With mere seconds remaining in the Duke vs Michigan State game yesterday the ball was fought for and went out of bounds right in the corner and rightfully awarded to Duke.
However, the inbounds occurred closer to the basket than directly in the corner--why is that? Izzo seemed to question the ref. Bringing it in right where it went out would have been easier to defend and tougher to get the pass in bounded--why the move along the baseline?
For that matter, why does the ball get moved to the right or left of the backboard for inbounds and not in the middle if that is where the ball went out? What is the rationale for not spotting the ball where it actually goes OB?
Referee here. Your second question is because they don't want players inbounding directly behind the backboard because the pass would be very difficult if defended. Hitting the back of the backboard is a violation.
I didn't hear any explanation of the corner ruling.