Yankees need to take full advantage of torpedo bats while they can

Jeff Van Gundy recently shared a fascinating story from his time on Rick Pitino’s coaching staff at Providence in the 1986-87 season. Pitino, known for his innovative coaching methods, was fixated on the newly adopted 3-point shot rule in college basketball. While the 3-point shot had been around in the ABA and NBA since the late 1970s, it was still a relatively new concept in college hoops.

During that season, Providence seemed to have unlocked the potential of the 3-point shot before anyone else. In their first game against American University, the Friars made a statement by scoring the season’s first points from beyond the arc. What followed was a flurry of steals, fast breaks, and long-range shots that left their opponents reeling. It was as if Providence had discovered a secret weapon that no one else knew about.

As the season progressed, Pitino and his coaching staff became increasingly convinced that they were ahead of the curve when it came to utilizing the 3-point shot. While the rule was meant to add excitement and strategy to the game, few teams had fully embraced its potential at that time. Providence, however, was different.

In a game where traditional fast breaks led to layups or mid-range jumpers, Providence’s players were instructed to spot up behind the 3-point line, ready to launch shots from deep. Players like Billy Donovan and Pop Lewis became specialists in shooting from long range, turning what was once a risky proposition into a deadly weapon for the Friars.

Looking back on that season, Van Gundy marveled at how Providence had managed to stay one step ahead of the competition. While most teams were still adjusting to the new rule, the Friars had already mastered the art of shooting from downtown. It was a testament to Pitino’s forward-thinking approach to coaching and his willingness to embrace innovation in the game of basketball.

As the years went by, the 3-point shot would become a staple of modern basketball, revolutionizing the way the game was played at all levels. But for those who were lucky enough to witness Providence’s early experimentation with the long-range shot, it was clear that they had witnessed something special – a team ahead of its time, pushing the boundaries of what was possible on the basketball court.