Originally Posted by
Bluedog
I've heard rumors in the past that they were thinking of changing the sides of the band/grad student section, so the opposing team has to at least shoot free throws with the grad students behind the basket in the SECOND half as opposed to the first. Since the people beside the band generally do nothing. (Although this was a few years ago, and nothing has happened, so probably nothing is going to happen). An easier solution would be just to change the bench locations since that wouldn't involve reconstruction of the bleachers (since grad student section is now bleachers, while part beside band is individual blue cushy seats). But I know that Coach K is opposed to changing the bench locations, so obviously they wouldn't do that. I know for a fact that Mickie Krzyzewski is in favor of making the band/grad student switch (she said as much a few years back; again, not because the band is bad, just because they are in a relatively small section behind the basket)...Not sure how much power she has, or if it really makes that much of a difference. But it would seem that you'd want your opponents' free throws tougher in the second half rather than first.
I recall reading a scientific article about free throw distractions - and Mark Cuban took the scientists advice and tried the antics for a few games. Essentially, the argument was that if everybody just flails their arms randomly it makes no difference as it's just random noise that the shooter can block out. What makes it harder is coordinated movements so it looks like the backboard is moving slightly since behind it is moving in coordination in a certain direction...At least, that was the gist, I believe.