Women's 3-point line has been moved

[oldude]

If it is an advantage for us, why didn't we do it before (to spread the floor) ?

UConn does spread the floor. AgStatesman correctly suggests that with the new 3-pt line, UConn will spread the floor “more.”

 

[Waquoit]

Wonder what effect if any this will have on percentages and attempts?

It will have a negative effect on percentages. Attempts will not be affected because it's still a 50% bonus.

 

[CTrefugee]

UConn does spread the floor. AgStatesman correctly suggests that with the new 3-pt line, UConn will spread the floor “more.”

If it's an advantage, why didn't Geno have them move out before? There is no limit on how much you can move out. I guess you see something Geno does not.

 

[UConnCat]

Cat:
Thanks for posting.
I came across the press release on this and cut and pasted the top two 'graphs:
"The NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee on Friday proposed moving the 3-point line to the international distance of 22 feet, 1¾ inches, beginning with the 2021-22 season.

"All rule recommendations must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to discuss women’s basketball proposals June 3."

My question: will this recommendation be subject to much discussion/debate to the Rules Oversight Panel or is it pretty much a done deal?

Based on the WBCA's statement I'm guessing it's a done deal. There seems to be support and momentum behind this move.

 

[MilfordHusky]

We know it’s no problem for Saylor or Caroline, as they typically shoot from 23-25’. As for Azzi, pick a distance—any distance—and she’ll be the best. This is a good move for the game.

 

[KY Card Fan]

We know it’s no problem for Saylor or Caroline, as they typically shoot from 23-25’. As for Azzi, pick a distance—any distance—and she’ll be the best. This is a good move for the game.

Based on what I saw this past season this will have minimal effect. Percentages may go down a point or two. Dana Evans probably took half of her attempts from a foot or more behind the line, as did many other good three-point shooters that I saw.

 

[ju6381]

Based on what I saw this past season this will have minimal effect. Percentages may go down a point or two. Dana Evans probably took half of her attempts from a foot or more behind the line, as did many other good three-point shooters that I saw.

I think it will lead to more open looks because help defenders will be required to cover more ground. We have players that can beat the primary defender and help defenders will have a more difficult time making up the ground. I think this will help Paige more then anyone, her natural development coupled with a change that aides her game, can't wait!

 

[oldude]

If it's an advantage, why didn't Geno have them move out before? There is no limit on how much you can move out. I guess you see something Geno does not.

Let me clarify. When the new 3-pt line is in effect, it will be an “advantage” for UConn because they are loaded with “long range” shooters vs most of their opponents, so they will be able to spread the floor more than they currently do and still be effective shooting the 3. As for the old 3-pt line, there was no reason to shoot 3’s from an extra 16” unless you had to.

 

[LoboDays]

This will have zero impact on anything. The players who attempt 3 pointers will continue to attempt them. The players who shoot lay ups will continue to make some of them. No defenses will change. No plays will change. The only possible change will be for teams whose only chance to stay in a game is to make a high percentage of 3 pointers.

 

[topogigio]

Great news, the old arc rewarded a mid range jumper too much. You should have to work for 3!

 

[JordyG]

But they use the men's size ball in WNBA and Internationally, I believe.

No. The WNBA ball is still about an inch smaller.

 

[JordyG]

Concerned that for some of UConn's players that are trying to develop an outside game (ex. Griffin, McLean), this is another thing to get in their heads.

Outside game? These two need to concentrate on a game inside the arc and finishing at the basket. Anything else would be gravy.

 

[CL82]

I agree with our shooters, it will not be an issue and I agree with mediocre shooters
(32% or so) the shooting will be worse and I am not sure how that makes the watchability of the game better as more teams will pack the paint

Not against us, because that’s within our players comfortable range. For Connecticut it probably means somewhat easier driving to the hoop.

 

[huskeynut]

It's about time.

It will affect some teams, but not many. As for UConn, Paige and company already shoot from a good distance behind the "old" arc.

As for Aubrey and Mir, they shoiuld be working on their mid-range game - 6' to 15' range. Neither need to be 3 point shooters.

 

[Dokey]

How often was our Crystal even within spitting distance of line when she drained a three?

 

[Dokey]

While she was named MVP, KLS had a lot more problems hitting threes from international distance. She followed a 4 for 4 with a 1 for 8. 5 for 12 isn’t bad but...

She was 39.2% for league season.

 

[MD#12Fan]

I am forever stuck with the concept of "risk reward" pertaining to the 3-point line. The further back the line goes, IMO the better the risk is equivalent to the reward. Golfers know what I mean. In golf, trying to drive the par 4 or going for the green in 2 on a par 5 can result in a reward of possibly an eagle, minus 2. That won't happen 99.9% of the time unless you "go for it". Birdie still possible of course, not eagle. If the hole properly "penalizes" you for an errant attempt, then IMO it's a good, fair test. Could be water, deep sand traps, pot bunkers in the UK, tight out-of-bounds lines, deep rough, etc. That's the risk in the equation. An attempt at eagle can result in bogey or worse.
You've got to consider if this is true for the college 3-point lines since its inception. IMO there has never been appropriate risk for taking a 3-point shot. In fact, long rebounds are generally another advantage for the offense. I believe Coach K realized it first: why not take 3's instead of 2's, they're worth more. Not rocket science. Disclaimer- no line when I played and I thought basketball was a great game then. Outside shooting has always been a big part of the game. Much purer game then.
Frankly Scarlet, you get defenders out of the paint by making outside shots period. 25, 24, 23, 22.5, 18 feet, it doesn't matter. It also doesn't matter how many points they are worth.

