Longer 3 launches new look at game

A new 3-point line is in place for this college basketball season at 20 feet, 9 inches. It's a foot farther from the hoop, and the move is expected to alter how games unfold

The 3-pointer has long been a lure for players and an explosive part of the college basketball game, one that has helped shape the approach of teams -- and made giant-killers out of some.

Fans have watched over the past two decades as the number of 3-point shots in a game has more than doubled.

Now, it's time for a change: The NCAA is making the 3-pointer harder for men's teams this season, adding an extra foot and drawing the line at 20 feet, 9 inches from the basket.

Some players, coaches and fans say it will hardly change the game. Others will be watching.

Will teams put up fewer 3-point tries? Will more zone defense be played, forcing teams to shoot from outside? Will defenses be stretched and suffer? Will players still have the green light to fire away?

The ACC's best shooters aren't fazed by the longer shot. They weren't toeing the old line anyway.

"It's not going to affect any guards, I don't think," said Boston College senior Tyrese Rice, who ranked seventh in 3-point shooting last season in the ACC with about two made per game. "But maybe big men who shoot the trailer 3 or the kickout. It'll definitely spread the floor and make it harder on defense."

Virginia Tech senior A.D. Vassallo, who ranked fifth in the ACC last season, said even the best shooters now will have to work harder when they're tired.

And Miami senior Jack McClinton, who ranks third all-time in the ACC in field goal percentage and led the ACC last season with almost three 3s per game, sees the court opening up for mid-range shots.

"Maybe with one dribble you're at the old college line, but it's a wide-open shot," McClinton said. "Last year, one dribble would put you in the paint and it was more crowded."

Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio said teams will have to get smarter about its use.

"I think you better define your roles on the team," Gaudio said. "Some guys can shoot, and we'll let them. But we'll say, 'You better have your feet set, and it better be in rhythm.' "

More zone defense?

Playing defense might get harder.

For big men who jump out at the ballhandler or help on a shooter, it's now an extra step to go forward and another step back to recover to defend.

"An extra step in both directions definitely makes a difference," Vassallo said. "If your spacing is really good, it'll give a good passing team an advantage to find good shots."

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Duke won't change its habits on offense or defense. The Devils led the ACC with about nine made 3s per game last season.

"But it'll be interesting at the end of the year to see how many people drive more and how many more fouls are called," he said. "Usually you play zone because the other team can't shoot. Maybe more people will feel that way with the line way out there. Does that increase the amount of zones?"

Opening up the inside

The NCAA was trying to do something else with the new line -- break up congestion in the paint.

Several years ago, the NCAA experimented with a trapezoid-shaped line resembling the line used in the international game, but ultimately the NCAA didn't approve it for regular-season use.

Moving the 3-point line back was seen as another way to try to ease the roadblocks inside.

N.C. State senior forward Ben McCauley said he already had felt a difference inside during the Wolfpack's Red-White intrasquad scrimmage.

"When you have great shooters on your team like we do ... you have to respect that," McCauley said. "So it leaves a little room to go to work inside."

When teams help down inside, the post guy has to be able to kick it out. A balanced team can turn the defense into a yo-yo.