Putting the ball on the court at the end of a game

[HuskyNan]

In my opinion, this is much ado about nothing. But, that's just me.

I suspect it’s a generational thing. We do have a lot of fans that judge today’s players by what Red Auerbach would/wouldn’t do.

 

[OldSchooler]

I remember seeing one playmaker in the frontcourt, dribbling out the clock in a close game, suddenly hand the ball to his defender with a second or two remaining, at which point the defender was too shocked to do anything with it. Not sure where or when that was, but it might have been an old Harlem Globetrotters game.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I wouldn't mind it if the NCAA passed a rule stating that intentionally placing the ball on the floor or throwing it up into the air during the last minute of a game before the clock expires creates an automatic turnover.

The reason being that it can be considered to be intentionally provocative which can quickly lead to loose ball fouls and injuries to players.

If the player isn't being provocative then why don't they just hand the ball over to the defense and give them possession so they can try to score in the last few seconds?

You lost me. I put the ball on the floor and walk away. You decide to pick it up...who is going to foul you? In the brief seconds that are being considered here...99.9% of players, either side, fans, or even refs care about the ball. If you can't run out the possession clock...MAYBE the statistician cares because...that's a turnover.

 

[Boreifs]

I suspect it’s a generational thing. We do have a lot of fans that judge today’s players by what Red Auerbach would/wouldn’t do.

I don’t see coaches smoking cigars on the bench. Putting the ball on the floor isn’t even in the same category. As has already been stated; much ado about nothing.

 

[psconn]

Darn kids...

 

[sun]

You lost me. I put the ball on the floor and walk away. You decide to pick it up...who is going to foul you? In the brief seconds that are being considered here...99.9% of players, either side, fans, or even refs care about the ball. If you can't run out the possession clock...MAYBE the statistician cares because...that's a turnover.

Here's another example of an NCAA rule that's in effect when there's under 1 minute left in the game.

"For the NCAA a successful field goal with under one minute to play in the second half stops the clock"

Similarly, if a team voluntary gives up its possession of the ball with under 1 minute left in the game it should officially be a turnover.
The clock should immediately stop with the defense being awarded the ball to be inbounded.

Why?
To avoid any injuries due to a lose ball.
To not provoke the defense to go after the ball.
Because the NCAA doesn't allow taunting and provoking a loose ball foul is a form of taunting.
The alternative is for a ref to call a technical foul which they're allowed to.
A written rule would be better than an unwritten rule that awards the defense with both penalty shots & possession for a technical foul for taunting.

There's already a special rule for dealing with the clock being stopped when FG's made with under 1 minute left in the game.
Therefore I wouldn't mind if the NCAA passed a rule providing for the clock to be stopped and a turnover to be called if a team refuses to maintain their possession by putting the ball on the floor.
I think that it should become a dead ball because it's a provocative act just like taunting.
IMO it's a form of silent taunting.

I really don't know why players refuse to simply maintain possession of the ball.
But if they want to give up possession then that should be what happens.
Use the possession to eat up the clock or lose it.
Since BB is a game about possession of the ball then rules shouldn't allow possession to be flaunted.

flaunt - ​

display (something) ostentatiously, especially in order to provoke envy or admiration or to show defiance.

 

[MD#12Fan]

It's called etiquette. It exists in all sports, some more than others. Even sports like boxing has etiquette or unwritten rules. Even warfare has it.
Any golfers in the BY? Ever competed? Ever had an opponent "break an unwritten rule"? Like walking to the next tee while you are sweating over a 5 footer? What did you think about your opponent?
We're UConn! It means not only basketball excellence for close to 3 decades, but sportsmanship, beyond reproach. Heck with evolution. IMO it's a part of the handshake, not a part of the competition.
Stop with the thumbs down. How about a rebut or a comment. There is no "thumbs down" when it comes to sportsmanship. Sportsmanship even supersedes the competition itself.
Actually IMO I think teams should go back to playing the game out until the horn blows. You put Inez in with 45 seconds left and 25 of those seconds, she's dribbling out the clock. Dumb dumb. Give the subs a chance to play. I scored 23 points in my 3 years playing DIII basketball. Those minutes meant a lot to me. 10-14 hours of practice a week and all the other training and conditioning a player does, and you have to stand at half court and dribble the time out. Who thought of that?

