Inside the box score: FSU 73, Rice 65

Whenever the NCAA announces a “freedom of movement” initiative in basketball, hold on to your butts. Their “fixes” never actually result in a more free flowing game, but rather just demonstrations that all movement will be penalized. In game two we were treated to over 2 1⁄2 hours of what might be called basketball (followed by an Auburn/Houston tilt which lasted another 2 1⁄2 hours), with 52 fouls, 65 free throws, and about two hours of players standing around with hands in the air and exasperated looks on their faces. The new points of emphasis include defenders in the post being unable to dislodge offensive players, “setting the tone” by calling out illegal contact out front, and a bizarre, rambling new ruling about replay when officials can check to see if a shooter’s foot was inbounds but only at the buzzer and if the ball doesn’t go through the net until there are zeroes on the game clock. Got it?

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