The Wrong Basketballs

[TWG236]

I just read that the College of Charleston Women's Basketball team has been utilizing men's basketballs for all of their home games. I guess in July the college switched apparel companies and their new company Armor provided them with men's basketballs.

Inflategate? Charleston women forfeit games for using men's basketballs

Women's basketball now has its own version of ''Deflategate.'' Or in this case, call it ''Inflategate.'' The College of Charleston women's team unknowingly has been playing home games and practicing with men's basketballs all season long. They suspected something was up, and recently it caught up with them.

''The commissioner was hamstrung a bit as far as what he could do because the situation didn't meet the NCAA criteria necessary for a forfeit or no contest. The NCAA indicated to us they didn't feel as though it was an option in this situation, therefore the decision I made locally, was that they would forfeit the games in purposes of the conference standings.

Harris was happy the league did something, but wishes it could have been more. ''If UConn went down there, they'd figure out a way to get that corrected. That's my thought on it,'' she said. ''If it mattered more in the big landscape, NCAA seedings, NIT bids.''

 

[Roger G]

How did no one notice? The balls feel so different. That's unbelievable!

 

[Huskee11]

How did no one notice? The balls feel so different. That's unbelievable!

Agree completely. Very strange.

 

[mntncougar]

I don't know what their record is but they should forfeit all games that they won. Period. If the NCAA doesn't think that's unfair I can't imagine where they'll draw the line.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I just read that the College of Charleston Women's Basketball team has been utilizing men's basketballs for all of their home games. I guess in July the college switched apparel companies and their new company Armor provided them with men's basketballs.

Inflategate? Charleston women forfeit games for using men's basketballs

Women's basketball now has its own version of ''Deflategate.'' Or in this case, call it ''Inflategate.'' The College of Charleston women's team unknowingly has been playing home games and practicing with men's basketballs all season long. They suspected something was up, and recently it caught up with them.

''The commissioner was hamstrung a bit as far as what he could do because the situation didn't meet the NCAA criteria necessary for a forfeit or no contest. The NCAA indicated to us they didn't feel as though it was an option in this situation, therefore the decision I made locally, was that they would forfeit the games in purposes of the conference standings.

Harris was happy the league did something, but wishes it could have been more. ''If UConn went down there, they'd figure out a way to get that corrected. That's my thought on it,'' she said. ''If it mattered more in the big landscape, NCAA seedings, NIT bids.''

I'm not sure Uconn would have created an issue over men's bb's. Geno has spoken a few times about women using men's bb's--

 

[Charliebball]

Didn't the refs check the ball.............they do in high school games

 

[Papa33]

Didn't the refs check the ball...they do in high school games

I find it hard to believe the Charleston coach did not realize his/her team was suddenly working with men's basketballs, especially since the team was playing with the regulation women's basketball for away games. I coached boys basketball for 10 years, girls for 20 years, and it was immediately and dramatically different handling one that rolled over from a boys practice onto our practice area. And the refs???? They are charged with checking the balls, including inflation and bounce before every game. Good lord!

 

[oldude]

As info, the difference between the men's & women's basketball is 1" in circumference.

 

[Charliebball]

As info, the difference between the men's & women's basketball is 1" in circumference.

our high school girls sometimes purposely play with 29.5 basketballs vs 28.5 as the smaller version feels much easier to control after the workout..........can't imagine how anybody wouldn't notice the difference.................I'd be curious to know what their record was and what the shooting percentages were for those games

 

[j66kicker]

So when they played away games, no one noticed the smaller balls?

They knew.

 

[tomcat]

This makes no sense at all. I hate to say this, but perhaps they should forfeit on the basis of sheer stupidity.

 

[j66kicker]

This makes no sense at all. I hate to say this, but perhaps they should forfeit on the basis of sheer stupidity.

Well it made enough sense for you to say it.

I agree. Either they did it on purpose, or they did it unknowingly. Either scenario qualifies.

 

[tomcat]

Okay. I read the article once again. I was right. Sheer stupidity. And these people are supposedly leading the next generation to greatness? Really?

 

[JordyG]

Bunch of lunkheads. This ranks up there with Walz's trick in head scratching stupidity. Yet, I think it's about time the balls in both the men and women's game were the same.

 

[triaddukefan]

Well someone should compare the shooting percentages of C of C away vs home. This year vs last season.

 

[Carnac]

Okay. I read the article once again. I was right. Sheer stupidity. And these people are supposedly leading the next generation to greatness? Really?

I read it twice also, and like you, I came away shaking my head. The women's ball is lighter and smaller. You could blindfold most players, and they could easily tell the difference. I don't doubt this story is true, But I find it very hard to believe that no one at C of C realized the balls the women were using were the wrong ones. SMH. Embarrassing does not begin to describe how this looks. There are too many checks and balances that SHOULD be in place for this sort of thing to happen. And yes, they should forfeit the games in question.

 

[Checkmate]

Bunch of lunkheads. This ranks up there with Walz's trick in head scratching stupidity. Yet, I think it's about time the balls in both the men and women's game were the same.

There is zero chance of that happening. The NCAA wants higher scoring in WBB and even with the "new rules" there are plenty of low scoring games. I would not be surprised to see a defensive 3 seconds rule just like the NBA.

 

[pinotbear]

There is zero chance of that happening. The NCAA wants higher scoring in WBB and even with the "new rules" there are plenty of low scoring games. I would not be surprised to see a defensive 3 seconds rule just like the NBA.

If I understand Geno's argument for using the men's ball, he thinks it will improve scoring - that, given the size, strength and athleticism of current players, it's actually easier to control a ball that's slightly larger and heavier - the current women's ball is a little smaller than ideal for optimum performance.

 

[iri10]

If I understand Geno's argument for using the men's ball, he thinks it will improve scoring - that, given the size, strength and athleticism of current players, it's actually easier to control a ball that's slightly larger and heavier - the current women's ball is a little smaller than ideal for optimum performance.

If you're going to experiment with ball size, you probably want to start at the top level and work your way down. So, maybe the WNBA and FIBA would be so bold as to try it...

 

[Checkmate]

If I understand Geno's argument for using the men's ball, he thinks it will improve scoring - that, given the size, strength and athleticism of current players, it's actually easier to control a ball that's slightly larger and heavier - the current women's ball is a little smaller than ideal for optimum performance.

I disagree with Geno. Anyone who plays with a women's basketball then switches to a MBB notices the difference immediately..... it feels like a beach ball. In fact, one of the best training methods is using "big ball" , a basketball bigger than a MBB. It is unforgiving, so you must improve your technique to make a shot. Then when you switch back to a regular ball your technique should have improved and shooting improves significantly .

 

[JordyG]

And so he has said time after time.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

Which ball does FIBA use?

Seems to me that if U.S. women don't use the same ball that FIBA uses,
then they would be at a disadvantage in international competitions.

 

[j66kicker]

Which ball does FIBA use?

Seems to me that if U.S. women don't use the same ball that FIBA uses,
then they would be at a disadvantage in international competitions.

FIBA women and Euro-League use size 6, men use size 7

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I don't know how the players wouldn't have noticed.