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Here's another example of an NCAA rule that's in effect when there's under 1 minute left in the game.

"For the NCAA a successful field goal with under one minute to play in the second half stops the clock"

Similarly, if a team voluntary gives up its possession of the ball with under 1 minute left in the game it should officially be a turnover.
The clock should immediately stop with the defense being awarded the ball to be inbounded.

Why?
To avoid any injuries due to a lose ball.
To not provoke the defense to go after the ball.
Because the NCAA doesn't allow taunting and provoking a loose ball foul is a form of taunting.
The alternative is for a ref to call a technical foul which they're allowed to.
A written rule would be better than an unwritten rule that awards the defense with both penalty shots & possession for a technical foul for taunting.

There's already a special rule for dealing with the clock being stopped when FG's made with under 1 minute left in the game.
Therefore I wouldn't mind if the NCAA passed a rule providing for the clock to be stopped and a turnover to be called if a team refuses to maintain their possession by putting the ball on the floor.
I think that it should become a dead ball because it's a provocative act just like taunting.
IMO it's a form of silent taunting.

I really don't know why players refuse to simply maintain possession of the ball.
But if they want to give up possession then that should be what happens.
Use the possession to eat up the clock or lose it.
Since BB is a game about possession of the ball then rules shouldn't allow possession to be flaunted.

flaunt - ​

display (something) ostentatiously, especially in order to provoke envy or admiration or to show defiance.

Surrendering or conceding isn't flaunting. And again...who is there to injure when a ball is on the floor and it's essentially being conceded to you? I think the point you are missing is...no one cares about this possession. It's irrelevant and probably the reason there is no rule against...leaving the ball. It's not that big of a deal.

 

[Zinethar]

To me this is much ado about nothing. To me it indicates the team with the ball has stopped playing (I've never seen this happen unless the other team has stopped guarding). Let the handshake line begin much like the end of football games. it indicates that our possession extends beyond the end of the game and we will not be running our offense and you have indicated you are not running defense. The game is essentially over. Lets go have a beer (or coke or whatever). In some basketball games I've seen the coaches start the handshake line while the dribbling was still going on.

 

[huskeynut]

Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill. People are too easily offended today.

 

[sun]

Surrendering or conceding isn't flaunting. And again...who is there to injure when a ball is on the floor and it's essentially being conceded to you? I think the point you are missing is...no one cares about this possession. It's irrelevant and probably the reason there is no rule against...leaving the ball. It's not that big of a deal.

ostentatiously -​

in a pretentious or showy way designed to impress.

I'm not impressed when UConn does it nor are a lot of other people including some fans and probably some of the players too.
Didn't you see Amari DeBerry pick up the ball with about 3 seconds still left on the clock?
Apparently it didn't make any sense to her either or else she would have walked away.
Refs can also choose to be arbitrary and we all act like we want to be refs.
IMO the issue is a matter of conscience, personal opinion and a grey area.

grey area-​

an ill-defined situation or area of activity not readily conforming to a category or set of rules.

 

[HuskyNan]

To paraphrase @ConwayGmck , it’s a show of good sportsmanship. The team with the big lead is showing that it won’t try to run up the score after the game result has been decided.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

ostentatiously -​

in a pretentious or showy way designed to impress.

I'm not impressed when UConn does it nor are a lot of other people including some fans and probably some of the players too.
Didn't you see Amari DeBerry pick up the ball?
Apparently it didn't make any sense to her either or else she would have walked away.
Refs can also choose to be arbitrary and we all act like we want to be refs.
IMO the issue is a matter of conscience, personal opinion and a grey area.

grey area-​

an ill-defined situation or area of activity not readily conforming to a category or set of rules.

So when Usain Bolt pulls up 20 yards from the finish line...he's being intentionally ostentatious? Maybe he's being gracious? I don't know, but it doesn't affect the obvious outcome.

 

[my2cents]

My 2 cents.

