MVC coaches: Shot clock isn’t the only fix for basketball’s offensive problems

More possessions lead to more scoring.

Right?

That is the rationale for the NCAA adopting the 30-second shot clock for the 2015-16 season. With scoring and shooting percentages sinking, the NCAA is tinkering with the game to restore some of the balance of power to offenses.

Missouri Valley Conference coaches aren’t sure things will turn out as intended. Shaving five seconds off the shot clock may make it harder to score because defenses can force offenses in more low-efficiency situations as the shot clock nears zero. Players who shine at those moments — such as Wichita State guard Fred VanVleet — will continue to shine. Teams without a player who can create for himself or teammates consistently may find that weakness stings a little more.

“The advantage could, possibly, go to the defense,” Missouri State coach Paul Lusk said. “They’re trying to accelerate the game, score more points. I’m not so sure that’s the solution. Overall, guys need to put the ball in the basket a little bit better. That’s the solution — guys becoming more skilled and working on their game.”

Five MVC coaches participated in a summer update conference call on Monday. The conversation focused on the rules changes recently adopted, which also include eliminating the ability of a coach to call a timeout during play, video review for shot-clock violations on baskets and for flopping and extending the block-charge arc to 4 feet under the basket.

The other five coaches — including Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall — are on deck for next Monday.

The move to the 30-second clock brings the men’s game in line with women’s college basketball and closer to the NBA and FIBA standards of 24 seconds. Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson took his team to the World University Games in 2007 and played with the 24-second clock.

“At 24 seconds, it’s certainly a different game,” he said. “Going from 35 to 30, it’s going to be different, but I don’t think it’s going to be drastically different.”

Drake coach Ray Giacoletti is talking with NBA coaches to adapt his offense and adapt his offense to the shortened shot clock. The Bulldogs will play an exhibition tour in Italy in August and will get 10 practices with the new clock before leaving.

“It’s basically trying to be more efficient at the end of the clock and not pulling the ball out to set something up and try to stay within our flow,” he said. “Defensively, I think it’s going to come down to staying disciplined and not bailing people out with fouls. Teams that foul under seven seconds on that clock, those teams, undisciplined teams, I think are going to get themselves in trouble.”

Scoring in the men’s game dropped to an average of 67.6 points last season, down from 71 in 2014 when similar rules debuted, and under 68 for the second time since 1983. Referees, as they did before the 2013-14 seasons, will again be charged with helping dribblers, cutters and shooters by limiting contact by defenders.

“We want players to be able to move around the floor without getting pushed and shoved and chucked and blocked,” MVC coordinator of officials Eddie Jackson said. “What’s going to help scoring is the emphasis we’re going to have this year on freedom of movement.”

▪  Lansing revealed that the entry code for Indiana State’s locker room contains the final score of last season’s 81-53 loss to Loyola in the MVC Tournament.

“I don’t want them forgetting,” he said. “The guys give me crap about it and they’re about tired of doing it. But I really felt like in that game that we did not compete. That doesn’t sit very well with me.”

▪  Northern Iowa must replace its big-man rotation with the departures of MVC Player of the Year Seth Tuttle and forwards Marvin Singleton and Nate Buss.

While the returners didn’t play much last season, they do possess a reasonable amount of experience. Sophomores Ted Friedman (6-foot-9), lefty Klint Carlson (6-7) and Bennett Koch (6-11) are all entering their third seasons with the Panthers, courtesy of redshirt years.

“I’m excited for those guys to have their turn now,” Jacobson said. “(Koch) is probably the best low-block scorer of the three. We’ve got three guys that we feel good about.”

▪  Illinois State’s status as an MVC contender took a hit when sophomore center Reggie Lynch transferred to Minnesota. The Redbirds will miss his size and shot-blocking, but coach Dan Muller does have other big men to consider.

Quintin Brewer (6-8) is a senior transfer who averaged 9.2 points and 7.0 rebounds at Bethune-Cookman. Nick Banyard (6-9) practiced with the team last season after transferring from New Mexico. Dauoda "David" Ndiaye is a 6-11 freshman.

“(Banyard) is a guy who can guard every position, basically, because of his feet,” Muller said. “He gives us a presence inside, but also can do things on the perimeter.”

This story was originally published June 22, 2015 at 6:12 PM with the headline "MVC coaches: Shot clock isn’t the only fix for basketball’s offensive problems."