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.

Last 4 IN: Iowa State, Charlotte, Villanova, Arizona State
Last 4 OUT: Kentucky, St. Mary’s, Virginia, Boise State
Next 4 OUT: Maryland, Massachusetts, Alabama, St. John’s
Next in Line: Iowa, Southern Mississippi, Indiana State, Arkansas

Bids by Conference:
(8) Big East
(7) B1G
(6) A-10, Big 12, Pac 12
(4) ACC, Mtn. West
(3) SEC
(2) MVC

Last 4 IN: Umass, St. Mary’s, Virginia, Baylor
First 4 OUT: St. John’s, Southern Mississippi, Stanford, California
Next 4 OUT: Arizona St, Charlotte, Villanova, Wyoming

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,

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

It’s that time again.  2012 was a pretty epic year for celeb deaths. With any luck, 2013 will be just as exciting.

Here’s a reminder of the rules:

Each player submits a numeric list of 10 celebrities they think will kick it in 2012. The order listed determines the points available.

ie:

1. Celeb A (10 points)
2. Celeb B (9 points)
3. Celeb C (8 points)
4. Celeb D (7 points)
5. Celeb E (6 points)
6. Celeb F (5 points)
7. Celeb G (4 points)
8. Celeb H (3 points)
9. Celeb I (2 points)
10. Celeb J (1 point)

If a celebrity on your list shuffles off, you may then replace them in the same numeric spot on the list with another name not already on your list. EJSIC is NOT responsible for replacement picks that go unpicked. All participants are responsible for giving a replacement pick in the comments section below or by sending capnwacky a personal message on the EJSIC message board once their pick requires a replacement.

As with last year, there will be an added 10 point bonus awarded for any correct pick made of celebrity under the age of 40 who actually dies. The bonus points will be given in addition to the points from one’s list.

All submissions need to be posted by 11:59:59pm on January 2, 2013. All picks at that time are final. Picks prior to that deadline can be edited. Play continues until the end of December. Player with the most points at the end of 2013 wins*.

Get out there and pick some winners!

* – Nothing.

The Entries

capnwacky (9 points)
1. Nelson Mandela
2. Bonnie Franklin, Hugo Chavez
3. Nancy Reagan
4. Billy Graham
5. Bob Barker
6. George H.W. Bush
7. Christopher Lee
8. Luise Rainer
9. Mickey Rooney
10. Ke$ha

Prophet (3 points)
1. Hosni Mubarak
2. George Beverly Shea
3. Luise Rainer
4. Carla Laemmle
5. Alicia Rhett
6. Eli Wallach
7. Zsa Zsa Gabor
8. Bonnie Franklin,
9. Bel Kaufman
10. “Professor” Irwin Corey

Flop Floppenhauffer (1 point)
1. George H.W. Bush
2. Harper Lee
3. Kirk Douglas
4. Billy Graham
5. George Wendt
6. Zsa Zsa Gabor
7. Nelson Mandela
8. Jake Lamotta
9. Stephen Hawking
10. Patty Andrews, Eli Wallach

BlueDog (0 points)
1. Erich Priebke
2. Harper Lee
3. Eli Wallach
4. Billy Graham
5. Fidel Castro
6. Herman Wouk
7. Olivia de Havilland
8. Kirk Douglas
9. Hugo Chavez
10. Hosni Mubarak

angryauton (0 points)
1. Abe Vigoda
2. Billy Graham
3. Hugo Chavez
4. Kirk Douglas
5. Dean Smith
6. Jerry Lewis
7. Bashar Al Assad
8. Nick Nolte
9. Muhammad Ali
10. Jimmy Carter

ttt (0 points)
1. Hugo Chavez
2. Clive James
3. Jerry Lewis
4. Fidel Castro
5. Bert Reynolds
6. Zsa Zsa Gabor
7. Harper Lee
8. Ronnie Biggs
9. Harold Camping
10. Kirk Douglas

zachroyse (0 points)
1. Harper Lee
2. George H.W. Bush
3. Kirk Douglas
4. Billy Graham
5. Zsa Zsa Gabor
6. Aretha Franklin
7. Nelson Mandela
8. Muhammad Ali
9. Bobby Bowden
10. PSY