• If the refs (of a particular game) want the ball handed to them, then inform the teams PRIOR to the game. There is no rule against placing the ball on the floor...regardless of intent.
• I've seen similar actions by players during the game where they don't directly give the ball to the ref usually in a non-verbal protest against a call. Or they will roll it back in the general direction of the ref or barely roll or toss it. I'm sure there has been a tender ego or two that has T'd up the player. IMO...if there is no clear rule or it's a subjective ruling....issue a warning first.
• I have interpreted players putting the ball down on the floor (at the game's end) as a sportsman-like gesture...we're done attacking. The game is over. If you want the ball...you can have it. I have seen incidents where the losing team is trying to take the ball aggressively with seconds left...no chance in hades of winning...and unnecessary contact occurs.

Just for the record, thats not my post.

 

[my2cents]

My post:
Can these back and forths become any more ridiculous?
Is it a technical on the home team if Martians land on the court during a game, disrupting the game?? Just asking...

 

[meyers7]

It's called etiquette. It exists in all sports, some more than others. Even sports like boxing has etiquette or unwritten rules. Even warfare has it.
Any golfers in the BY? Ever competed? Ever had an opponent "break an unwritten rule"? Like walking to the next tee while you are sweating over a 5 footer? What did you think about your opponent?
We're UConn! It means not only basketball excellence for close to 3 decades, but sportsmanship, beyond reproach. Heck with evolution. IMO it's a part of the handshake, not a part of the competition.
Stop with the thumbs down. How about a rebut or a comment. There is no "thumbs down" when it comes to sportsmanship. Sportsmanship even supersedes the competition itself.
Actually IMO I think teams should go back to playing the game out until the horn blows. You put Inez in with 45 seconds left and 25 of those seconds, she's dribbling out the clock. Dumb dumb. Give the subs a chance to play. I scored 23 points in my 3 years playing DIII basketball. Those minutes meant a lot to me. 10-14 hours of practice a week and all the other training and conditioning a player does, and you have to stand at half court and dribble the time out. Who thought of that?

You're right, it's called etiquette. Just like the Victory Formation and taking a knee. Putting the ball down or dribbling out the clock is etiquette, sportsmanship. To not do that just proves that a team is an @ss. Similar to the people who complain about putting the ball down when the game is over.

 

[meyers7]

My post:
Can these back and forths become any more ridiculous?
Is it a technical on the home team if Martians land on the court during a game, disrupting the game?? Just asking...

I don't believe one was called in Space Jam.

 

[Centerstream]

Here's another example of an NCAA rule that's in effect when there's under 1 minute left in the game.

Similarly, if a team voluntary gives up its possession of the ball with under 1 minute left in the game it should officially be a turnover.
The clock should immediately stop with the defense being awarded the ball to be inbounded.

How can it be a turnover if the ball is still in play and is "live" but no one has control of it? In order to be a turnover, the other team gets possession.
Kinda like when the offense rolls the ball up the court after a made basket just to save a second or two. They don't have possession and it is not called a turnover.

 

[MD#12Fan]

You're right, it's called etiquette. Just like the Victory Formation and taking a knee. Putting the ball down or dribbling out the clock is etiquette, sportsmanship. To not do that just proves that a team is an @ss. Similar to the people who complain about putting the ball down when the game is over.

I gave you why teams should play it out and you respond like that. Weak. I talked about my own experience and extrapolated that to a player on UConn.
If everyone knows that the end of the game is an opportunity for bench players to get experience, then that is the understanding. Believe it or not, in a blowout situation, choose your margin to be respectful, maybe 30, coaches can even talk to each other about what they might want to get out of an end of game period of time.
Everyone hoots about a scenario like this, but one time my college coach called timeout during "turkey time" to organize us. Obviously I remember it, 45 years later. It meant that we meant something.
Get out of your "tunnel vision". Try to see different perspectives.

 

[sun]

How can it be a turnover if the ball is still in play and is "live" but no one has control of it? In order to be a turnover, the other team gets possession.
Kinda like when the offense rolls the ball up the court after a made basket just to save a second or two. They don't have possession and it is not called a turnover.

The NCAA would simply need to define the special circumstances covered by the proposed rule using more than one sentence if needed.
Rolling the ball up court to save time isn't the same as ending the game by putting the ball on the floor wasting time.

 

[Cuango]

As I said in my narrative Cuango, people can look at a play and see it differently. In pro football, a player can score a touchdown and then throw the football at the opposing team’s logo behind the end zone, or punch the goalpost stanchion that has the home team’s logo on it. Remember Billy “white-shoes” Johnson?

