsburgh (9), Kansas St (8), Cincinnati (6), St. Mary’s (4), St. Joe’s (3), Marquette (3), Drexel (2), Texas A&M (2), New Mexico (1)
EJSIC College Basketball Previews: Drexel Dragons
NOTE: We will be previewing select college basketball teams for the upcoming season. The following Drexel preview was submitted by EJSIC poster Eric D. If you would like to preview a team for the EJSIC, send us an email or post it here on our message board.
Drexel Dragons
Philadelphia, PA, Colonial Athletic Association
Last Season: 29-7(16-2), Lost to Umass in NIT Quarterfinal
Notable Players Gone: Sammie Givens
Notable Players Returning: Damion Lee, Frantz Massenat, Derrick Thomas, Chris Fouch, Dartaye Ruffin, Daryl McCoy, Aquil Younger, Kazembe Abif.
Notable Newcomers: None
Preseason Ranking: I’ve seen anywhere from 25 – 35
Preseason Bracket Projections: ESPN projects Dragons as a #9 seed in the East, CBS Sports projects Dragons as a #9 seed in the South
Early Season Tournament: DirecTV Classic, facing St. Mary’s in Round 1
Projected Starting 5: PG: Frantz Massenat, SG: Derrick Thomas, SF: Damion Lee, PF: Dartaye Ruffin, C: Daryl McCoy 6th Man: Chris Fouch
Can Bruiser Flint build on last season’s success at Drexel?
Preview:
The Dragons come into the year with a chip on their shoulder after having being left out of the NCAA Tournament last year despite the fact they had 27 wins in the regular season and conference tournament. Expectations have not been higher in the Bruiser Flint era, and for good reason as they return 6 of their 7 leading scorers from last year’s team.
The Dragons feature CAA Preseason player of the year in Frantz Massenat to run the point, along with fellow 1st team all CAA preseason selection in Damion Lee. To add to the back court depth, Flint also can run out all CAA honorable mention Chris Fouch off the bench for instant offense. And don’t sleep on Derrick Thomas’ production either, who was suspended for the CAA Tournament last year and was a crucial piece for the Dragons all season. The front court will have to replace the steady and reliable Sammie Givens, but Dartaye Ruffin and Daryl McCoy are primed for break out seasons in their new roles.
This could be a very special year for the Dragons, ala Murray State last year, they have the experience, coaching and schedule to have a very successful season this year and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996.
2012-2013 Regular Season Record:
26-3(17-1 CAA Record ahead of GMU, ODU and Delaware)
Postseason:
#1 Seed in the CAA Tournament: 3-0
#6 Seed in NCAA Tournament
Sweet 16 – Lose to Syracuse