Shooters adjust to Lucas Oil Stadium's open space March 26 Indy.com
Shooting practice was a high priority as the four teams competing in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional took the floor today at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The 50-minute practices gave the players an opportunity to adjust to the sightlines in the cavernous stadium. The raised basketball court has been placed in the center of the stadium running in the same direction as the football field. Although large, black curtains are draped at each end of the court, depth perception could be a problem for the shooters.
“We spent our entire 50 minutes on shooting just so we could get used to it,” Arizona coach Russ Pennell said.“It’s huge,” Wildcats guard Kyle Fogg said of the venue. “My shots were really short, but (my teammates) kept telling me not to worry about it and that I’ll knock them down in the game.”Arizona (21-13), a No. 12 seed, faces No. 1-seeded Louisville (30-5) in a game scheduled to begin at 7:07 p.m. Friday. Thirty minutes after that game ends, No. 3 Kansas (27-7) faces No. 2 Michigan State (28-6) in the second regional semifinal.The winners meet Sunday with a trip to next weekend’s Final Four in Detroit on the line.About 1,000 local fans took advantage of the free admission and available courtside seats to watch the open practices.Louisville coach Rick Pitino said the shooting percentage for any team playing in a domed stadium is bound to be down from its norm.“So you’ve got to understand that it takes time to get used to it,” he said. “It’s very important that you take high-percentage shots. I’m hoping we don’t have to rely on just jump-shooting to win
The 50-minute practices gave the players an opportunity to adjust to the sightlines in the cavernous stadium. The raised basketball court has been placed in the center of the stadium running in the same direction as the football field. Although large, black curtains are draped at each end of the court, depth perception could be a problem for the shooters.
“We spent our entire 50 minutes on shooting just so we could get used to it,” Arizona coach Russ Pennell said.“It’s huge,” Wildcats guard Kyle Fogg said of the venue. “My shots were really short, but (my teammates) kept telling me not to worry about it and that I’ll knock them down in the game.”Arizona (21-13), a No. 12 seed, faces No. 1-seeded Louisville (30-5) in a game scheduled to begin at 7:07 p.m. Friday. Thirty minutes after that game ends, No. 3 Kansas (27-7) faces No. 2 Michigan State (28-6) in the second regional semifinal.The winners meet Sunday with a trip to next weekend’s Final Four in Detroit on the line.About 1,000 local fans took advantage of the free admission and available courtside seats to watch the open practices.Louisville coach Rick Pitino said the shooting percentage for any team playing in a domed stadium is bound to be down from its norm.“So you’ve got to understand that it takes time to get used to it,” he said. “It’s very important that you take high-percentage shots. I’m hoping we don’t have to rely on just jump-shooting to win
What does this spell to the hedgie? U-N-D-E-R !! across the board
Zona/Louisville UNDER 139 2 stars
Kansas/ Mich St UNDER 138 1 star ( met earlier in yr. mich st won 72-65 = 137 )
Zaga/ Carolina PASS - highest total on board at 162 1/2 staying away
Syracuse/Oklahoma UNDER 152 1/2 3 stars (poor free throw shooting teams)
