Control room technicians must be on the ball when airing fast-tempo basketball

Viewing high quality college basketball on TV is a wonderful diversion. The excitement of The Games and the skill and artistry of the players afford a needed escape from ugly politics and all the other disappointing news of the day, and from the challenges of everyday life. It's too bad that those in charge of the TV cameras often ruin the experience.

Far too many times in fast-paced games the director chooses to focus on a head shot of a player who has just made a play instead of allowing viewers to follow all the action on the floor — the reason we tune in. The North Linn girls play an exciting up-tempo pressing game, and in one of their televised tournament games recently, another pointless head shot let the viewers miss an entire play sequence including a foul. The camera cut to the action just as a player was shooting the resulting free throw. In the Iowa women’s victories in the Big Ten championships, as in most televised games, there were any number of instances where action on the floor was missed in favor of a head shot. Fans of the game deserve better.

Art Johnson

Edgewood