NCAA ball inflation

[rocky_warrior]

Also think it's incredibly stupid to play 40 games in basketball arenas and then the 3 biggest games of the year move into a giant football stadium.  Money talks.  But it's still dumb.

Hah, other than your very homer math, agree.

[wadesworld]

Hah, other than your very homer math, agree.

Haha sorry.  38 games prior to the Final Four (UCONN is 35-3).  Then they play two Final Four games in a football stadium.

[rocky_warrior]

Haha sorry.  38 games prior to the Final Four (UCONN is 35-3).  Then they play two Final Four games in a football stadium.

In 2003 Marquette played the S16 and E8 games in a football stadium...

[MUfan12]

In 2003 Marquette played the S16 and E8 games in a football stadium...

First two rounds as well.

[Sir Lawrence]

First two rounds as well.

And both are gone. 

[rocky_warrior]

First two rounds as well.

Right.  I didn't attend the Indy games.  Had a preplanned trip (I know, bad planning) for the final four.  My friends called heckling me from Bourbon St.

[MUbiz]

Karaban thinks the balls are inflated as well: https://twitter.com/BobbyPfor3/status/1774637584750161971

[rocky_warrior]

Karaban thinks the balls are inflated as well

Who can argue with that!  I think we'd all recognize a flat ball 

[MUbiz]

Who can argue with that!  I think we'd all recognize a flat ball 

  Overinflated - my bad!

[rocky_warrior]

Karaban has had some spectacularly good shooting streaks this year.  And some spectacularly bad streaks.  Prior to the NCAA tournament.

[wadesworld]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8n_nfDQBRU

From (I assume) someone at Wilson himself.  I don't know exactly what "rebalancing the air" so that you can "shoot from further" means.  But seems like the ball travels further, which would explain missing shots long if you are used to playing with a different ball.  Missing long also goes to feeling "lighter" like a lot of people say about the ball.

[rocky_warrior]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8n_nfDQBRU

From (I assume) someone at Wilson himself.  I don't know exactly what "rebalancing the air" so that you can "shoot from further" means.  But seems like the ball travels further, which would explain missing shots long if you are used to playing with a different ball.  Missing long also goes to feeling "lighter" like a lot of people say about the ball.

Why does the NCAA hate peach baskets!?!?!

[brewcity77]

I do think this just points to the silliness of playing with different balls at different arenas. I get that some things like sight lines are going to vary, having standardized equipment shouldn't be an issue. Pick one ball, make it the official ball of NCAA Men's Basketball, and have an acceptable inflation point for said ball so everyone is using the same thing all year long.

Whether this really contributes to the issue or not, it would be irrelevant if everyone used the same ball under the same circumstances from November through April.

[rocky_warrior]

Section 16. The Ball
Art. 1. The ball shall be spherical. Spherical shall be defined as a round body
whose surface at all points is equidistant from the center, except at the approved
black rubber ribs (channels and/or seams).
Art. 2. The ball's color shall be Pantone Matching System (PMS) Orange 151,
Red-Orange 173 or Brown 1535.
Art. 3. The cover of the ball shall be leather, or a composite material, and shall
consist of tiny raised protrusions densely spaced over the entire surface of each
panel so as to form a pebbled appearance.
Art. 4. The ball shall have the traditionally shaped eight panels, bonded tightly
to the rubber carcass. The eight panels are defined by two channels and/or seams
dissecting the ball's circumference in opposite directions and two panels that,
when laid flat, shall have the shape of a figure eight.
Art. 5. The width of the black rubber rib (channels and/or seams) shall not
exceed 1/4 inch.
Art. 6. When dribbled vertically, without rotation, the ball shall return directly
to the dribbler's hand. Small electronic chips/devices are permitted to be affixed
inside the ball as long as there is no perceptible effect on the ball when dribbled,
passed or shot.
Art. 7. The ball shall be inflated to an air pressure such that when it is dropped
to the playing surface from a height of 6 feet, measured to the bottom of the
ball, it will rebound to a height, measured to the top of the ball, of not less than
49 inches when it strikes its least resilient spot, nor more than 54 inches when it
strikes its most resilient spot. The air pressure that will give the required reaction
shall be stamped on the ball.
Art. 8. The circumference of the ball shall be within a maximum of 30 inches
and a minimum of 29½ inches.
Art. 9. The weight of the ball shall not be less than 20 ounces nor more than
22 ounces.
Art. 10. The home team shall provide a ball that meets the specifications listed
in this section. The referee shall judge the legality of the ball and may select a
ball for use provided by the visiting team when the home team cannot provide
a legal ball.
Note: It is recommended that the home team provide the visiting team with warmup balls of the same type as the game ball.

