NCAA releases statement on three-point line discrepancy in Texas vs NC State Elite 8 matchup
Less than half an hour before the tip-off between NC State and Texas in the Elite Eight, the teams became aware of a significant issue. The 3-point lines on each side of the court were slightly different distances from the basket.
Despite the unusual discrepancy, NC State head coach Wes Moore and Texas head coach Vic Schaefer agreed to play to avoid delaying the game. At halftime of the showdown, the NCAA released a statement on the 3-point line discrepancies.
“The NCAA was notified today that the three-point lines on the court at Moda Center in Portland are not the same distance,” they wrote. “The two head coaches were made aware of the discrepancy and elected to play a complete game on the court as is, rather than correcting the court and delaying the game. The court will be corrected before tomorrow’s game in Portland.”
UConn and USC are set to play at the Moda Center at 9 p.m. ET on Monday evening. The NCAA will have over 24 hours to correct the concerning discrepancy. Ahead of NC State-Texas game, ESPN’s Courtney Lyle provided further details on the situation.
More on the 3-point line discrepancy
“The NCAA was made aware that the top of the key to the 3-point line, the space on either side of the floor looked to be different,” Lyle said. “The NCAA notified both coaches and at approximately noon local time, 3 p.m. ET, both Wes Moore and Vic Schaefer came out to the floor to take a look at it.
“They asked for the NCAA to measure and they did that. They simply measured from the baseline to the top of the 3-point line and found there was a discrepancy on one end of the floor from the other. Both Vic Schaefer and Wes Moore have agreed to go ahead and play this game to avoid any delays.”
Ahead of the 2021-22 season, the NCAA moved the women’s basketball 3-point line to 22 feet, 1¾ inches from the basket. With the teams switching directions at the half, each team will have an opportunity to shoot on the side with the correct measurements.
After the first quarter concluded, NC State head coach Wes Moore was asked about the unusual situation. He remained tight-lipped about the NCAA’s mistake.
“They were measuring some things,” Moore said. “That’s all I want to say at this time. Let’s talk about the game.”
The mistake should not affect the Longhorns’ offense too much. Texas only makes four 3-pointers per game, ranking in the bottom 20% of the country. Meanwhile, NC State connects on 6.1 shots from deep per contest.