Jay Bilas column: How to improve college hoops

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Bad Gopher said:
I usually like Jay's perspective, but I have a bad reaction to making college BB more like the NBA. If I liked the NBA, I would watch it on the other channel. It's an inferior product.

"...even when the truth is painful." Not sure what truth or what pain he's talking about. The biggest threat to the college game right now is the watering down of the Tournament through expansion.
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+1
 

afurry91 said:
If we saw the same game in the regular season that we do in the playoffs, then the NBA would squash college basketball in every facet. However, the game is simply boring except the last 2 months of the season. Same goes for the NHL (except NHL playoffs are still boring).

College basketball is great because of the atmosphere and the intensity every game. As long as they don't lose that, there will always be a place for it.
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Nothing compares to the NHL playoffs, I college ball, but the NBA is by far the worse arena experience of the big 4. Wolves games are depressing, no atmosphere.
 

bemidjigopher said:
Nothing compares to the NHL playoffs, I college ball, but the NBA is by far the worse arena experience of the big 4. Wolves games are depressing, no atmosphere.
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Ok well I think we can exclude the team that has a non existent fan base from this discussion. Colorado State games are pretty boring too if you are looking for a comparison.
 

Rodney's Open said:
I absolutely hate the notion that no defense is played in the NBA. I'll admit that some players are more concerned about saving their energy for the offensive end, but defense is definitely played. The difference is, it is tough to stop top notch players from scoring one-on-one. I don't think anyone blamed whomever guarded Beasley when he scored at will in college. I don't think anyone blames the corner that covers Megatron because isn't as big and can't out jump him. They don't call it no defense. The floor spacing hurts team defense which leads to more points being scored.[/QUOT
That's fair, but you have to admit stars don't play by the same rules, they get the phantom fouls, traveling is never called, I remember Lebron made a game winning shot as a Cav and it got called back for traveling, he had the nerve to argue that it should count because he's a star and that traveling shouldn't be called on him, he didn't even dispute the fact that he traveled, and that was the clincher for me on why the college game is superior, it's about the team, not the super star
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afurry91 said:
Ok well I think we can exclude the team that has a non existent fan base from this discussion. Colorado State games are pretty boring too if you are looking for a comparison.
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There all the same, watch any NBA game on T.V the play the same 5 wrap songs, the only fans cheer is when the PA guy yells defense clap clap, all the teams have those thunder sticks. You brush a dude it's a foul, traveling never called. Teams don't try until about 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter
 


bemidjigopher said:
There all the same, watch any NBA game on T.V the play the same 5 wrap songs, the only fans cheer is when the PA guy yells defense clap clap, all the teams have those thunder sticks. You brush a dude it's a foul, traveling never called. Teams don't try until about 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter
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Which is exactly what I said in my original post.
 

We either leave it as it is or we make a basketball sub-division. There are only about 30 or so teams that could be effective with an NBA three point range so ultimately you would be relegating the game to a time before the three point arc except you have a shot clock. Also, if you shorten the shot clock you also eliminate the ability of less athletic teams to control tempo and compete.

Personally, I like the idea that a mid-major has a shot at competing in a one-and-done tournament. It gives people a reason to watch. What Bilas is suggesting is a certain prescription for eliminating D1 NCAA basketball as an entertaining brand that separates itself from the NBA.
 

JimmyJamesMD said:
I agree with everything other than allowing throw-ins from half court. I hate that aspect of the NBA. If you just got scored on, I don't know why its fair to inbound from half court. Terrible.

I like moving the 3 point line out for two reasons. One it opens spacing up more. Two, you should have to earn three-points. Too many players are shooting threes now because its not hard enough.

I would also like to move the shot clock down to 30. 24 is a little too fast, but I think 30 is perfect.

I prefer the college game over the NBA any day of the week. However, lets not get confused on why college ball is better. It's not the different rules, its the enforecement of rules (or lack thereof).
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I agree whole-heartedly. I've long felt the college 3-point shot needs to be extended.
 

IMO, Gophers > NBA > all other NCAA basketball.

Personally love the NBA, only like the Gophers more as an alumni and the atmosphere and childhood memories and all that.
 



tinyarch said:
Personally, I like the idea that a mid-major has a shot at competing in a one-and-done tournament. It gives people a reason to watch. What Bilas is suggesting is a certain prescription for eliminating D1 NCAA basketball as an entertaining brand that separates itself from the NBA.
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Make no mistake. As much as fans like upsets and Cinderella stories in the NCAA Tournament, the establishment (NCAA, media) doesn't. They like their blue bloods and big fans bases tuning in to watch them.
 

