Time has run out: Shot clock is needed

On Tuesday, USA Basketball and the NBA released a joint document outlining rules and standards for youth competition in which the organizations recommended a 24-second shot clock for the high school level.

CHSAANow’s Ryan Casey followed up the document with an in-depth look at why Colorado doesn’t have a shot clock, with the primary reason being that shot clocks are prohibited by the NFHS.

And while that is certainly a legitimate reason to keep things status quo — if Colorado instituted a shot clock, CHSAA would forfeit its ability to serve on the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee — the bottom line is that high school basketball needs a shot clock, and it needs one now more than ever.

According to a 2017 NFHS survey of more than 6,000 coaches nationwide, 57 percent favor the shot clock, while 62 percent of state associations (with 29 responding) are against the shot clock.

Initial cost, installation, operating costs and the effect it would have on the game are often cited cons.

Understandably, much of the local opposition centers around that financial piece. But those who oppose it because they believe it would be bad for the game simply don’t have a grip on how the lack of a shot clock fundamentally changes the flow — and purity — of high school hoops.

Watch prep games around the area, and if a team has a lead in the second half, they will sit on that lead more often than not. The same thing happens at the end of tight games.

Teams go into their clockcontrol offenses — something the top-tier boys and girls programs are very good at — and what had been high-flying, up-tempo hoops becomes a contest of keep-away.

That being said, the recommendation for a 24-second shot clock is a little off. Let’s start with a 30-second shot clock, the same one the NCAA uses, and see how that lifts the game.

That way, teams can’t just play pass-around to kill the clock. They have to actually play basketball, and understand the preciousness — and limits — of each possession. And winning teams will have to place a higher premium on defense knowing the opposition is going to get a guaranteed number of possessions to come back.

Nine states already use, or have plans to use, a shot clock. Colorado needs to cut through the red tape and cost fears to become the 10th.