[MUfan12]

Other issue could be that they're just too new. The NBA guidance for game balls is to be used in practice for weeks to break them in.

[TallTitan34]

Note: It is recommended that the home team provide the visiting team with warmup balls of the same type as the game ball.

So in theory you could set out volleyballs for the other team to warmup with.  It's only recommended to provide the same type of ball as the game ball...

[rocky_warrior]

So in theory you could set out volleyballs for the other team to warmup with.  It's only recommended to provide the same type of ball as the game ball...

Yes.  The specs are pretty well laid out, but kinda ridiculous that they allow for home court shenanigans.

[MUbiz]

Crazy to me the ball has to be between 20 and 22 ounces. That seems like a massive variation, especially for D1 athletes who develop muscle memory off the shot. The fact there is no PSI standard is also crazy to me, but that plays into the weight of the ball.

[TallTitan34]

Art. 7. The ball shall be inflated to an air pressure such that when it is dropped
to the playing surface from a height of 6 feet, measured to the bottom of the
ball, it will rebound to a height, measured to the top of the ball, of not less than
49 inches when it strikes its least resilient spot, nor more than 54 inches when it
strikes its most resilient spot. The air pressure that will give the required reaction
shall be stamped on the ball.

I'd like to see this test done between a tournament ball and the various balls used during the season.

It may just be the different ball itself or the lack of breaking in as others have noted (and not over-inflation), but the ball appears more bouncy.

[Jay Bee]

In 2003 Marquette played the S16 and E8 games in a football stadium...

If by football stadium, you mean glorious, multi-use stadium.

[Bo Ryan's Massage Therapist]

I'm  sure Val Ackerman is all over this and has already read the NCAA the riot act regarding the balls

[HansMoleman]

https://twitter.com/BobbyPfor3/status/1775365677227892887

[MU82]

I do think this just points to the silliness of playing with different balls at different arenas. I get that some things like sight lines are going to vary, having standardized equipment shouldn't be an issue. Pick one ball, make it the official ball of NCAA Men's Basketball, and have an acceptable inflation point for said ball so everyone is using the same thing all year long.

Whether this really contributes to the issue or not, it would be irrelevant if everyone used the same ball under the same circumstances from November through April.

This. Obviously.

Such a "duh," it's easy to see why the NCAA and its member institutions eff this up, too.

[The Sultan]

This. Obviously.

Such a "duh," it's easy to see why the NCAA and its member institutions eff this up, too.

I believe the NCAA doesn't do this with any equipment in any sport. They set standards and allow the schools to select equipment to those standards.  This is why you see "ball boys" on both sidelines for each team because they are each using their own balls on offense.

So this would be a step that the organization hasn't taken in the past, and honestly I don't think the members would have any interest in persuing.

[MU82]

I believe the NCAA doesn't do this with any equipment in any sport. They set standards and allow the schools to select equipment to those standards.  This is why you see "ball boys" on both sidelines for each team because they are each using their own balls on offense.

So this would be a step that the organization hasn't taken in the past, and honestly I don't think the members would have any interest in persuing.

My opinion (and brew's) is that they should have an interest in pursuing it. It seems like an obvious thing to do to level the playing field.

Others are allowed their own opinions, of course, and ultimately the only opinions that matter are those of NCAA poobahs.