Some fans see that as an innocent act of celebration, others see it as an act of defiance and disrespect. There are more players in the league like Terrell Owens who was obsessed with making a display of emotion every time he scored. That’s who he was.

Barry Sanders scored as many if not more touchdowns as Owens. Not once did he ever spike the ball or do anything after crossing the goal line but toss the ball to the referee and return to his bench. No dancing, no gyrations, no posing for pictures with teammates. That’s who he was. Perception, you either liked Owens, or you thought he was a hotdog and a show-off.

Those actions are all easily construed as disrespectful or even taunting. How is simply setting the ball down on the court seen in that light?

 

[ThisJustIn]

Who's gonna tell'em about what Diana did with the ball at the end of the NCAA finals?

 

[sun]

Those actions are all easily construed as disrespectful or even taunting. How is simply setting the ball down on the court seen in that light?

The NFL rulebook defines taunting under the unsportsmanlike conduct umbrella as the following:

"Using baiting or taunting acts or words that may engender ill will between teams."

IMO it can be considered to be a form or act of baiting. - "Come & get the ball, it's left on the floor for you."
It's only a matter of time to find out what could possibly happen next.

NFL taunting rules, explained: Why penalties will be called more often during 2021 season | Sporting News

NFL taunting rules 2021: Why you might see more flags for taunting

www.sportingnews.com

 

[HuskyNan]

I took a look back at the end of game situation in number of games last season when we were up and running out the clock. In several cases the ball was placed on the floor with 2-3 seconds left after a bit of dribbling. IMO, the only reason any of us noted this in this case is because Nika placed it on the floor a bit earlier (I think about 5 seconds on the clock) and then Amari picked it up. I echo ConwayGmck post above. No disrespect meant or taken. The opponent had already stood down as had we, the clock was the only one still in game mode!

There is a rule that a player must dribble or shoot within 5 seconds of receiving the ball. If a player stops dribbling and just holds it, that’s fine for 5 seconds but if they just hold it for 6+ seconds, it’s a turnover. Just putting the ball on the court has the same effect as holding the ball without the turnover

 

[#12in21]

If you watch the replay at the end of the game. Nika is dribbling, the person guarding her drops their arms to their sides, Nika dribbles towards the sideline and places the ball on the ground. Everyone starts to move towards their benches and Amari is the only one that goes towards the ball. If she hadn't I have no doubt the Marquette players would have just walked right by it. Ironically when Amari picked it up one of them turned back, probably thinking 'what's she going to do with the ball'.

When the defensive player covering Nika dropped her arms, that signaled game over, Nika acknowledged that by dribbling towards the sideline and putting the ball down. No disrespect shown or taken, just a mutual acceptance that they all stopped competing and the game was over.

If you want to see an example of being disrespectful, find a replay of a game last season, I think, when Uconn had secured the win and Nika was dribbling the ball out and the opposing player went at her and tried stealing the ball. Geno had a good laugh about it post game, saying that Nika was pretty pissed about it. That was disrespectful, as would be trying to score, when you have the last possession and clearly have the game won.

 

[meyers7]

I gave you why teams should play it out and you respond like that. Weak. I talked about my own experience and extrapolated that to a player on UConn.
If everyone knows that the end of the game is an opportunity for bench players to get experience, then that is the understanding. Believe it or not, in a blowout situation, choose your margin to be respectful, maybe 30, coaches can even talk to each other about what they might want to get out of an end of game period of time.
Everyone hoots about a scenario like this, but one time my college coach called timeout during "turkey time" to organize us. Obviously I remember it, 45 years later. It meant that we meant something.
Get out of your "tunnel vision". Try to see different perspectives.

I see your perspective. It's just called poor sportsmanship. And has no place in UCONN WBB.

 

[meyers7]

There is a rule that a player must dribble or shoot within 5 seconds of receiving the ball. If a player stops dribbling and just holds it, that’s fine for 5 seconds but if they just hold it for 6+ seconds, it’s a turnover. Just putting the ball on the court has the same effect as holding the ball without the turnover

I think you mean if the player is being guarded they have to dribble/shoot/pass within 5 seconds. If no one is guarding them they can stand there until the shot clock expires (or 10 seconds in the back court).

