"Some of the bigger players, whether it is a forward or a center, guys that used to step out and shoot that 19-foot, 9-inch shot and they're borderline consistent shooters, that one foot will probably make a bigger difference," Enfield said.
Enfield recalled when he was an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks and the NBA experimented with the idea of making the three-point arc 22 feet around rather than 23 feet, 9 inches at the top and side of the key and 22 feet in the corners.
"It invited more power forwards and centers to think, 'Hey, this is a short shot; maybe I'll just jack one up,' " Enfield said. "More guys were trying it; they weren't necessarily good shooters. Shooting that shot myself, there's not a huge difference right now. When you get beyond 22 feet, that's the dividing line where the inconsistent shooters really struggle."
Hunter is not so sure that an extra foot will make a difference to anyone on the court, even a 6-10 forward.
"When you come down to it, it's less than what these guys wear in a shoe size," Hunter said. "The kids are so big and strong now, it's just a shoe size away."
Loyola's Sullivan, who says he was more of a slasher in high school, acknowledges that he doesn't even look at where the three-point line is before setting his feet, squaring his shoulders and letting it fly. Sometimes he gets into such a zone that he starts thinking about it 30 feet from the basket.
"When it comes to shooting the ball, it's just a feel," said Sullivan, who hit six threes in two straight games to end last season.
Still, IUPUI's Hunter said he thinks the rule is actually going to help the mid-majors who have made such an impact because they traditionally have better shooters than the teams from the bigger conferences.
Of teams that finished in the top 10 last season in three-point shooting, only three came from major conferences - New Mexico (42.0 percent), coached by former Indiana shooter Steve Alford, was second; Notre Dame (40.5 percent) was seventh; and Vanderbilt (39.9 percent) was 10th.
"What helps us is that we like the spacing of it because we shoot the ball further out," Hunter said. "I have to admit, I'm spoiled. The kids in Indiana can really shoot it."
Hunter said his team often practices its three-point shooting from NBA distance. Although he wouldn't mind seeing the college game expand two feet more, he understands that it would have major ramifications.
"That would change the complexion of college basketball altogether, in my opinion," Hunter said. "I think it would hurt the high majors because those are the schools that get the bigger, stronger guys. That NBA line would help us more because we can still shoot that shot, while Indiana, Kentucky and Louisville can't make that shot on a consistent basis."
And how about a player such as Loyola's Sullivan?
He doesn't think it would matter.
Why not?
"I can pretty much shoot it from anywhere," he said.
