UCONN WBB coach to propose lowering rim for WBB

[Cycl1]

Fixed

i figure her arms at least reach that. Unless along with being shorts she has very very stubby arms.

[VeloClone]

As someone who was a starter when 6-on-6 had its final year in Iowa, I would disagree with that. I don't disagree that dunking would harm the overall integrity of the women's game... but it may at least get some more viewers and support (which equals money). Every single guy who hates on WBB talks about how boring it is, they can't even dunk. So, nobody watches, and WBB players do not have the same opportunities after college that MBB do.

Fair enough. Mrs. Velo was a guard in 6 on 6 who didn't have a chance when her school went to 5 on 5. I think that supports my point rather than negating it, however. Do you remember the make up of Iowa and Iowa State basketball teams during the 6 on 6 era? They were almost entirely out of state kids. It was pretty damn rare for an Iowa kid to have an opportunity to play Div 1 ball because it was such a departure from what they grew up playing. I graduated with a girl who was dominant in the 6 on 6 game. At 6' 3" she struggled with the transistion to the 5 on 5 game. While ultimately successful, she almost didn't stick in her first year and half or so at Iowa despite her size, athletic ability and her training throughout high school for the transition.

[Cycl1]

^^3True is right, you know.

I do agree that athleticism is a large part of it. But watching missed layup after missed layup seems dull to people who are used to MBB, as is the issue with dunking. There's not really a way to "fix" the disparity in athleticism between the two genders; this is something that can at least be adjusted.

I am not 100% for it, but I can definitely see an argument for it.

missed lay-ups arent really that acceptable in middle school basketball. If you miss a layup in, you should probably be benched.

[Angie]

Fair enough. Mrs. Velo was a guard in 6 on 6 who didn't have a chance when her school went to 5 on 5. I think that supports my point rather than negating it, however. Do you remember the make up of Iowa and Iowa State basketball teams during the 6 on 6 era? They were almost entirely out of state kids. It was pretty damn rare for an Iowa kid to have an opportunity to play Div 1 ball because it was such a departure from what they grew up playing. I graduated with a girl who was dominant in the 6 on 6 game. At 6' 3" she struggled with the transistion to the 5 on 5 game. While ultimately successful, she almost didn't stick in her first year and half or so at Iowa despite her size, athletic ability and her training throughout high school for the transition.

I was a guard, as well, and was too short to play very effectively in 5-on-5 (basically, the opposite problem your friend had!).

I think a change like this would have to be done in conjunction with every state wbb association, due to how the 6-on-6 changeover worked. And that may or may not happen, people love their autonomy. Like I said - I don't know that I'm necessarily for this change, but I do see the logic behind it, and how it could have some far-reaching benefits.

[Clonehomer]

I found this rather convenient coming from a coach that gets a majority of the players that could dunk on these shorter rims. WBB has been more about shooting than whether you can drive to the bucket. I guess I think that's a good thing to have a team game.

[Cycsk]

I found this rather convenient coming from a coach that gets a majority of the players that could dunk on these shorter rims. WBB has been more about shooting than whether you can drive to the bucket. I guess I think that's a good thing to have a team game.

Really. Can you imagine UCONN teams with a lower rim? They would dominate. Like they haven't been already.

[jbhtexas]

I found this rather convenient coming from a coach that gets a majority of the players that could dunk on these shorter rims. WBB has been more about shooting than whether you can drive to the bucket. I guess I think that's a good thing to have a team game.

Do people still play JamBall (i.e. lower the rims so more people can dunk)? It was a big thing back when I was in high school. In fact, you could buy these super-grippable basketballs so people with smaller hands could grip the ball for dunking.

In any case, if you've ever played JamBall, and depending on how far the rim is lowered, you know that outside shooting becomes increasingly irrelevant to the game as the rim is lowered. The optimum trajectory that gives the best chance for making the outside shot is lowered, which makes the outside shot more easily blocked by more players. The alternative is to shoot high arc shots that have lesser chance of going in. Shorter players become disenfranchised from the game because they have increased difficulty scoring from the outside, and they get blocked when they try to drive in for layups. They become nothing but passers.

My guess is that lowering the rims would actually slow the game down. The game would become interior dominated with more fouls, free throws, and stoppage in action. In essence, the game would become more boring. Other rule changes would have to be enacted to counteract this.

One data point...my wife played college scholarship WBB, and I sent her the article. Her comment was that the article/concept was a waste of space.

[StClone]

What is intereting is Geno's big-time recruit can dunk.

Video: UConn Recruit Breanna Stewart Dunks At McDonald’s Contest | UConn Women

Please desist from your first impulse posting here.


Geno can keep talking.

[StClone]

I agree with this. It also makes a lot more sense why there's so much less dunking in WBB. It sort of makes the sport more boring.

Boring? Dunking to me is overrated as fights in hockey and accidents in racing. Certainly it adds a masculine exclamation point to out-playiing an opponent but only counts for two points unless fouled. More dunking is not something I thought WBB needs.

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Lower rims = more athletic players.

Wait.

[Angie]

Boring? Dunking to me is overrated as fights in hockey and accidents in racing. Certainly it adds a masculine exclamation point to out-playiing an opponent but only counts for two points unless fouled. More dunking is not something I thought WBB needs.

I don't think dunking is an important part of the game, either... but it does sell tickets. Why else would they have dunking contests for MBB players? I don't necessarily think that any of this would be good for the game, but I do see it potentially helping make WBB more marketable to an audience that has clearly shown a preference for dunking and stunt-like basketball.

Lower rims = more athletic players.

Wait.

We've addressed that a few times.

[RayShimley]

Lower rims = more athletic players.

Wait.

Have they considered using these?

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

I don't think dunking is an important part of the game, either... but it does sell tickets. Why else would they have dunking contests for MBB players? I don't necessarily think that any of this would be good for the game, but I do see it potentially helping make WBB more marketable to an audience that has clearly shown a preference for dunking and stunt-like basketball.



We've addressed that a few times.

My bad, didn't want to read the whole thing.

[Rabbuk]

Reading 40 posts on women's bball is a large burden.

[simville02]

I agree with this. It also makes a lot more sense why there's so much less dunking in WBB. It sort of makes the sport more boring.

I've honestly never understood the fascination with dunking. It's two points just like most shots. Sure, it can show strength. Maybe that's what draws people to it? WBB and MBB is just such a different style of play. Then again, Iowa State isn't a place where they can talk about fans not supporting the women...