Watching the tournament one has to wonder where has the jump shot gone. I mean these guys are absolutely throwing up bricks. If it isn't a dunk it is a score in the paint. Have defenses gotten so good that the intermediate jump shot is a thing of the past?

Because of the popularity of the dunk (see the posts on this site claiming how exciting FGCU was because they dunk), nobody can shoot a mid range jump shot anymore. Its either a dunk, layup, or three pointer.

I think it's also a matter of playing the percentages. Lay ups/dunks are easily the highest percentage shot and you have a strong chance of getting fouled which leads to free throws and putting the opponent in foul trouble. The advantage of the three, an extra point, is obvious. A jump shooting team who can't get the ball to the rim is almost universally criticized by analysts.

Going to the lane and getting fouled is good, as long as you can hit free throws. ETSU only shot 65% free throws this year. But also, getting that layup or getting fouled only happens about half the time. The other half you either get a shot blocked, put up a wild out of control shot, or get called for a charge.

There are so many times that the highest percentage shot should be to pull up and shoot a mid range shot. Both Tim Smith and the PG for FGCU has that one handed floater shot from the middle of the paint. Great option if your good at it, as you do not get called for a foul and nobody ever blocks it since they arent expecting you to shoot before the basket. If more players had a mid range shot option, they would be much more dangerous. Instead, teams will use practice times on their dunks. FGCU's coach even said that they practice their alley oops during warm ups.