The Possession Arrow: Friend or Foe?

Imagine playing a basketball game and having an arrow deciding if you win or lose the game. 

In the NCAA, when two different players have possession of the basketball at the same time, the officials call a held ball and the team with the possession arrow is awarded the basketball. This could decide the outcome of a game. 

In my opinion, I think that the NCAA should not use the possession arrow.  Instead the officials should rule a jump ball and have the two players carry out a jump ball, as they do at the beginning of each game.

Defense is a key aspect in the game of basketball, especially when your down by two points with ten seconds left in the game.  In this case, the defense wants to make a stop, so they can get the ball back without the offensive team scoring. 

If the defensive team makes a stop by getting a held ball, there is a good chance that the ball will go right back to the offensive team.  In my opinion, this is an unfair way to reward the defense for play hard. 

A good example of the defensive team making a big stop and not being rewarded was in the game between the Kentucky and Mississippi State. 

With 2.5 seconds left in the game and Kentucky down by 1, the Bulldogs create a held ball by knocking the ball loose from Kentucky’s guard, Gerald Fitch.  The possession arrow favors Kentucky.

The Wildcats end up inbounding the ball to Erik Daniels, who makes a last-second lay-up to win the ball game for Kentucky 67-66.  In my opinion, this is an unfair way to reward a team for creating a defensive stop.

Every fan of basketball does not like it when the clock has to decide the way a game ends, or if an official makes a bad call against the team who ends up losing by two points. 

In this case of a jump ball, I think that the players should decide the outcome of a game.  That is why they're playing right?  Let the two players who go for the ball and create the held ball have a jump ball situation and have the referee throw the ball up. 

In having the two players jump.  I think that the tossing of the ball in the air would make the game of college basketball more interesting.  In this case, it would give both teams equal chances at getting the ball, at the nearest free-throw line. 

Also, the jump ball situation could change the momentum of the game.  When the momentum changes in a basketball game, anything can happen, and for fans it makes the game more intense. As a fan of basketball, when a game is intense you pay more attention and find the game more interesting. 

Now I can realize why some people don't like the idea of a physical jump ball. Sure, it will give the bigger guy an advantage.  In addition, the referee could make a bad toss.  Even though an official might make an unfair toss, this should not affect the rule.

In conclusion, I think that the NCAA should get rid of using the possession arrow, and put in the option of toss the ball up at the nearest free throw line. 

In using the jump ball situation, it does not take away that big defensive stop. Also they should let the players decide the outcome of a game and make the game more interesting for fans, players, and coaches. 

It is like the great ESPN commentator, Dick Vitale says, “A jump ball baby!! Why not let the officials throw it up?!"