I like all of these ideas because it would put Bo Ryan out of a job.
 

I like Jay Bilas, but these are, mainly, not good ideas except for a few people have already mentioned. The NBA sucks because no defense is played, and guys are always shooting foul shots. Who wants to pay to see free throws? It's a rare regular season NBA game when either team tries before about 5 minutes left in the game. And then the officials favor the stars; and we all know the fix has been a part of NBA refereeing...proven some short years back. Likely contributed to at least one or two of the Kobe/Shaq fixed championships, including the year the Wolves were the 1 seed.

That series was about the time I largely stopped watching NBA basketball; what with Rasho Nesterovic getting fouls called for his face getting run through by Shaq's shoulders, and the touch fouls that sent Kobe to the line 20 times a game; along with Sczerbiak's (and others') completely phantom fouls at the end of the early games; the fix was obvious.

College basketball doesn't need more scoring. What a fallacy. Good defensive basketball can be just as exciting as good offensive basketball to the fans. Dunks are nice, but the college fanbase wants to see them earned, not a given.

Not sure what Bilas was smoking when he went this direction. It's an extremely popular sport. Why fix something that works?
 

cncmin said:
I like Jay Bilas, but these are, mainly, not good ideas except for a few people have already mentioned. The NBA sucks because no defense is played, and guys are always shooting foul shots. Who wants to pay to see free throws? It's a rare regular season NBA game when either team tries before about 5 minutes left in the game. And then the officials favor the stars; and we all know the fix has been a part of NBA refereeing...proven some short years back. Likely contributed to at least one or two of the Kobe/Shaq fixed championships, including the year the Wolves were the 1 seed.

That series was about the time I largely stopped watching NBA basketball; what with Rasho Nesterovic getting fouls called for his face getting run through by Shaq's shoulders, and the touch fouls that sent Kobe to the line 20 times a game; along with Sczerbiak's (and others') completely phantom fouls at the end of the early games; the fix was obvious.

College basketball doesn't need more scoring. What a fallacy. Good defensive basketball can be just as exciting as good offensive basketball to the fans. Dunks are nice, but the college fanbase wants to see them earned, not a given.

Not sure what Bilas was smoking when he went this direction. It's an extremely popular sport. Why fix something that works?
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+1,:cool::cool::cool:,:cool::cool::cool:,:cool::cool::cool:
 



I don't think college basketball needs to be another NBA but it does need to improve the product. The tournament last year was mostly crap with Syracuse setting the game back 60 years. The saving grace coming in a great championship game which is what the near ideal style of play for many people.
 

The idea that no defense is played in the NBA is just silly. In the NBA, the zone rules are much more restrictive than the NCAA rules, the longer 3 and wider lane allow for more offensive freedom, and the players are simply much more skilled. The combination of these factors leads to more scoring, but that doesn't mean nobody is playing defense. The Wolves will play a really entertaining style of basketball this year, but they are still not a playoff lock because of the lack of defensive ability on the team. The Wolves are paying Brewer 4-5 million a year because they didn't have a wing defender, which they wouldn't do if nobody played defense in the NBA. I will also add that once you get to the elite level, defense becomes a lot more about ability (physical skills) than "want to". Every coach I ever had, and every coach I've ever heard speak has talked about defense being "want to" and how it's all about effort. At the NBA level, you can do everything right...and Kevin Durant will still hit a 25 footer in your grill. If Tim Duncan, even at age 37, gets the ball in the post it's a wrap for everyone except Roy Hibbert , Dwight Howard, and maybe a few select others.

I think Bilas has some solid ideas, but I don't think we need to see the NBA line in college ball as the international line would accomplish the same thing. The international line is 22' 1.7 while the NBA line is 23'9. I agree with others about the timeouts and possibly taking away a timeout or two per half. I don't remember the stat, but I think I posted it here after the Indiana game it was something like the last 2:30 of the Gophers win over Indiana took over a 1/2 hour of real time. The biggest difference that can be made is getting rid of some of the hand-checking, grabbing, etc that goes on in the college game especially on the ball. It should take a special defender to keep a point guard 30 feet away from the basket. Games like Minnesota at Wisconsin last season are not good basketball. There was plenty of drama, because the score was close, but you can't say that was a great product.
 

