When the NCAA implemented these new freedom of movement rules, the end goal was to raise scoring totals with the hope that it'd make the game more "watchable."
Scoring totals are certainly up, but the game has become more unwatchable than ever. The incessant calling of fouls has halted any flow to games, and playing defense has become disincentivized.
Games have devolved into free throw contests as foul calls are at record highs. Yesterday's Gonzaga-Washington game had 60 total fouls and 74 free throw attempts in yet another example of how out of hand these new rules have gotten.
Instead of promoting better offense, "freedom of movement" has simply made the game uglier with more stoppages and star players having to sit on the bench with foul trouble. If the NCAA thought these foul rules would make the game more appealing to casual fans, they made a grave miscalculation. Even diehard fans of college ball have lamented what it's done to the game.
The astronomical foul rates are teetering on the brink of ruining college basketball for me, as I find myself watching fewer games than ever.
