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Around the Horn reacts to Geno Auriemma's suggestion of lowering the rims

posted by Swish Appeal
Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 7:39am EDT

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@swishappeal ..agree with 24 sec clock..8 sec backct..big ball... don't agree lowering rim...

— Lin Dunn (@Coach_Dunn) October 23, 2012

By now you've probably heard about John Altavilla's article in the Hartford Courant in which he reports that UConn basketball coach Geno Auriemma thinks that women's college basketball needs to change its rules to help the game grow.

Since one of his suggestions has dominated the reactions around the web, here's a brief list of what they were:

  • Reducing the shot clock from 30 seconds to 24 seconds (which both the WNBA and FIBA have done);
  • Adding an 8-second backcourt rule, which the NBA and FIBA have done;
  • Dropping the smaller women's ball and using a bigger ball;
  • Selecting cities that traditionally support women's basketball as NCAA tournament sites and not changing them year-to-year;
  • Lowering the rims from 10 feet to increase shooting percentages.

While it's likely that few will object to the first three points, it's the fifth one that has drawn the most attention/criticism. Altavilla reported that Auriemma expected some criticism from his women's basketball colleagues, "...because they believe the level of athleticism in the game couldn't keep up with the faster game." However, Bob Ryan had another line of reasoning when asked about the matter of lowering the rims on ESPN's sports talk show Around the Horn yesterday (click here for story and video), which reflects something he's described in writing about his appreciation for women's basketball in the past.

"Nothing you do will make some men watch this game, okay? Now, in terms of Geno, he does know more about the game than almost anybody - I think it's a very interesting proposal that will probably have a lot of merit. The only problem is that in terms of the actual jumpshooting, (it) would be down. But the fact is that the women who are involved in this game - the women coaches, administrators - would be very upset at the idea that women's inferiority is at the root of this."

Commentators Kevin Blackistone and Israel Gutierrez presented opposing opinions on the subject as well, but the core of Ryan's point is probably most salient here: at the root of almost any reason given for why sports fans don't watch women's basketball - college or pro - is typically an assumption of women's inferiority in playing the sport. In many cases, once a true basketball fan (someone who appreciates the beauty of the game rather than the pop culture elements surrounding it) actually watches a women's college or professional basketball game a lot of their pre-conceived notions about what it is from Family Guy are quickly challenged.

Nevertheless, the game certainly has room for growth and hopefully the matter of lowering the rims doesn't overshadow his other suggestions - particularly the first two above - that would speed up the game in a much more palatable manner.

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There are 4 comments on this post. Join the discussion!

mcjack says:

Haven't quite formed an opinion about lowering the rims. People who have forgoten more about basketball than I will ever know have weighed in on both sides.

I tend to think it's impractical, just because of the adjustments that would need to be made on every playground in America. After all, you can't have girls shooting from a 10' rim their entire life only to enter college and have the trajectory of their shot suddenly change.

The one appeal Geno does make that I entirely agree with is establishing a permenant home site for the final 4, be it San Antonio or wherever.

College baseball is also a niche sport, but the city of Omaha goes all out every year hosting the event. It is their baby. And everyone from the director of the convention and tourism bureau on down to the local merchants plan and market for it all year and pour their efforts into making it a big deal.

I think making a permenant site for the Women's Final 4 would be a HUGE boost. Maybe not for TV ratings(initially), but for all the other ancillary things that go along with it, which I think would help with the overall building process.

Friday, October 26, 2012 at 9:35pm EDT

mcjack says:

And now that I think about it more, San Antonio would be the perfect permenant site for the final 4. great weather for that time of year makes for a good travel destination, the riverwalk and nightlife are appealing, plenty of suitable infrastructure already in place, good population base, etc.

I think Geno is on to something here. I'm on board with making San Antonio the permenant home for the women's final 4.

Friday, October 26, 2012 at 10:02pm EDT

mcjack says:

damn. permAnEnt, about 18 times. android isn't as smart as advertised ;-)

Friday, October 26, 2012 at 10:08pm EDT

Crimson says:

A good balanced commentary from ESPNW on the rim thing.

http://espn.go.com/espnw/commentary/8551073/listen-geno-auriemma-ideas-changing-women-basketball

Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 9:53am EDT

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