I equate 40% from the long line with a .300 batting average, or close to it. Obviously the number of at bats, or in this case, three point attempts, figures into how consistent a player performs. Usually a player who can exhibit the ability to hit threes at around a 40% clip will more than likely shoot close to a 100 threes in a season, if not more (the usual). That’s essentially what happened last year in the Summit.

IUPUI, the regular and postseason runner up to Oral Roberts last year, shot a collective 42.3% from the three, good for 2nd best in the nation. North Dakota State’s 40.7% was good for 7th best in the nation (NDSU was not full fledged member of DI yet, so it’s not official).

The Summit League as a whole shot a collective 36.95% from downtown.

The Big Ten is the best conference that is closest in proximity to the Summit League. So we have the Big Ten to judge the Summit League by.

The Big Ten shot 34.89% from downtown (11 teams). *Also take into consideration that many of the Big Ten teams played more games than did most of the Summit League teams.

In fact, in terms of three point production, each team save Southern Utah averaged at least 5 made threes/gm.

The Summit as a whole made 6.359 three’s/gm.

The Big Ten made 6.746 three’s/gm (11 teams). *

This Summit may not make the most threes, but the overall percentage of their makes is sound.

Downtown relocation?

So how will the three point line change from 19 feet 9 inches to 20 feet 9 inches affect this guard oriented league? Certainly teams will not throw it inside more frequently because of the lack of competent post players in the Summit. However, we could see the more capable guards drive the lane and, as defenses adjust by playing better help defense, kick the ball out to lethal outside shooters that just may happen to have some more space to work with.

Oakland Head Coach Greg Kampe sumed up why the line change won’t really be that big of a deal for one of his deep threats, “Most of the ones that (Erik) Kangas takes are a foot back anyway.”

The same can be said for many of the outstanding long ball shooters around the country.

So the toughest adjustment might have to be made by the defense. Can a pedestrian style of zone defense be able to get a hand in the face of the shooters that have an extra foot of hardwood to drift back to?

Certainly an overzealous zone defense allows capable slashers to slice into the zone to find open teammates, inside and outside.

The line change will ultimately force teams to play a little bit more aggressively when playing zone. Good defenses could, however, feast on sloppy teams with inexperienced point guards, making the aggressive zone defense a key facet in their overall game plan. Methodical half court style teams prone to turnovers could play right into the hands of a defense’s desire of forcing the offensive action farther and farther away from the basket.

I’m not sure I simplified anything with this diatribe. Using the Big Ten as a basketball model is probably like using T.O. as a model of humbleness.

Anyhoo, basically the Summit League is full of guards aplenty. Real good ones too, who, for the most part, will make you pay from downtown.

ESPN ShootAround- Summit preview from August.

Post from: EveryJoe

Getting to know the Summit League (III)

“I’m not in favor of keeping two lines on the floor,” Kennedy said. “I think it will really create confusion with the women’s line not moving and now moving the men’s line back another foot. I know they’re going to be contrasting colors, but you’re asking for problems as it relates to which line was it behind: ‘We’ve got to check the monitor.

Really, is he the first to come up with this idea? If he is, then he’s a genius.

If you are behind it, it’s good for men, and if you’re touching it, it’s good for women,” Kennedy said. “I’ve been told that wasn’t feasible, but I think two lines will cause confusion. … I’m talking about a line that’s a foot thick. It would look odd, but we’d get used to it in a year.”

source

He’s right. It would be a bit different to have this thick line out on the court, but nothing that couldn’t become normal after a little while.

Is Kennedy’s idea a realistic one?

Is the NCAA too stubborn to consider it?

Though this new 20 foot 9 inch three point line is still a far cry from the 23 foot 9 inch line for the pros.

If the NCAA really wanted to open up more room for dribble drives and lessen the dependency on threes, 21 foot and 9 inches would have been a more proactive length to set the line at.

Most three point attempts are about a foot out from the old 19 foot 9 inch line anyway. At least they seem like it.

I don’t expect any significant changes due to the line being moved a foot back.

Post from: EveryJoe

A Foot Thick?