Rule Change Could Affect West Virginia Basketball

The NCAA has made more rule changes for the upcoming 2017-2018 men’s basketball season and one rule in particular appears to be lobbed in the direction of the West Virginia men’s basketball team. According to Allan Taylor of WV MetroNews, the NCAA has adjusted a rule that prohibits the defense from straddling a players leg that prevents him from pivoting.

Adjust the officiating guidance in relation to the cylinder rule. If a defensive player straddles an offensive player’s leg in a way that prohibits him from making a normal basketball move — which now includes pivoting — contact that creates a common foul will be called on the defensive player.”

This rule change has the ability to affect the team known as #PressVirginia. Trapping is what this team does, creating turnovers at all ends of the floor. If the defense is unable to effectively create traps and pressure the offense into unforced errors, the press loses its effectiveness.

The Mountaineers, who have led the nation in steals per game for the past three seasons, rely on their press to help them win games. Jevon Carter has been near the top of the nation in steals per game and won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.