3 point contest- question

[smitty]

I saw the dunk and 3-point contest last night, and I read Kirk Wessler's article in todays Peoria Journal Star.

http://pjstar.com/stories/033106/KIR_B9DA0SD0.077.shtml

The announcers on TV and Mr. Wessler made a big deal out of the fact that women players have beaten the men players in the 3 point contest for the past several years. But they never mentioned one key fact that I think should, at least deserve a mention.

Women play with a smaller ball. I believe the men's ball is about 10 inches in diameter while the women's is just 9 inches in diameter. I have a daughter that plays, and we shoot around with the smaller ball. There is no question that when I shoot with the smaller womens' ball, I can shoot a much higher percentage. Regardless of where on the court I shoot from. Anyone who would doubt this should simply try it themselves. The difference is immediately obvious and it is a proven fact.

I can understand why women use a smaller ball, as their hands are generally smaller and it is so much easier to dribble and handle than the larger ball. But it is also easier to shoot a higher percentage. It just seems to me that if you are going to have a competetion between the men and women, then you should use the same ball for both.

It would be like having a long driving competetion in golf, but allowing women to use the front tees while men use the back tees. Or a putting contest where women get to putt at a larger hole.

I have no problem if they want to give the women a handicap, but I think someone, at some time during the competetion should at least mention that the balls are different sizes. Mr. Wessler, if you are going to make such a big deal out of the fact that women have beaten the men in this competetion, don't you think that is a significant factor that should be mentioned?

[MickeyT]

You are correct. There is a difference in sizes.

>The Men's size 7 regulation basketball has a circumference between 29.5-30 inches, it weighs 20-22 ounces, and has a diameter of 9.39 inches.

>The Women's size 6 regulation basketball has a circumference between 28.5 and 28 7/8 inches, it weighs 17.5-19.5 ounces and has a diameter of 9.07 inches.

http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/What_is_the_diameter_circumference_or_radius_of_a_basketball

[user1]

I will be interested to see what happens in the future.

As most know, there are proposed changes in the college game that we have seen on a trial basis in some of the preseason games.
The mens 3-point arc is likely to be changed when the NCAA rules committee meets in May, 2006. The distance will go from 19-9 to either 20-6.25 (which is the international distance) or 20-9. (probably taking effect 2007-200

BUT the 3-point arc for the womens college games will NOT be changed.

That means that the men will have a longer shot to hit a 3-pointer during the entirety of the season, in all season to come...
Will they then carry the different distances over to the 3-point competition in the postseason? How will they do the mens vs. womens comptition??
It will be interesting to see.



By the way, here is an article about the 3-point shot.

DID YOU KNOW?????

--in the very first year (1986-1987) the 3-point shot was in effect for all of NCAA basketball, the nationwide average in all of D-I was 38.4%. Last year it was 34.7%. So why after 20 years have college shooters not gotten any better, but instead have gotten considerably WORSE!

--the answer may be right here....in 86-87 college teams attempted an average of 9.2 3-pointers per game, while last year it was 18.3!

--in 86-87 15.7% of all shot attempts were 3-pointers, but last year that pct. was 32.9%

--For nearly 50 years critics have lamented that the game was increasingly dominated by big men. So lots of rules followed to impede the big men's abilities---lane widening, no dunking rules in college, 3-point shots, 3-second calls, banning zone in NBA, etc.
Now there is a move to reduce the tendency for teams to fire up so many 3's, and there are those who lament the disappearance of the dominant BIG MAN, so much so, that this factor might just be enough to lure Patrick O'Bryant out a bit early because he's one of the few top college big guys.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14229418p-15052535c.html

[mplona]

Re: 3 point contest- question

I saw the dunk and 3-point contest last night, and I read Kirk Wessler's article in todays Peoria Journal Star.

http://pjstar.com/stories/033106/KIR_B9DA0SD0.077.shtml

The announcers on TV and Mr. Wessler made a big deal out of the fact that women players have beaten the men players in the 3 point contest for the past several years. But they never mentioned one key fact that I think should, at least deserve a mention.

Women play with a smaller ball. I believe the men's ball is about 10 inches in diameter while the women's is just 9 inches in diameter. I have a daughter that plays, and we shoot around with the smaller ball. There is no question that when I shoot with the smaller womens' ball, I can shoot a much higher percentage. Regardless of where on the court I shoot from. Anyone who would doubt this should simply try it themselves. The difference is immediately obvious and it is a proven fact.

I can understand why women use a smaller ball, as their hands are generally smaller and it is so much easier to dribble and handle than the larger ball. But it is also easier to shoot a higher percentage. It just seems to me that if you are going to have a competetion between the men and women, then you should use the same ball for both.

It would be like having a long driving competetion in golf, but allowing women to use the front tees while men use the back tees. Or a putting contest where women get to putt at a larger hole.

