A friend and I were wondering if shooting percentages go down in the Final Four. Anecdotally it seems it would because it’s such a different look when you are in the middle of a giant football stadium, all that space behind the baskets.
There is some evidence to support this:
Last year, USA Today reported that there was a considerable drop-off in scoring totals in games that were played in domes. This phenomenon has become known as “the dome effect.” In fact, games played in domes resulted in scores up to 20 points lower than regular season averages and 14 points lower than early round NCAA tournament games. Lower shooting percentages have proven to be the norm in the Men’s Final Four games, which have been played in large venues since 1997.
It’s weird optics. At the arena, it appears to be very distracting. Watching the games last night, it seemed much cozier from the camera angles they showed.
I coached high school basketball one year, and we were fortunate enough to get to play a game at the Toyota Center. I had some shooters, but their depth perception was thrown WAY off by the vast expanse behind the goal. Kids that were making 30% normally were airballing in there. I imagine Lucas Oil would be even harder.
It seems to me this could be to our advantage in that we are not a great shooting team, good not great, however we all know about the rebounding… so if it throws off Baylor, it might be more advatageous for us. I dunno, thinking out loud.
Hate to point this out, but Baylor just played in Lucas Oil and was 8 for 15 from 3. I do think they will struggle somewhat when you factor in our 3 point defense plus the football stadium. We have to hit our shots though.
