NCAA men's basketball moves 12 inches back
Juliana D'Amico
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Sports
For men's basketball fans, the three-point line just got 12 inches more exciting.
Next season the NCAA Division II men's basketball three-point line will officially extend from 19-feet-9-inches to 20-feet-9-inches.
"I think it's a great decision," said John Tharp, Hillsdale College head men's basketball coach. "Almost anybody and everybody can shoot the three, and now it's going to limit those who can."
Tharp said the NCAA considered two big changes for the Division II's upcoming season: the three-point line and the width of the lane.
Jennifer Kearns, NCAA II associate director of public and media relations, said the men's committee decided moving the line allowed for better court spacing and a free-flowing game.
Due to expenses, Kearns said she expects a change to the lane to be unlikely for several years.
"I think [NCAA II officials] were also fearful of changing both at the same time," Tharp said. "It became a really happy compromise for everybody."
Basketball player Tim Homan, a senior, said although this basketball season will be finished with the old three-point line, many basketball courts already have the new three-point line painted in a different color on their courts.
Tharp said he looks forward to the new direction this will take men's college basketball.
"[The NCAA II official's] goal is to make college basketball less physical and more skill," said Tharp.
Tharp said he thinks the new three-point line will fulfill those goals.
"The college three-point line was too close for average shooters to shoot," he said. "It's going to make average shooters get better or change their game."
Kearns said while both Men's and Women's NCAA II Basketball experimented with extended three-point lines, the women's basketball decided not to change.
"It is unlikely the line will be changed in the women's game for several years," she said.
Kearns said next season will show how much impact the change will have on men's basketball.
Next season the NCAA Division II men's basketball three-point line will officially extend from 19-feet-9-inches to 20-feet-9-inches.
"I think it's a great decision," said John Tharp, Hillsdale College head men's basketball coach. "Almost anybody and everybody can shoot the three, and now it's going to limit those who can."
Tharp said the NCAA considered two big changes for the Division II's upcoming season: the three-point line and the width of the lane.
Jennifer Kearns, NCAA II associate director of public and media relations, said the men's committee decided moving the line allowed for better court spacing and a free-flowing game.
Due to expenses, Kearns said she expects a change to the lane to be unlikely for several years.
"I think [NCAA II officials] were also fearful of changing both at the same time," Tharp said. "It became a really happy compromise for everybody."
Basketball player Tim Homan, a senior, said although this basketball season will be finished with the old three-point line, many basketball courts already have the new three-point line painted in a different color on their courts.
Tharp said he looks forward to the new direction this will take men's college basketball.
"[The NCAA II official's] goal is to make college basketball less physical and more skill," said Tharp.
Tharp said he thinks the new three-point line will fulfill those goals.
"The college three-point line was too close for average shooters to shoot," he said. "It's going to make average shooters get better or change their game."
Kearns said while both Men's and Women's NCAA II Basketball experimented with extended three-point lines, the women's basketball decided not to change.
"It is unlikely the line will be changed in the women's game for several years," she said.
Kearns said next season will show how much impact the change will have on men's basketball.
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