Yo! Remember back in the day! When Georgetown played Villanova for the NCAA Basketball Championship, back in 1985! That was 29 years ago, and I remember the game like it was yesterday! Georgetown had Patrick Ewing, Mike Jackson, and a whole gang of All-Americans, and were coached by the legendary John Thompson. Remember that white towel he would always bite on in close games! And Villanova, who had Ed Pinckney, and a bunch of nobodies, and were coached by the little stuffed pasta Rollie Massimino. Georgetown was supposed to mop up the floor with Villanova, while steamrolling their way to another championship. But in one of the smartest game plans I ever saw executed, Villanova patiently cut the Georgetown Hoyas down to size, en route to one of the biggest upsets in sports history! What a game!
The way Villanova was able to beat Georgetown was quiet simple! Georgetown flat out had a better team than Villanova, straight up and down! So, in order to counter Georgetown's superiority, Villanova used a delayed offense, primarily to limit Georgetown's offensive touches, but more importantly, to keep the game close! It was brilliant! By using this game plan, Villanova could ensure that the game would be decided by one or two critical possessions, at the end of the game, which basically meant, it could be anybodies ball game, to win or loose! Luckily for Villanova, everything worked out as planned! It was a thrilling game, that kept you on the edge of your seat, till the end! After that championship game, though, at the start of the following season, the NCAA instituted the 45 second shot clock, for all basketball games! Now you couldn't stall the ball during games anymore, like Villanova had did the previous year. It would be the end of an era, and grind it out basketball, along with the North Carolina Tar Heels four-corner offense, and maybe a chance to see another great college basketball championship upset!
After the Villanova Championship, the NCAA switch to a 45 second shot clock. Then to a 35 second shot clock! In the Premiere Hoops Invitation, we'll use a 24 second shot clock! Why 24 seconds, you may ask? Well, for one, we already have a 24 second shot clock, and can't change them to 35 seconds, like the NCAA's. Plus, the 24 second shot clocks we will be using in our Invitation Tournament, will be the same 24 second shot clocks, we will be using for our NBA-style Summer and Fall leagues! The NBA does use 24 second shot clocks, as you may already know! Finally, these basketball events, were designed for big boys, so step your game up! It was magical, back in 85, when Villanova used the delayed offense to win their championship. But if a team tried that today, it would be considered politically incorrect, and any team trying to use it now, would certainly be vilified, if not crucified, by opposing teams and the general public! Premiere Hoops will be using a 24 second shot clock, and although some of the teams jumping in the tournament, may have a few older players, I don't expect to hear too much complaining about it! So with that said, if you are not use to playing basketball, with a 24 second shot clock, you've got about 6 weeks to get yourself and your team ready. So you better get started, right now! Up next, No. 6. Clearence Sale
Screen And Roll
How a health screen help extend my life!
