Today, the NCAA Basketball Oversight Panel is expected to formally approve moving the men's 3-point line back 12 inches to 20 feet 9 inches. This is a very good thing for men's college basketball, as the number of 3-point shots attempted in a game has now reached an average of 34% of the total shots. The only downside, is that it won't go into effect until the 2008-09 season.Aesthetically, there are some issues as the women's line will remain at 19' 9". That means two lines on the court only a foot apart from each other (possibly 3 in places such as Madison Square Garden and the Continental Airlines Arena which are also NBA facilities). Not the best visual.
It's also a potential headache for players and officials. In the midst of the game action the men will have to be behind the right line or end up with a two. Officials will have to keep it straight, and be sure they are crediting a correct 3-point shot. It's easy to envision moments of confusion where an official credits a 3 by mistake when the player is behind the women's 3-point line.
Apparently there are a couple choices that the panel will be considering over the next year to deal with the potential confusion ($ article).
There will be two separate lines of contrasting colors. Rules committee chair Larry Keating, an associate athletic director at Kansas, is proposing to have a one-foot wide band instead of two separate lines. He wants to see the women play off the front of the band and the men off the back. The intent is to have a vote next year for either the two lines or a one-foot band.A solid 12 inch band might be visually brutal, but it not as bad as two separate lines of contrasting color. It would also be less confusing for officials and players.
Previously at the Fanhouse
NCAA 3 Point Shooting Line On the Move
Prepare to See Ugly Courts