EstebanBugatti (0 points)
1. George H.W. Bush
2. Lil Wayne
3. Fidel Castro
4. Ja Rule
5. Muhammad Ali
6. Benzino
7. Billy Graham
8. Stephen Hawking
9. Lindsay Lohan
10. Charlie Sheen

godzillabj (0 points)
1. Jack Pardee
2. Hugo Chavez
3. Nelson Mandela
4. Zsa Zsa Gabor
5. Penny Marshall
6. Bashar Al-Assad
7. Fidel Castro
8. Fred Phelps
9. Eli Wallach
10. Lindsay Lohan

wxgurl (0 points)
1. Queen Elizabeth II
2. Kirk Douglas
3. Zsa Zsa Gabor
4. Nelson Mandela
5. Margaret Thatcher
6. Harper Lee
7. Abe Vigoda
8. Don Rickles
9. Cloris Leachman
10. Barbara Bush

Beano (0 points)
1. Bernie Madoff
2. Bob Dole
3. Don Pardo
4. Michael Douglas
5. Walter Mondale
6. Richard Attenborough
7. Don Rickles
8. Stephen Hawking
9. George Jones
10. Tracy Morgan

AZCats1993 (0 points)
1. Nelson Mandela
2. Zsa Zsa Gabor
3. Roger Moore
4. Vin Scully
5. William “Fridge” Perry
6. Don Pardo
7. Cloris Leachman
8. Margaret Thatcher
9. Mary Kate Olsen
10. Hugh Hefner

accownsu (0 points)
1. Dean Smith
2. Zsa Zsa Gabor
3. Dick Cheney
4. Bernie Madoff
5. Nelson Mandela
6. Artie Lange
7. Fidel Castro
8. Chuck Berry
9. George H.W. Bush
10. Jerry Lewis

forsythal (0 points)
1. Olivia de Haviland
2. Eli Wallach
3. Maureen O’Hara
4. Reverend Sun Myung Moon
5. Abe Vigoda
6. Jonathan Winters
7. Helmut Schmidt
8. Christopher Plummer
9. George Jones
10. Rick Ross

Penny (0 points)
1. Zsa Zsa Gabor
2. George Wendt
3. Fidel Castro
4. Kirk Douglas
5. Abe Vigoda
6. Lindsay Lohan
7. Aretha Franklin
8. Merle Haggard
9. Ronnie Biggs
10. Macauley Culkin

josekortez (0 points)
1. Zsa Zsa Gabor
2. Kirk Douglas
3. John Madden
4. Lou Holtz
5. George H.W. Bush
6. Barbara Bush
7. Angela Landsbury
8. Betty White
9. Bob Dole
10. Larry King

cbatower (0 points)
1. Roger Ebert
2. Fidel Castro
3. Zsa Zsa Gabor
4. Jake LaMotta
5. Nelson Mandella
6. Kirk Douglas
7. Aretha Franklin
8. Lindsay Lohan
9. Merle Haggard
10. Frankie Muniz

ltaccfan (0 points)
1. Nancy Reagan
2. Kirk Douglas
3. Jerry Lewis
4. George H. W. Bush
5. Muhammad Ali
6. Queen Elizabeth II
7. Charlie Sheen
8. Pope Benedict XVI
9. Fidel Castro
10. Dick Cheney

rockchalk010 (0 points)
1. Phil Pressey
2. Tony Criswell
3. Corey Haith
4. Keion Bell
5. Dominique Bull
6. Frank Haith
7. Laurence Bowers
8. Earnest Ross
9. Alex Oriakhi
10. Jabari Brown

angryapple (0 points)
1. Larry King
2. Hugh Hefner
3. George H.W. Bush
4. Madeline Albright
5. Sepp Blatter
6. Gary Bettman
7. Snoop Dogg
8. Paris Hilton
9. Lindsay Lohan
10. Mario Ballotelli

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