 

[CL82]

The courts look the same Fast forward to about 5:30 if you don’t want the whole tour

I’m pretty sure they would paint the arc the appropriate distance for each of the teams, but you may be right. In the end, for our players I don’t think the three point distance will matter materially.

 

[Carnac]

One less line to differentiate on multi-court arrangements! 👍

Two of ND's top three-point shooters -- Mabrey and Brunelle -- regularly shoot three's from beyond this line anyway. Particularly Mabrey. (Any Mabrey)

To a legitimate 3 point shooter, they couldn’t care less. You could move the line back another 6” and it would not change their mindset or shot. Most long range shooters take pride in hitting shots taken well behind the arc.

 

[MD#12Fan]

To a legitimate 3 point shooter, they couldn’t care less. You could move the line back another 6” and it would not change their mindset or shot. Most long range shooters take pride in hitting shots taken well behind the arc.

Devil's Advocate: Remember the old adage (maybe not so old, but since the 3-point shot was instituted): the worst shot you can take is a 2-pointer with your foot on the 3-point line.
I played before the line and I was an outside shooter and when the line was instituted, strangely enough it was like 6" outside my range. I know this because we used to play in alumni games with the line and also when I started coaching. Craziest thing. I was always so excited to play with the line and it was just slightly too far. In school I practiced shooting 4 hours a day. I can't think of an analogy.
Long story short, the change will affect the shooters IMO. Obviously, there will be adjustment and some will adjust better than others.

 

[oldude]

One thing this will mean is that “long range” bombers with seemingly unlimited range who can shoot off a dribble will increasingly be in demand, someone like Caroline for instance. If she can hit her shot in college like she did in HS, Caroline has a really good chance to break into UConn’s extremely competitive rotation as a freshman.

 

[Cuango]

It's about time.

It will affect some teams, but not many. As for UConn, Paige and company already shoot from a good distance behind the "old" arc.

As for Aubrey and Mir, they shoiuld be working on their mid-range game - 6' to 15' range. Neither need to be 3 point shooters.

For those who are saying”this won’t change anything as our shooters all shoot from a foot or so behind the line” I must disagree. They shoot from back there to avoid inadvertently stepping on the line and making it a two point attempt. It stands to reason that they will continue that. Therefore, the distance will actually be longer than what they are currently used to and may result in lower percentages even for them. However, all things being equal, I believe we are in possibly the best position to benefit from this as our coaches have signed at least three, possibly more, players who are among the best long range shooters in the country. You have to wonder if Geno & Chris saw this coming and recruited accordingly!

 

[Dillon77]

To a legitimate 3 point shooter, they couldn’t care less. You could move the line back another 6” and it would not change their mindset or shot. Most long range shooters take pride in hitting shots taken well behind the arc.

Carnac:
I probably should've gone back to reread and edit that line. I was primairly referring to viewers who have to look at some courts that have multitude of lines running through them. And, no, not every fan has them memorized. (That said, before the pandemic took me away from my hoops league, I've played on floors that my guards had to study hard....at least for a second. My few days of long-range shooting are long gone. )

As for the players, I'm in distinct agreement with you (note 2nd graph): Sam Brunelle and every one of the Mabrey girls go very deep on their shots (To my mind, Michaela shot the longest ones, but Marina was close.)

 

[MSGRET]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the 3 pt contest that Caroline just won was all from the men's 3 pt line. If so it already shows that she can hit from the 3 pt line. This years team will have at least 5 players that can hit from the new line. Azzi, Caroline, CW, PB, and Saylor, two others that most likely be able to hit it is EW and NM. That's a total of 7 players that can at anytime help open up the interior for Amari, AE, AG, Dorka, MM, ONO, and PG. Maybe one good thing will come out of the move, Liv won't be shooting the 3 pointer this coming season. The highlighted red is for the new additions for this season.

 

[BobbyJ]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the 3 pt contest that Caroline just won was all from the men's 3 pt line. If so it already shows that she can hit from the 3 pt line. This years team will have at least 5 players that can hit from the new line. Azzi, Caroline, CW, PB, and Saylor, two others that most likely be able to hit it is EW and NM. That's a total of 7 players that can at anytime help open up the interior for Amari, AE, AG, Dorka, MM, ONO, and PG. Maybe one good thing will come out of the move, Liv won't be shooting the 3 pointer this coming season. The highlighted red is for the new additions for this season.

The contest was held in a HS gym and the 3 point line is the same for both boys and girls at 19.75 feet. Basketball Court Dimensions and Hoop Height: A Quick Guide Of course that means the women will be adjusting to 22.15 feet in college now.

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm not a big fan of this on the surface. I like scoring. But overall I have no idea. Hope it proves to show well. I hope it doesn't mean the team with the biggest center automatically wins. I love guard play.

 

[MSGRET]

The contest was held in a HS gym and the 3 point line is the same for both boys and girls at 19.75 feet. Basketball Court Dimensions and Hoop Height: A Quick Guide Of course that means the women will be adjusting to 22.15 feet in college now.

But all of them have played in International contests which is the same as the new line. They were able to hit them then and were shooting them in US team qualifications. Nika has been playing that line all her life, til she got to UConn.

 

[BBallF]

hopefully only when women’s hands grow to be the same size as men’s hands.

Exactly. Remember that young girls are using the smaller ball as they are grow up and changing it ignores a reality that would only be a disadvantage to girls and women.

 

[BBallF]

As information, when the men moved the 3-pt line back 16” for the 2019-2020 season, 3-pt shot attempts remained about the same while the overall shooting percentage for the 350 DI schools dropped about 1% from 34% to 33%.

That is a very interesting statistic. I would expect it to have a bigger impact on the women's average at least for the first year.

 

[ME Husky Fan]

I wonder about Dawn’s take on this?