Why So Offensive?

(St. Louis, MO) – Why are Missouri Valley Conference teams are scoring more and allowing more points than last season? NCAA rule changes, of a shortened the shot clock and less contact by defensive players seems to have accomplished the desired affect. Many predicted massive numbers of free throws would ensue, but that hasn’t been the case for Valley teams.  So why are so many more points being scored?

Eight of the 10 Valley teams are scoring more AND eight are allowing more points than last year. Evansville, last year’s highest scoring Valley team (70.9 ppg) leads again with a 78.7 average. They are one of four teams averaging better than 70 points per game. Last year, just two teams accomplished that. Only one team (Bradley) averages under 60 points per game, after four did last year.

A 30-second shot clock, changes in the way players have to defend are obvious contributing factors. Valley coaches say the rules changes affect the game in ways that mean more than just more free throws.

Indiana State is one of the rare teams allowing fewer points than last season and head coach Greg Lansing says he thinks the rule changes have brought about the desired result, and teams have learned to adjust to the rules and the free throw totals are starting to come down.

Drake head coach Ray Giacoletti says the rule changes have created a scenario where players are driving more with the hopes of making a basket or getting fouled.

 

 

Northern Iowa has had the most dramatically negative change defensively, allowing over 11 more points per game than last year. Head coach Ben Jacobson says players have learned they can drive with greater confidence due to the new rules.

 

 

Jacobson’s team is team has struggled defensively, and he says their struggles stem from being young in the front court.

 

 

Seven of the Valley teams are worse, percentage wise from long distance, but six of the ten are actually making more three-pointers than last year. While free throw attempts are up slightly, only Wichita State whose offensive increase is 3.1 more points than last season seem to be significantly helped by the extra attempts. The Shockers are gaining 2.2 points per game at the charity stripe.

Only Bradley and Loyola are scoring fewer points this year and only Evansville and Indiana State are holding people to fewer points than they allowed in 2014-15. Loyola’s league best defense of just 62.2 points per game would have been only fifth best last year.

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