3-pt shot

The NCAA's Southern Conference became the first collegiate conference to use the three-point rule, adopting a 22-foot line in 1980. Over the following five years, NCAA conferences differed in their use of the rule and the distance they required for a three-point shot. The NCAA adopted the 19-foot, 9-inch line nationally in 1986. In 2007, the NCAA lengthened the men's three point distance to 20 feet 9 inches, with the rule coming into effect at the beginning of the 2008-09 season.  Source

For Butler to beat Duke, they have to be hot at 3-pointers and Duke relatively cold at same. That's my sense of how it will go.

When I played college basketball (!) in 1958, there were no 3 point shots. However, at Cal Tech we had a guard who was incredible between the key and half court, shooting 50% it seemed like, and his bombs kept us in most games. He was incredible. He is still the best 3-pt shooter, so named now, that I ever saw. That he also became a physicist is, well, one of the charms of athletics at a high-powered school.

If Butler plays like it did last night, however, Duke should win by 30. The line is only 7 this morning. I thought it would be more and may be more at game time. I'd put it at around 12. In other words, Butler is a big underdog -- but not for the first time in their incredible run. I'd love love love to see them upset Duke!