Movin' on back
That's the plan for the college 3-point line in 2008-09, in case you missed it in today's paper. The proposed shift from 19-9 to 20-9 is up for a vote later this month. If approved, it'll go into effect in 2008-09.
A couple of thoughts on this.
One, I wasn't aware that there was such a groundswell of support for making the change. Not that I'm opposed to it. Just wondering, why now?
Two, it's a good thing they're giving schools a year before putting it into effect. I'm not saying it's going to fundamentally change the game but it will, I think, lessen the number of players who can legitimately shoot the 3 and, with greater space between the 3-point line and the lane, make the mid-range game much more important. Coaches need the time to figure out how they're going to adjust their tactics and, more importantly, to figure out how they're going to adjust their rosters to best take advantage of the altered game.
One interesting test case - assuming he doesn't blow up and turn pro before his junior season - would be Duke's Gerald Henderson. His jumper in its current state isn't good enough for 20-9. But man, his mid-range game is tailor-made for the proposed change.