MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

Being opinionated is a writer’s and scout’s job. Sometimes it is up to us to say the things others are thinking.

I have loved Michigan high school basketball ever since I was 9 years old and my dad took me to my first state finals in 1999. Watching Jason Richardson and LaVell Blanchard sticks with a kid.

However, as I’ve reached my mid 30s, and have travelled the entire state to watch basketball, I’ve noticed some pretty obvious flaws in our great game.

Here are 3 changes I believe the MHSAA should consider for the future.

1. The postseason tournament needs to be shrunk and fully seeded – There are way too many blowouts at the Breslin Center every year. A change in the system needs to be made to avoid poor basketball being played on our biggest stage. The tournament and regular season lack excitement with every team automatically in districts. A 96-team, fully seeded, postseason tournament for each division would give the regular season more intrigue and meaning. Why would a school who went 0-22 or even 9-13 deserve playoff games? Secondly, the argument about travel is way outdated. Teams cross the state all season to play in showcases, so why in the postseason do they have to play schools within a pre-determined radius? Too much change is a bad thing (just ask college basketball) but infusing some excitement into the season benefits fans and players. Adopting a more football-like approach to the postseason would make every regular season game meaningful and would hopefully make Breslin weekend a little more competitive.
2. Allow student-athletes one free transfer – I want to preface this by saying this can not be a gateway into the college game’s mess. High school basketball should never have an unlimited transfer portal or NIL money. But allowing kids one free transfer benefits them in ways they sometimes can’t control. For instance, some student-athletes live in a certain school district and don’t fit that coach’s system. Instead of sitting the bench, let that kid transfer to a better situation without forcing his parents to relocate. Another reason would be a junior who just enjoyed a long playoff run, but everyone else on the team graduated. Instead of forcing that kid to stay and be double or triple teamed all throughout his senior season, let him (if he still has his free transfer) find a better situation to end his career. This could also, potentially, somewhat help the growing number of top players choosing to finish their careers in other states.
3. I don’t know why this still needs to be said, but put in a dang shot clock. Having no shot clock hurts good defense. Countless times a night I see a team hold another team shot-less for over a minute. The crowd goes wild, the players slap the floor and coaches yell their support. Then a minute later, someone gets tired and the offense makes a layup. How is that basketball? In no way should a defense have to stay in a competitive stance and focus for two-plus minutes. Yet, it happens all the time, especially when the games mean more. All the showcases that implement a 35-second shot clock run so much smoother and actually look like real basketball. Coaches are smart. If their team isn’t as fast or athletic and you allow them unlimited time on the ball, they are going to run the insufferable weave for five minutes to try and tire out the defense. I ask anyone against a shot clock to try and hold a defensive stance that long and remain engaged. Just put in a shot clock. It’s not that hard.