[wilko]

Hi First off, Im not a referee or official just a fan who wants to learn and have a better understanding of why things are the way they are currently in College basketball.

Before the Uconn /GM game.. I was watching some of the tribute to Pistol Pete on CBS. Pistol was a shade before my time so All I had go on was very vague memories and the highlights that were carefully selected from various points in his career.

What jumped out at me was the "lack" of defense... at least by todays standards. I found it hard to believe that things had changed sooo much between watching that and the the GM amd Fla games. Did I fall prey to select clips? Were defenses really that bad? or were the game rules just interpreted differently then.

I cant help but feel that if we had a player of his caliber today we might miss it, because the current style of play would pummel him unmercifully.

It sure seems that baskeball has been devalued as a skill and that an over emphasis is being placed on athleticism and with that increased contact. Being physical is indeed the great equalizer in making a good team play bad.

Am I off base? why is this and is being done if anything to counterbalance and make basketball about skill?

Personally, to quote Seinfeld "I'm rooting for the laundry" Im gonna watch my team regaredless... I wouldnt care if the field of 64 all ran the Prinecton Offense, Im still gonna watch.

Am I wrong? Im really disappointed in the way the game has gone lately.