Duke vs. FSU Women’s Game: Basketball Size Dispute

Carla Lawson, coach of the Duke women’s basketball team, believes that the first half of their game against Florida State University was mistakenly played with a larger basketball intended for the men’s game. However, the ACC released a statement on Friday morning denying the claim. In Thursday night’s press conference after his team’s 53-44 victory over Pittsburgh at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Lawson said last Sunday that he had a 20-year career at Florida State University. A Duke player complained about the ball to their coach in the first half after the Duke staff brought it to the attention of game officials. The coach described the mishandling of the ball during the first half. He warned the authorities to come and look at it.”

The ACC conducted a comprehensive investigation after receiving allegations about the use of a foul ball. Amy Yacora, ACC Deputy Commissioner, announced in a Friday morning statement that the league’s investigation could not establish the use of a foul ball. After a thorough review. And the objective review process found no evidence to support the claims.

For girls 12 and older, including NCAA and professional games, the basketballs used are smaller than those used in men’s games. Women’s basketballs are 28.5 inches in diameter and weigh 20 ounces. Men play basketball with a circumference of 29.5 inches and a weight of 22 ounces. Lawson said he didn’t entirely blame the conditions for his team’s loss, they lost with the women’s ball, but I can’t say they would have won if they had used the women’s ball in the first half and the second half, but they can’t say that.