Coaches in a hurry for 3-point line extension (Tulsa World) 5-9-2007

[ORUTerry]

Coaches in a hurry for 3-point line extension

by DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist

5/9/2007

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Sean Sutton sees only one problem with the NCAA's plan to push college basketball's 3-point line back a foot.  "I wish it were in play this (upcoming) season," said Oklahoma State's coach.

Sutton and the rest of the college hoops world will have to wait until the 2008-09 season before the rule change goes into effect. The NCAA's playing rules oversight panel is expected to give final approval on May 25 to move the 3-point arc to 20 feet, 9 inches.

Sutton would prefer the change was enacted immediately, because he has two incoming players who could use "trey" as their middle name.

"We have two or three guys who have serious (shooting) range," Sutton said. "Brad Garrett and James Anderson can shoot it deep."

OSU will have another long-range shooter on next season's squad if guard JamesOn Curry decides to return for his final season. Curry has until June 18 to decide if he will remove his name from the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-7 Anderson was a McDonald's All-American when he averaged 39 points for Junction City (Ark.) High School.

Garrett is a 6-5 shooting guard who averaged 15.8 points for the College of Southern Idaho.

"He's probably the best junior college shooter in America," CSI assistant coach Jeff Renegar said when Garrett signed with OSU. "Not just from 3-point range, but from three to four feet behind the line."

The NCAA introduced the 3-point line at 19 feet, 9 inches before the 1986-87 season.

The change means pure shooters like Anderson and Garrett will become premium targets in recruiting.

"Moving it back will definitely separate the really good shooters from the average shooters," said Kansas coach Bill Self, who also recruited Anderson and Garrett. "I don't want to say it (3-point shot) was overutilized. But I do think too many players spend too much focus on that shot and not developing more of a complete, or in-between game."

Like his older brother, Oral Roberts coach Scott Sutton wouldn't mind if the 3-point line was extended immediately. That would mean ORU recruit Robert Jarvis would have two seasons instead of one to launch it from downtown, much like he did the past two seasons for Seminole State College.

The 5-11 Jarvis averaged 23.3 points last season. He was named to the all-tournament team at the National Junior College Tournament after scoring 28 points when Seminole defeated Lon Morris (Texas) Community College in the fifth-place game.

"He's a great 3-point shooter," Scott Sutton said of Jarvis. "Guys like him, that one foot won't make any difference. It will affect the marginal shooters who probably shouldn't be shooting 3-pointers anyway."

Self and the Sutton brothers all agree that the NCAA struck gold 20 years ago when it added the 3-point shot. Although it initially drew criticism, the 19 foot, 9 line pumped excitement into a game that was growing with the expansion of the NCAA Tournament and addition of the 35-second clock.

"The 3-point shot and the shot clock are probably the two biggest changes this (college) game has seen," Scott Sutton said. "It's led to more excitement and more comebacks. A 10-or 15-point lead is nothing if there's a lot of time left."

Shooters have also improved their aim over that 20-season span. The Big 12 Conference was loaded with 3-point marksmen last season, including the nation's leading 3-point shooter (50 percent) in Texas A&M freshman guard Josh Carter.

"It's been great for college basketball, and the strategy of using the 3-point shot allowed certain teams to upset other teams through the years," Sean Sutton said. "But it's become a cheap shot.

"Moving it back will make for better spacing on offense. It should open the court up and things won't be quite as congested inside."

Expense is the reason the NCAA gave for delaying the change. Moving the line will require that floors be sanded and painted, which could cost as much as $20,000. Schools that have already set their budgets for the next school year need time to adjust.

The NCAA, which has its goofy moments, decided it didn't want to mimic the 20 feet, 6 inch line used in international competition. So it added three more inches, which is still well short of the NBA line, which is 23 feet, 9 inches at the top of the key and 22 feet at the baseline corners.

Some critics are concerned the change will hinder mid-major programs that have often found success by spreading the floor in halfcourt offenses and relying on players who can catch and shoot from the perimeter. But while ORU is considered a mid-major, Scott Sutton doesn't sound too concerned.

"You are seeing way too many guys that aren't great shooters who are stepping out and taking those shots," he said. "It (change) needed to be done. It's time."