The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are locking horns in a game that, on paper, should’ve been electric. After all, we’ve got Stephen Curry on one end and rising talents like Jabari Smith Jr. on the other. But sometimes, what unfolds on the hardwood doesn’t match the hype — especially when both teams are shooting like the rim’s got a lid on it.
By the time the second quarter rolled around, the Warriors were dragging their feet at a bleak 30% from the field. The Rockets weren’t much better. And just as Jabari Smith finally bottomed his second three, NBC’s broadcast booth couldn’t hold back their disbelief — or their sarcasm.
That’s when the subtle jabs started flying. But not at the players on the floor. No, the unexpected target? The NCAA Tournament. “All teams at 34% shooting,” one of the broadcasters noted, barely holding back a chuckle. “I feel like I’m watching an NCAA Tournament game.”
The jab didn’t stop there. As the cameras followed a sloppy possession — “Behind the pass to Adams, lost the handle there” — another voice chimed in, roasting March Madness for its well-known shooting droughts. “March Madness heavy delays has been catching strays all month. Nobody can shoot.”
So, if you’re wondering how college hoops stack up against the NBA when it comes to shooting from deep — the numbers are pretty telling. In the NBA this season (2024-25), teams are absolutely living beyond the arc. League-wide, they’re knocking down threes at around 40.7%, and squads like the Celtics are taking over half their shots from deep. Wild, right?
Now, over in the NCAA, the long ball is definitely getting more love too. More teams are letting it fly, and a solid chunk — 68 teams, to be exact — are hitting at 36% or better from three as of February. That’s actually a bump from 61 teams the year before.
Bottom line? While college players are stepping up their range, the NBA’s still got the edge when it comes to efficiency. Chalk it up to better spacing, stronger shooters, and, well… a whole lot more practice.
This is a developing story…
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