USD Men's Basketball 1996-1997

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With todays p layers like Allen Iverson nailing treys well behind the collep diatance, many believe the line should be p ushed back to the NBA standard.

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t was the 1986-87 season, the one that made Ric k Pitino

led by Tony Delk and Ron Mercer hitting treys from the outside, won the national champion ship. "It's a style that I have always liked," said Pitino. "I want kids who can play defense, run up and down the floor, and hit the three-point shot. There's no doubt that the three is an integral part of our offense, but it is more important th at we stop the shot than we make it. Jusl as we used it extensively my first two years here to upset better teams and to camou– flage our weaknesses, other Learns could do the same things Lo us if we don't defend that line." Nowadays, more and more coaches fol– low Pitino's initial strategy and look for three-point specialists as much as they seek out dominating centers. That's because hi story will tell you that a top three-point man could be the key ingredi- Continued

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famous. It was the first season the three-point shot was imple– mented in the college game and Pitino and his Providence Friars were more than ready to Lake advantage of it. Led by sharpshooters Billy Donovan, Delray Brooks and Ernie Lewis, the Friars finished fourth in the Big East, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. From there, Providence made more three-pointers than any other Learn and became the Cinderella surprise by reaching the Final Four. In essence, Pitino and his offensive scheme of push– ing the ball upcourt and looking for three-pointers (shots that were taken from beyond the arc) was before its time. Last year, Pitino's Kentucky Wildcats,

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Forme r Georgetown sta r A llen / verso

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