BTI's Rants and Ramblings: Exciting Tournament, Terrible Basketball

Wow, that was refreshing to experience the last three days of NCAA Tournament, with one more great slate on tap today.  The Oral Roberts story likely takes top spot but we've seen Loyola put on a clinic in downing Illinois, Virginia and Purdue making their typical early exits, and quite a few tight games and overtimes.  But having watched now 43 games (no Oregon-VCU) over the course of four days, one thing seemed to be a pretty constant theme in most of these games: the quality of college basketball right now is very poor.  A couple things really stood out:

1: A WHOLE LOT OF BRICKS WERE THROWN UP

I'm sure this stat is out there somewhere but that had to be one of the worst shooting first two rounds of an NCAA Tournament in history.  We watched team and team throw up missed three pointer, bricked layups, and airballed mid-range jumpers.  And what is clear is the teams that can shoot can advance.  Consider this for a second: In only ONE of the 43 games played did both teams shoot over 50%, and that was the Morehead State-West Virginia game.  ONE!  We keep being told that the modern game of basketball is about shooting but if that's the case, it hasn't really translated to all of college basketball.  Yes, the teams at the top like Gonzaga and Baylor can knock it down.  But the depth of ability to make shots just doesn't exist.  And this, in theory, are the best teams in college basketball.  Imagine how some of these teams that didn't make the tournament possibly shot the ball. Another way to look at it.  43 games played.  86 teams.  Only 18 times, or 20.9%, has a team shot over 50%.  Compare that to the 35 times, or 40.7%, that a team shot below 40%.  At times it was painful to watch teams struggle to make a jump shot.  Add to that, it doesn't seem like teams ever run a play to get a good shot anyway.  It's just a game of either try and get to the basket (and likely miss) or fire up a contested three. I'd like to hope that this new trend in basketball of threes and layups is just taking a little longer to effectively translate to the college game.  A lot of teams are trying this style.  They are.  But a lot of teams seem to be trying and failing.

2: THE CHARGES HAVE TO STOP

I'm sorry, if I truly knew how miserable it would be to watch officials call charges all weekend, I would have kept count.  But what is clear is two things: first, the rule is jacked in some way.  And second, as long as the rule stands the way it is, teams are taking advantage.  Nobody even attempts to play defense or block a shot anymore.  It's just flop to the ground every time a guy drives to the hoop.  Charge every time.  And don't even get me started about post up play.  I'm not sure I would EVER throw the ball into the post.  The defender will just stand behind the guy, wait for a little contact and go down.  Charge every time. I can still find enjoyment in the game even with all of the missed shots.  Guys still make enough amazing plays too, and the athleticism is unbelievable.  But the inability for refs to figure out a good block/charge rule where it limits offensive players from being out of control but doesn't incentivize the defense to just fall down is just baffling and makes the games impossible to gain flow.  Basketball should benefit the offensive player.  That rule so skews for the defense it's criminal.

3: WE PAY COACHES FOR WHAT?

Look, coaches can't make any shots.  They can't grab any rebounds.  They don't block any shots.  But every coach in this tournament is making six figures and many of these guys are millionaires.  Do any of them draw up an actual play at the end of games?  How many end of game plays was get it to your best ball handler and they drive to the hoop.  Draw a foul, put up a wild layup, kick out for a three.  Or my favorite play, dribble the ever loving crap out of the ball for 25 seconds and then jack up a three without any of your 4 teammates moving.  Not a screen being set.  Not a pick and roll to be had.  The game in clutch moments has become one on one.  Which I get when you have Cade Cunningham.  Or Dame Lillard.  Almost none of these teams do yet they run "plays" like they do.  Was there a concerted, 5-men moving play run under a minute in a tight game yet?  So I ask again, we pay the coaches for what? There is NOTHING that will stop me from being a college basketball fan.  Nothing.  It is my sport and this tournament is my favorite event every single year of my life.  But I'd like to see my favorite product be a fun product to watch and right now, it is tough much of the time.  My hope is the game is transitioning to one that fits modern basketball from top to bottom.  But right now it looks like a baby deer out of the womb.  Stumbling around, throwing up shots off the backboard, flailing about like the floor is ice.  After today's games, we'll be down to 16 teams and I would think the play next weekend will be far better.  But there are teams still playing who only remain through sheer willpower.  I'd love to see the game reverse course in quality and do so as quick as possible.  Or the NCAA Tournament could become a niche event that people do out of habit, not out of enjoyment.