I have no problem if they want to give the women a handicap, but I think someone, at some time during the competetion should at least mention that the balls are different sizes. Mr. Wessler, if you are going to make such a big deal out of the fact that women have beaten the men in this competetion, don't you think that is a significant factor that should be mentioned?

i know its differnt but you shouldnt be forced to use the same ball:

if you use the mens ball for both, women are not used to it... advantage men.

if you use womens ball, though unfamiliar it may be as you said its easier to get in, neutral to advantage men.

so why not let them shoot with a ball they would normally shoot with, which im sure theyve been shooting with for the last god knows how many years. i think its fair.

[smitty]

Actually, I wasn't in favor of having them use the same ball. I just wanted either the announcers, or Mr. Wessler, or anyone else who comments about the women being better at the 3 point shooting to at least mention that there is a diffference in the balls. That probably makes a difference in the shooting, and thus the results.

It would be like having any competetion that people thought was fair, but was secretly rigged to favor one side. Nobody would think it's right not to reveal that one side has an advantage.

[patrick_o'brian]

Re: 3 point contest- question

I saw the dunk and 3-point contest last night, and I read Kirk Wessler's article in todays Peoria Journal Star.

http://pjstar.com/stories/033106/KIR_B9DA0SD0.077.shtml

The announcers on TV and Mr. Wessler made a big deal out of the fact that women players have beaten the men players in the 3 point contest for the past several years. But they never mentioned one key fact that I think should, at least deserve a mention.

Women play with a smaller ball. I believe the men's ball is about 10 inches in diameter while the women's is just 9 inches in diameter. I have a daughter that plays, and we shoot around with the smaller ball. There is no question that when I shoot with the smaller womens' ball, I can shoot a much higher percentage. Regardless of where on the court I shoot from. Anyone who would doubt this should simply try it themselves. The difference is immediately obvious and it is a proven fact.

I can understand why women use a smaller ball, as their hands are generally smaller and it is so much easier to dribble and handle than the larger ball. But it is also easier to shoot a higher percentage. It just seems to me that if you are going to have a competetion between the men and women, then you should use the same ball for both.

It would be like having a long driving competetion in golf, but allowing women to use the front tees while men use the back tees. Or a putting contest where women get to putt at a larger hole.

I have no problem if they want to give the women a handicap, but I think someone, at some time during the competetion should at least mention that the balls are different sizes. Mr. Wessler, if you are going to make such a big deal out of the fact that women have beaten the men in this competetion, don't you think that is a significant factor that should be mentioned?

It's fair. Have you ever tried to shoot with a women's ball? I wouldn't advise it. You tend to overshoot alot. Corner shots are nearly impossible. It's fine the way it is.

[smitty]

Yes, I have played with the smaller women's ball. That's my point. I can palm the ball easily, I can dribble and control the ball far better because it fits my hand easily, and my shooting percentage is much higher with the smaller ball, anywhere on the court. If I am anywhere within 6 feet of the basket, every shot I take will go in the basket. Free throws- I can make 75% without even warming up. I can't come close to that with the larger ball when I shoot a hundred warmups. I would have loved to have played with this smaller ball when I played.

[patrick_o'brian]

Yes, I have played with the smaller women's ball. That's my point. I can palm the ball easily, I can dribble and control the ball far better because it fits my hand easily, and my shooting percentage is much higher with the smaller ball, anywhere on the court. If I am anywhere within 6 feet of the basket, every shot I take will go in the basket. Free throws- I can make 75% without even warming up. I can't come close to that with the larger ball when I shoot a hundred warmups. I would have loved to have played with this smaller ball when I played.

Do you play with a woman's ball alot? It's a proven fact that it is harder to shoot with a ball that is too small for your hand. Just ask shaq! Use a regulation ball more and you will not be so accustomed to the girl's ball.

[smitty]

I have a daughter who plays basketball in school. I have played in the driveway with her a lot over the past few years, so I have had plenty of time to play with the small ball.

I'd like to see where "It's a proven fact that it is harder to shoot with a ball that is too small for your hand"

The women's ball is only about 1" smaller diameter. That's not "too small for your hand" unless you are Shaq.
Just think of how many shots just barely miss and catch a little of the rim when you play with a regulation ball. With the small ball, most of those near-miss shots, just go right in the basket. I have to believe it would improve anyone's shooting percentage.

But my main point in this discussion was not even how they differ, only that it was never mentioned by anyone (Wessler, or the announcers) that there is a difference. I just think if you are going to make critical remarks about the men and the men's winner Novak, then they should have reported that they played with different balls. I don't accept that women are somehow inherently better shooters which was implied. If you look at the percentages in women's games, they are not better than mens.

[MacabreMob]

... this factor might just be enough to lure Patrick O'Bryant out a bit early because he's one of the few top college big guys.

It's a conspiracy to hose Bradley.