It has been another fun week watching basketball. Here are some random thoughts from this week.
Shot Clock and Zones- I watched a high school game where one team played a zone. The opponent was consistently taking 25-40 seconds offensively vs the zone. Next year’s Illinois HS shot clock will be 35 seconds. Watching the game, it made me wonder whether with the shot clock more high school teams will go to zone defense. On the flip side of that, will HS teams be forced to become better offensively vs zones when the shot clock comes in.
35 Seconds Too Long- The shot clock at 35 seconds will eliminate teams from starting to delay with 4 minutes to go, but I question whether 35 seconds is too long.
When I watched the HS team vs the zone, there were several possessions in the 30-40 second range- as a fan, that was a LONG TIME. I think I would advocate dropping it to 30 seconds.
Caitlin Clark- I saw a clip of Caitlin Clark playing 5 on 5 last week. It was great to see her back on the court, and she looked even stronger.
Knox Women- I got to watch Knox women play, their two leading scorers are two of the all-time best at Knox. Bria Medina (Jr) now at 1433 and the leading all-time scorer. She is lightning quick and has great change of direction move that allows her to get to the basket. Kylee Callahan (Sr) is now at 1288 to be the #3 all-time scorer in Knox history. Both players are from Tucson, Arizona.
Coaching Box- Why do high school refs choose not to enforce the coaching box? It is amazing how in most games either one of the coaches or both of the coaches never stand in the coaching box. The popular spot is to stand right next to the scorer’s table about 10 feet out of the box. It is a great spot to be able to communicate with your team when they are the fall end.
I am sure refs would say, “As long as they aren’t yelling me, what does it matter.” So my two questions to the refs would be…
1- So how far out of the box is TOO FAR out of the box? I liked in practice to be able to stand on the baseline next to the lane- TOO FAR?
2- Which other rules have you decided you really don’t agree with?
Shirts- Speaking of rules that refs choose not to enforce… did they change the rule about having shirts tucked in? It is not enforced regularly. It is amazing how 4 players can have their shirts out and nothing is said, but one player is told. How do refs decide which players to tuck in shirt?
Inbounds Late In Game- As coaches, we always come up with strategy for a delay game, for a last second shot, and for a length of the floor scoring play. THE play that every coach needs to have for end of games at tourney time, inbounding the ball when ahead and the other team is denying the inbounds pass. Get the ball in and get the ball in to a good ft shooter.
Free Throw Block Out- I understand late in a game when a coach chooses not to send any rebounders on the lane when they are shooting a free throw. They want to avoid fouling and want to make sure they get their defense back and set up.
But I also know how often, despite working on it, that my players failed to block out on free throws.
I have seen several teams choose not to put ANYONE on the lane for a free throw. It doesn’t make sense to me. Do analytics show you are more likely to foul than get an offensive rebound. My bet is that if you put players on the lane for a free throw that you typically get at least 2-3 offensive rebounds.
Wisconsin vs Indiana- Whether you are an Indiana fan, Wisconsin fan, or not liked either team- watch the replay of the last 20 seconds of the OT, and tell me what you think of the two calls in the last 15 seconds.
Walk the Ball Up- I am sure in college or the NBA they have stats on it, but I would like stats for college, NBA, and HS on offensive efficiency when a team walks the ball up the court.
I don’t care if it is a make and the defense is set. I feel that teams who push the ball up the court (under control) get into better offense than teams who walk the ball up the court.
Fouling Three Point Shooter- Is it just me or are teams fouling three point shooters at a higher rate? Next game you watch, count how many there are.
What Do Refs Do At Half-Time- I would love to hear the conversation refs have at half-time. During half-time fans talk about what their team has done well and what they have done poorly. The coaches talk to their teams about what they have done well and what they have not done well.
Do refs ever at half-time acknowledge errors they have made in the first half? Do they ever talk about blown calls? Do they talk about how they can do better in the second half?
Not Going to Get That Call on the Road- I think I will throw up the next time I hear an announcer say, “You know you won’t get that call on the road.”
WHY NOT? Why do we keep accepting that refs are not going to be as fair to the road team? Do refs know that 90% of America think that refs will not be fair to the road team?
If everyone feels this way, are all the coaches, fans, and players delusional? I think refs would be wise to think about this perception!
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