EG#9 said:
The idea that no defense is played in the NBA is just silly. In the NBA, the zone rules are much more restrictive than the NCAA rules, the longer 3 and wider lane allow for more offensive freedom, and the players are simply much more skilled. The combination of these factors leads to more scoring, but that doesn't mean nobody is playing defense. The Wolves will play a really entertaining style of basketball this year, but they are still not a playoff lock because of the lack of defensive ability on the team. The Wolves are paying Brewer 4-5 million a year because they didn't have a wing defender, which they wouldn't do if nobody played defense in the NBA. I will also add that once you get to the elite level, defense becomes a lot more about ability (physical skills) than "want to". Every coach I ever had, and every coach I've ever heard speak has talked about defense being "want to" and how it's all about effort. At the NBA level, you can do everything right...and Kevin Durant will still hit a 25 footer in your grill. If Tim Duncan, even at age 37, gets the ball in the post it's a wrap for everyone except Roy Hibbert , Dwight Howard, and maybe a few select others. I think Bilas has some solid ideas, but I don't think we need to see the NBA line in college ball as the international line would accomplish the same thing. The international line is 22' 1.7 while the NBA line is 23'9. I agree with others about the timeouts and possibly taking away a timeout or two per half. I don't remember the stat, but I think I posted it here after the Indiana game it was something like the last 2:30 of the Gophers win over Indiana took over a 1/2 hour of real time. The biggest difference that can be made is getting rid of some of the hand-checking, grabbing, etc that goes on in the college game especially on the ball. It should take a special defender to keep a point guard 30 feet away from the basket. Games like Minnesota at Wisconsin last season are not good basketball. There was plenty of drama, because the score was close, but you can't say that was a great product.
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Absolutely spot on.

I will also add that compared to college the NBA is more restrictive on zones, but compared to 10-20 years ago they are less restrictive. Defense in the NBA is so much more about scheme than "want to" as you said now. College is more about want to. The defense that Popovich, Thibs, Rambis in LA, etc. have used is absolutely fun to watch. The Bulls defenses and Boston's defense during their title run was great basketball. Pop's defense against LeBron in the finals was fantastic.

MJ had to deal with one-on-one hand checking defenses. Today's NBA with more zone being allowed, is all about team defense and various schemes. It is often times beautiful basketball to watch.
 

NBA is not a better product

I agree on the physicality and grabbing slowing down the college game. I could even survive some tweaks to the lane and or 3 pt line. But please don't tell me the NBA has it right with their superstar love. All stars get the calls all day. If your a role player and get mugged forget going to the line. This has ruined the nba. When Mr. Jordan even complains that todays players are getting more calls than he got.

It takes effort to keep up with the ones and dones in college. Some of the best players only last a year. I think this has eroded some of the fans who used to watch more college and prefer the easy nba model where you know Durant and Lebron and they get their 25-30 every night.

BleedGopher said:
per Bilas' column:
It is over-coached, too slow and allows a level of physicality that takes away from the beauty of the sport.

But we can and should do something about it; we need to make college basketball more watchable and a better fan experience. And part of the solution is admitting the NBA has a better product because it calls fouls and allows its players to use their athleticism on both ends of the floor.

Look, I love college basketball. It is a great game, and can be the best game. But when you love something, you take care of it -- even when the truth is painful.

http://m.espn.go.com/ncb/story?storyId=9867778&src=desktop&wjb

Go Gophers!!
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If or when the power conferences, NCAA, and/or their TV partners weed out the little guys/underdogs from the NCAA Tournament all in the name of the almighty $$$$$, that is when college basketball loses me as a fan. Even though, overall, the caliber of the NCAA tourney would be better with only major-conference schools, I would have minimal interest in seeing a tournament where the smaller and lesser known schools are not represented. There has to be access, for lack of a better term, the little guys.
 


1. 30 second shot-clock. You likely mean more pressing teams and would also spare TT fans from 5 extra seconds of watching the weave at the top of the arc. More positions in a game is a good thing.
2. 2 TO per half. Keeps the flow of the game going. Might force coaches to use their bench a little more as there are fewer stoppages. That's also a good thing.
3. No team meetings after a 5th foul. Stupid rule to begin with.
4. I like the NBA 3 pt distance but would settle for the international line.

Those are ideas I can get behind.

One thing to note: adopting some of the NBA rules does not automatically transform CB into the NBA. The environment and atmosphere is what makes CB special and moving the 3 pt line back wouldn't damage that in my opinion.
 

That's the last thing I want in college basketball. The NBA is way to soft and there isn't any physicality
 

My idea on how to improve the game is to trash the 3-point shot. All I hear is spacing, spacing, spacing ... and yet the 3-point arc makes any shot just inside the arc a poor shot ... causing scoring zones on the floor.

I don't really expect anyone to listen to this rant, but following basketball's logic, maybe football should award 10 pts for 50 yard TD scores & 4 pts for 50 yard FGs, ... or maybe hockey should adopt a 2 pt goal arc.
 


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