abe

remaining half was restricted, and now comes the argument that an offensive
player is not entitled to his position on the floor, even by right of priority.

"Why should defensea be given rights not accorded to offenses? The
first fundamental of defensive play i8 to keep between &n opponent and his
basket. The defense shifts in choice territory and is supposed to be entitled
to changing to new positions. Often arms and knees are extended thus adding ©
to the size of the entitled position. However, if an offensive player assumes
a position back of a defensive player, some would howl "pick off" even if the
offensive man stands immobile. They maintain it is a crime, also, if an offen-
sive man shifts to a more advantageous position even if the space is unoccup-
pied. To assume the offensive seems to imply obligations, beyond ball handling,
which do not allow offensive men prior right of position in ae territory now
very limited. ee

"What's the difference between standing blocks and running blocks by _
either the defense or offense, except that most bodily contacts created by the
defense are the result of running blocks? The defense may use arms, chest,
hips and knees to enhance the contact and take in more territory. Even at
that most basketball men are not horrified by the situation, and yet a demand
for equal opportunities for offense seems ample cause fur a secession of part
of the union.

"The offensive player shoulc be entitled to any position in the non-
restricted territory providing he gets there first without creating contact.
The defensive men Should have the same rights. When there is contact because
of movement the defense, at certain times, may be charged with ulterior motives
while at other times the offense may be seeking illegaliy to further its ad-
vantage. If there are running blocks by the offense then there are twice as
many by the defense, Contact through movement may be mede illegally by both
offenses and defenses and are subject to the judgment of the officials. An
immobile player, either on cefense or offense, should be entitled to his posi-
tion. His intent is of no moment to the official. Any campaign to take from
the rules the principle that a player is entitled by priority to his position
on the floor will lead to further complicated definitions. Let us aim toward
simplicity rather than complexity. THE OFFENSE SHOULD HAVE NO FURTHER RESTRIC-
TIONS.

NEWS NOTES

So many teame. have played intersectional games during December that
a full resume is impossible. Never before has any season shown so many such
contests. The pleasure and profit of such contacts heve been so obvious that
the trend towards the scheduling of intersectional games must of necessity play
an important part in nationalizing the sport. :

Some of the better known of these teams and their trips are:

. Michigan traveled to the Pacific Northwest; Stanford met teams in the
mid-west and invaded New York with a victory in Madison Square Garden which
broke Long Island's long winning streak; Southern California made a fine record
on its tour of Texas; Utah played in Denver and continued into Iowa; Ohio State
went west to meet Creighton in Omaha and Nebraska in Lincoln; Denver U. played
four games in Iowa; Missouri won two games in Denver; Kansas State took an ex-
tended tour through Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota; Nebraska also
went east with games in Chicago, Cleveland, Pennsylvania, Washington, and
Philadelphia; Arizona traveled in California; Indiana defeated Manhattan in
New York; Notre Dame and Pittsburgh have toured through Illinois as a start for