Rebels to take aim at new 3-point line

Before, during and after practice, several 3-point shots fly from Tre'Von Willis' fingertips. The UNLV sophomore guard figures he shoots at least 100 of them per day.

Willis is toeing the line from a longer distance now, and he's in favor of the change.

The NCAA men's basketball rules committee recommended in May 2007 that the 3-point line be moved back one foot to 20 feet 9 inches, and the new line will be introduced this season.

"I tend to shoot deep 3s anyway, so I don't think it will affect me," Willis said. "But I know it will affect some other players."

Few teams employ their 3-point shooters as effectively as the Rebels, who have a long relationship with the line.

Since the 3-point field goal was adopted by the NCAA for the 1986-87 season, UNLV holds the national record for most consecutive games (703) with a made 3-pointer.

In the 2006-07 season, the Rebels set a school record for 3-point field goals attempted (802), and they threatened that mark last season by launching 796.

UNLV averaged 22.7 3-point attempts per game last season, and coach Lon Kruger said he will continue to set his shooters free to take 3s at a rapid-fire rate.

Even with three big men -- 7-foot Beas Hamga, 6-10 Brice Massamba and 6-8 Darris Santee -- added to the roster, the Rebels' style of play should be similar.

"If fans were just watching the game and didn't realize the line was moved back, I doubt if they would even know," Kruger said. "It doesn't change what we're doing at all.

"The fact that we've got big targets inside to throw it to now doesn't mean that we're going to stop shooting the 3-pointer."

Kruger said he doubts the new distance will make a big difference in the game, but he expects it will restrict mediocre shooters and cause subtle changes.

"What it may do is that marginal big guy who steps out and shoots a 3 once in a while, maybe that would eliminate or reduce the number of attempts out of those type of players," said Kruger, who predicts insignificant changes in 3-point shooting percentages.

Senior guard Wink Adams falls into the category of an expert marksman. Adams has shot 169-for-480 (35.2 percent) from 3-point range in his UNLV career. For him, the new line is a minor adjustment.

"I practiced with it the whole summer. I feel comfortable with it," Adams said.

"The old line was kind of too close. You get a couple centers who could step out and hit shots. I've seen Beas shoot 10 and hit six of them, and that kind of shocked me, so I'm kind of glad they moved it back."

Louisville coach Rick Pitino was an outspoken advocate of moving back the line, saying the 3-point shot was too easy.

Part of the intent of the rule change is to open up the floor, but UCLA coach Ben Howland has said he is skeptical that will happen, and he expects to see more zone defenses and games that are not as entertaining.

The Rebels have several potential zone-busters, including Adams, Willis and senior forward Joe Darger, who made a career-high 67 3-pointers last season.

The rules committee considered extending the line to 20 feet 6 inches, the same distance as international 3-pointers. The NBA line is 23 feet 9 inches at the top of the key and 22 feet in the corners.

High school and college women's teams will continue to shoot the 3 from the distance of 19 feet 9 inches.

"I do think it was too close," Willis said. "This is a higher level than high school and girls basketball, so I feel we do need to go a step above them."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.