Some fans may do a double-take when they see the PMAC court Saturday for the first men’s basketball game of the season.An additional 3-point line was painted on the court this summer in compliance with a rule change extending the men’s 3-point line by one foot. The new white line extends the men’s 3-point line from 19 feet, nine inches to 20 feet, nine inches. In comparison, the NBA line is 23 feet, nine inches at the top of the key and 22 feet in the corners.The NCAA men’s basketball rules committee voted for the new length in 2007 while the women’s committee chose to keep the line at its present distance. The change marks the line’s first adaptation since its inception in 1986. Critics previously complained the line did not challenge collegiate shooters. The data supports the criticism, given that season’s 3-point averages were the best in nearly 15 years. Also, the number of attempted 3-pointers has risen from 9.2 in 1986 to 19.1 last season. The impact from the change is yet to be seen, and opinions differ from many coaches polled around the nation.It’s not likely to cause panic on LSU’s team, especially since the Tigers ranked last in the Southeastern Conference in 3-point shooting percentages during the 2007-2008 season.But now-senior guard Marcus Thornton’s percentage did rank No. 7 among conference shooters.Some analysts say the positive effects could include less congestion in the lanes and a resurgence of mid-range shooting skills.”There will be better spacing,” said LSU coach Trent Johnson. “Since the line has been moved back, kids are going to start shooting more NBA [3-pointers]. It depends on what you do offensively and what your system is.”Junior guard Alex Farrer said he thinks teams will face a greater challenge when trying to make late-game comebacks.”I think it will make a huge difference because a lot of centers and power forwards have been shooting threes,” Farrer said. “So I think it will be more guard-oriented. It won’t be everyone shooting threes.”Junior forward Tasmin Mitchell also thinks the new line could increase the effectiveness of zone defenses.But some say the change will cause confusion because of the two different lines for men and women. Others think the new line could slow down the pace of the game, either from men looking down to check the line or from referees frequently reviewing close calls.Farrer said he could see the potential for confusion given the PMAC’s purple and white three-point lines, although he doesn’t think the new line will slow the pace.”You look down and see one line, and you’re kind of conscious to put your feet on that line,” he said. “But if it’s the wrong one, then obviously it’s going to be a problem.”Johnson said he hasn’t made line awareness a priority in his practices.”You see too many kids in this day and age worried about where the line is rather than making the proper passes to the post or cutting or setting the proper screens,” he said.Senior guard Garrett Temple said he thinks the line will have more of a mental than physical effect on the game.”Guys that shoot them probably won’t admit it, but psychologically, it’s going to lower the percentages just like they went down when they incorporated the 3-point shot,” he said.Farrer said he doesn’t think the change will deter Thornton, who is known for his long-distance 3-pointers.”I know it won’t stop him,” he said.—-Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]