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Hands off: MVC coaches continue to teach how the NCAA wants defense played

Indiana State basketball coach Greg Lansing doesn’t enjoy blowing a whistle during scrimmages. It’s become necessary in recent seasons.

“Our two (graduate assistants) wear a whistle and I wear a whistle in practice now and we try to lock in on some of the ways you’re going to have to play,” Lansing said. “You have to teach it that way.”

Missouri Valley Conference coaches are preparing for another season in which officials are directed to continue limiting physical defensive play. The “freedom of movement” directive is designed to keep defenders from using their hands to hold and push offensive players, with and without the ball, to inject more scoring and pace into the game.