The NCAA was notified of an odd discrepancy in the distance of the three-point lines on each side of the court at Moda Center before the Elite Eight matchup between the Texas Longhorns and NC State Wolfpack women’s basketball teams. The issue was brought to light by The Athletic over the weekend and was confirmed by officials before the game. Despite the difference in three-point distances, both head coaches agreed to play on the court as is, rather than delay the game. The NCAA released a statement at halftime acknowledging the issue and promising to correct it before Monday night’s Elite Eight game between UConn and USC.
The NCAA did not provide an explanation for how the discrepancy in three-point line distances came to be in the first place. However, the problem did not affect the outcome of the game between No. 3 NC State and No. 1 Texas, as the Wolfpack emerged victorious with a score of 76-66 to advance to the Final Four. NC State head coach Wes Moore and Texas head coach Vic Schaefer both agreed to play on the court with the existing three-point lines, ensuring that the game proceeded without delay despite the issue.
Throughout the game, the ESPN broadcast was the first to report on the discrepancy in three-point line distances at Moda Center. The court had been used for games throughout the weekend, with the issue first noticed during UConn’s win over Duke on Saturday night. The NCAA’s statement at halftime confirmed that the court would be fixed before the next Elite Eight game between UConn and USC on Monday night, ensuring that the playing conditions would be consistent for all teams participating in the tournament in Portland.
Following NC State’s win over Texas, they are set to face the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four. The Wolfpack’s victory over the Longhorns marked a significant achievement for the team as they continue their journey through the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the court and the three-point line distances, NC State was able to focus on the game and secure a spot in the Final Four with a strong performance against Texas.
Fox News Digital’s sports coverage provided updates on the situation at Moda Center and the Elite Eight matchup between NC State and Texas. The unusual discrepancy in three-point line distances added a unique element to the game, but did not impact the gameplay or outcome in a significant way. Both teams were able to adapt to the conditions and compete at a high level, with NC State ultimately emerging as the victors. The NCAA’s decision to address the issue and correct the court before the next game ensured fair playing conditions for all teams involved in the tournament.
