The Sideline Fix

After her team’s loss to FSU, Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson was irritated in the post gamer press conference.

“This would never happen in a men’s game. This would never happen,” she said. “It’s embarrassing for our sport.” Lawson as quoted by ESPN

What happened? A men’s ball had been used. Both teams were playing with a regulation size ball for men’s basketball, rather than the smaller women’s ball. That is a difference of 2 inches in circumference and 2 ounces in weight.  According to the report, players were complaining about the ball during the first half. It wasn’t until Duke Assistant Coach Winston Gandy approached the scorers’ table to inspect it that the ball was changed out.

It is important to note that Lawson is not claiming that this issue is the reason her team loss. Instead, she is using it to point out a lack of respect, though she doesn’t explicitly name who was disrespectful. While they have said there is no evidence to support the claim, the ACC has since issued a procedural change. They will require time for captains of teams to inspect the game ball before play during a pregame meeting.

I am wholly ignorant on all things basketball. (Scratch that. I recently got sucked in to basketball content, you can check my recent posts.) I ask how this is a problem. Or rather, how did this situation come about?

In a sport that requires so many differences between the men’s and women’s games, why is there not already a procedure in place to ensure the equipment is set at the proper standard? This would include avoiding men’s teams from trying to play with a women’s ball.

In truth though, there are even more subtle differences between mens’ and women’s basketball. According to a chart posted by Vanderbilt’s Athletic department, that even includes when you can plan music. Because everyone knows women are biologically wired to need more music to play well.

Regardless of whether women need a smaller ball or any of the other game alterations, that is how they have come to play the game. It is largely how they practice and play multiple games. The weight and size of the ball they are used to changes the trajectory of their shots and their force required to make a pass. These are the things they get accustomed to. In a situation like this one, when the wrong ball is used, it just throws everything off. Players have to readjust all of their actions to accommodate. The disrespect, I assume, comes by not acknowledging any of this. That is, not seeing the players as athletes who have honed their craft and deserve to be in the best playing environment possible to use the skills they have gained. All of based on the set of rules they were given.

Here is that chart if you’re interested: NCAA Division 1 Basketball Rules Comparison

And this is the other source I used to write this: Associated Press. (February 3, 2023). Duke’s Kara Lawson says men’s ball used in 1st half vs. FSU. https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/35580414/duke-kara-lawson-says-men-ball-used-1st-half-vs-fsu