Posted: 2024-03-28 06:49:29 (CT) [ 158 views ]
4-1-24 Results from Colorado vs Iowa on the 30th:
COLORADO FGM A 3PM A FTM A OREB REB AST ST BLK TO PF PTS
Total 27 72 8 29 6 14 16 34 19 14 4 13 15 68
Percent 37.5% 27.6% 42.9%
IOWA FGM A 3PM A FTM A OREB REB AST ST BLK TO PF PTS
Total 35 65 9 22 10 13 13 43 20 7 3 19 12 89
Percent 53.8% 40.9% 76.9%
On March 30, 2024 - Iowa's Caitlin Clark after 1 full day of practicing at 30 feet elevation went 3 for 11 --27.3%
Then, on April 1st, 2024--2 additional days at Albany--Clark went 9 for 20 or 45% shooting from long distance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prior to the Albany Sweet Sixteen Matchup--Clifton Neeley wrote:
Today (March 30, 2024) NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 concludes with 4 additional games. The previous games for these 8 teams were on March 24th and 25th in the Sweet 16--a week ago!
I do not know the travel protocols of the NCAAW, but I know that it is a well-known fact that home teams have an advantage over visiting teams. I also know that sports played in neutral locations are attempting to level the playing field as much as possible. However, all the teams playing today did not show up in New York until Thursday night where they began running practices on a schedule made up by a third party, evidently.
What I am getting to is three-point shooting as a modern weapon in the game of basketball. Three point top shooters not only win games, recognition, popularity and money for the University, but individuals are now making NIL money that could only be called windfalls. Three point shooting accuracy is not only an issue of talent and defensive competition, but of focus, confidence and adjustment to the climate conditions of the air. In other words; if a football kick goes further in Colorado, so does a basketball.
The adjustment to the climate conditions for shooting the longer shots is huge. With so much at stake, why would university basketball teams choose to give their team only one day of practice times to adjust? It makes absolutely no sense. Here is an extreme example that will be played out tonight! Colorado Women's basketball team vs Iowa:
This game has national viewership at a high level, yet the Colorado women's team evidently spent the past week (or at least 5 preparation days) at 5,375 feet elevation preparing to play at 30 feet elevation. Does the administration have a Colorado Engineering department at their fingertips? How about the coaches? Why have they not considered the actual barometric pressure changes that will affect the flight of a basketball through the air? Why, unless prohibited, did they not spend the money to give their team at least 3 days to adjust the distance of the flight of their three-point shooting? They are playing against the top 3-point shooter in the nation that has broken scoring records of everyone from past years--kudos to Caitlin Clark. That shooter will need to adjust, as well, but only to the tune of 710 feet vs 30 feet; which, I might add, is not easy either, because of the minu'te and un-noticeable adjustment.
One particular shooter from the Colorado team may accidently adjust well and the team, if under-the-basket plays and good defense may ultimately win the battle, but why would the university, the NCAA, coaches and administration ignore such a big adjustment issue and force home venue practices upon their own team? They could have gone to a New York University or other private venue to work at the proper climate level for several days. Does no one learn from the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Rockies? Shameful.
Tomorrow: 4-1-24 - Minnesota Women may have the same problem going into Wyoming for their game in the WBIT.
Then on 4-2-24 - The Men's team from Utah in the NIT will face the same short adjustment period.
