Shot Clocks & Goliath

#1 posting 10.4.2007
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SHOT CLOCK
The Shot clock idea is up for a vote today in the Minnesota State HS League. The boys coaches have been pushing this agenda. If it passes expect the girls to be saddled with it too. The time frame they are looking at is 35 seconds. But there are so many "onlys" and "ifs" in the proposal.

Only in Non Cons IF both teams agree,

Only in Non Post season Tournaments

By the way the average possessions last year was 68 in the games I charted. The lowest was Breck vs Tartan with 98 total. With 2160 seconds in a 36 minute game (two 18 minute halves) That broke down to 22.04 seconds per possession. Most of the games it was 15.88 seconds per possession. The fastest paced game was Park Center vs Stillwater with a combined 180 possessions or 12 seconds per possession.

Plus I can see problems now with not starting the shot clock, or starting it too soon. There are problems right now with clocks at games. I see it constantly at games. "Stop the clock" is a phrase I have heard more than once. Someone is going to have to run the clock. That will add expense, not to mention the new wiring for the clock. I know the scoreboard people are lobbying for this new useless rule.

The boys want to add this to "Speed up the game and add excitement."

Here is an idea: ground your players in basics like passing, ball handling and shot selection and get your team to the gold standard of 100.0 pp100. If I have to see 57.5 pp100 games with shot clocks I think I may have to puke.

Let us call this what it really is: A rule to prevent upsets. It takes another rock out of David's bag in the chance to slay Goliath. It started with the additional four minutes of game time. David I guess should know his place and make it easier for Goliath.

Quit greasing the game for Goliath.

The StarTribune reports on the issue too.

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