So this is not to defend Davison, because he needs too cool it, even if it works.
But I find it odd that we count all offensive fouls as "charges." I feel like there's three real categories.
True "charge" - Offensive player is coming in, defender beats him to the spot, he's mostly out of control. Clearly this is abused by guys sliding in, and Brad did that at least once
The shoulder drop - This is when an offensive player drops a shoulder to clear space. It's probably more legit than the first, but ends with some "fired out of a cannon" moments
The forearm push off - Offensive player uses the forearm to clear space. These are the easiest to call. There's sometimes some exaggeration, but I always felt like this was less a "charge" because it's mostly on the offensive player. In any case, that might just be my distinction.
Anyway, not a pretty UW win, but maybe NC State will be good.
Yeah, I don't blame him, refs have created this. Granted I think Duke started it and it's been popularized over the past 15 or so years of playing to draw charges. I think the rules need to adjust too. Defenses have changed so that guys are coached to take charges, and it's those that I think make the game worse. It dissuades moves to the baskets, which IMO are the more exciting plays in the game.
I frequently point to back to back possessions in an MSU-UM game maybe 6 or so years ago. Costello on the defensive end made a perfect block. He went straight up, bodies collided, but the defender has the right to his spot straight up, and the offensive player jumped right into him. Got called for a blocking foul. Literally the next possession, he slid over and let Trey Burke run into him, without even really trying to get in a defensive position (which is another issue I have). He just stood there like a guy defending a soccer free kick. Got the charge call. Why would a guy attempt to play defense, when he's penalized for it, and rewarded for just standing there?
I think the two things that would vastly improve college basketball would be to move the 3 point line back, and reevaluate the charging rule. That would space the court more, and reward slashers, while making the risk/reward of taking a 3 less disproportionate to what it is now, while also cutting down on FTs. The "freedom of movement" stuff has just resulted in even less pacing, because guys aren't adjusting, there are just an obscene number of FTs. So put guys in more space, and reward guys for trying to play defense, rather than trying to draw fouls. I think you improve the game immensely. I think you'd also see "better" threes. The shot is too easy now. Too many good defensive possessions just end with a guy making a contested 3, because these guys are too good at it. A well executed play, resulting in an open 3 look is good for the game, jacked up contested 3s going in, largely I don't think is.