 

[topogigio]

To take a quote from Hyman Roth (Godfather II); dropping the ball on the court in the waning seconds of a game is "small potatoes". I am much more concerned with the general lack of civility which has invaded the women's game in general (thank God, not our Huskies). Every night during the season you can view recent a Division 1 fight, pushing match, and T for taunting on You Tube somewhere in a women's game. This should surprise no one given the obnoxious actions from their "role models" in the professional ranks. Watch a local high school or youth game today, and you see the same antics, and it is getting worse. Many coaches also model negative behavior, Look no further than to the men's team! Sports used to be a builder of character and discipline. Sadly, no more - John Wooden must be turning over...! Geno, CD and the rest of the coaching crew are now the exception v the rule today. Sigh.

 

[DefenseBB]

The same as any class A technical which are mainly subjective unlike class B or administrative fouls.

 

[sun]

If you watch the replay at the end of the game. Nika is dribbling, the person guarding her drops their arms to their sides, Nika dribbles towards the sideline and places the ball on the ground. Everyone starts to move towards their benches and Amari is the only one that goes towards the ball. If she hadn't I have no doubt the Marquette players would have just walked right by it. Ironically when Amari picked it up one of them turned back, probably thinking 'what's she going to do with the ball'.

When the defensive player covering Nika dropped her arms, that signaled game over, Nika acknowledged that by dribbling towards the sideline and putting the ball down. No disrespect shown or taken, just a mutual acceptance that they all stopped competing and the game was over.

If you want to see an example of being disrespectful, find a replay of a game last season, I think, when Uconn had secured the win and Nika was dribbling the ball out and the opposing player went at her and tried stealing the ball. Geno had a good laugh about it post game, saying that Nika was pretty pissed about it. That was disrespectful, as would be trying to score, when you have the last possession and clearly have the game won.

1. That's what happened this time against Marquette but not every NCAA player can be counted on to react the same way that they did.

2. Watching the game, I thought that 6 seconds being left on the clock was an excessive amount of time to be putting the ball down.

3. Nika was probably instructed to hold the ball to expire the clock.
Putting the ball down isn't the same as holding it.
It can lead to further unpredictable events.
It's not like Nika's arms were going to fall off if she kept dribbling the ball.
Or she could have passed it to a teammate who would have gladly handled it like Amari did.

4. Now what's the real reason for it?
I'm not sure other than perhaps someone wants to be non-conformist.
If it happens the same way over & over then perhaps some team will try to pick up the ball and give it a heave or cause a foul if someone tries to stop them.
All because Nika doesn't want to conform or pass the ball off?
No one got hurt in this case but somehow either the team, Nika or the coach looks bad.
Not everyone thinks the same way.
I wouldn't be surprised if some Marquette players thought more about what they could have done if the incident happened all over again.

5.

To take a quote from Hyman Roth (Godfather II); dropping the ball on the court in the waning seconds of a game is "small potatoes". I am much more concerned with the general lack of civility which has invaded the women's game in general (thank God, not our Huskies). Every night during the season you can view recent a Division 1 fight, pushing match, and T for taunting on You Tube somewhere in a women's game. This should surprise no one given the obnoxious actions from their "role models" in the professional ranks. Watch a local high school or youth game today, and you see the same antics, and it is getting worse. Many coaches also model negative behavior, Look no further than to the men's team! Sports used to be a builder of character and discipline. Sadly, no more - John Wooden must be turning over...! Geno, CD and the rest of the coaching crew are now the exception v the rule today. Sigh.

This is so true and among the reasons players seem to promote the image of being a "bad boy" or bad girl" type. They may think that they're being cool which may be why some players would go after the ball on the floor and perhaps knock down a UConn player in the process.
IMO if players really want to protect the backs of their teammates then you'd think that players would conform to ending the game the way that they've been taught by the UConn staff.
If a player were willing to pick up the ball then I'm sure that Nika would be the first that wants to rumble.
And that's my concern when the perception of being baited shouldn't be happening in the 1st place.
That's not a way to defend the ball or honor the game or your teammates.
Just pass the ball to someone else to dribble out the clock.

6. I thought the same thing when Paige threw the ball way up high into the air to end a game.
It's a risky move if the ball comes down and hits someone in the head.