In a recent interview with SpartansWire contributor Chris Farmer, Tom Izzo was asked what his thoughts were around the new NCAA three-point line rule change and if he thinks it will affect this year’s roster in any meaningful way. The NCAA decided back at the start of this month to move the range back the Men’s Basketball three-point line to the 22 feet, 1 3/4 inches. For perspective, that is the same length used in the WNBA as well as FIBA international play. Previously, the line was at 20 feet, 9 inches from the top of the key.
To put it simply, Izzo wasn’t a fan. When asked, Izzo said:
“I wish they would have gone to the NBA three I still think it’s too short… I think pretty soon we’re gonna get like everyone else where he just shoot threes and I don’t think it’s necessarily healthy. But I’m glad it got moved back a foot or whatever and yet I could do one more. Make it the NBA range, make it a tough shot, open up the lane a little more in my humble opinion. So I think it’s going to affect everybody a little bit, not a lot. Hopefully it’ll open up the game a little more.”
Izzo’s comments aren’t far from my own on the subject, as we both think to extend the three-point line will open up the game and allow for more spacing on the court. Izzo is also focused on the difficulty, thinking the current range makes it a little too easy still.
