More than any other major sport, basketball is in a constant state of revision. While techniques and methods of play in football and baseball go through change, the rules for both do not. Not so in basketball. The rules of basketball have changed dramatically during my lifetime — the size of the center lane, 3-point shot, and time limits now imposed on the offense in college and pro ball — all changes for the better, certainly for quick guards.

During this same time changes in strategies have emerged in football with different formations varying from the single wing to the T and shotgun formation taking shape. Football has become an open game featuring the quarterback.

Basketball also evolved, not only from rule changes, but from different methods of play. Perhaps the biggest innovation in play was the fast-break. Known by other names such as racehorse basketball or Indiana basketball. It was initiated, at least in this part of the country by Wade “Piggy” Lambert out of Deadwood S.D. in the 1920s.

The first really successful Minnesota practitioner was the small town of Lynd. Back in days prior to the 1960s, the Minnesota prep basketball tournament had only one class and was the original “March Madness.”

In 1946 Lynd came storming out of the southwest corner of the state using a playing style, that while not unknown, was not considered seriously — fastbreak basketball.

The school was in a town with a population of less than some cities’ high schools. Coach Bisel had his team fast breaking, not as opportunities presented themselves, but almost all the time when they got the ball on their defensive end of the court.

The team made it to the State Tournament. All games for the eight schools involved were held in Williams Arena — pretty much unchanged from then until now, except for some remodeling and a new floor. When it opened in 1928 its cost was $600,000. When the floor was replaced in 2009, the cost was $600,000. When they replaced the old floor, Minnesota kept it raised, the bane of Minnesota’s foes, especially Bobby Knight.

When Lynd arrived in 1946 the seating capacity was 14,100 and its nickname was “The Barn.” The Twin Cities sportswriters would pull the old chestnut out of fire by quoting one of the small town players saying: “Boy, it would sure hold a lot of hay.”

Lynd was not expected to do much in the tournament; a nice team, an interesting team with its style, but no threat. They surprised all by beating the Tourney favorite Crosby-Ironton advancing to the finals where it lost to Austin. (Probably worn out.)

An interesting note — at least to me — I played against Coach Bisel’s Butterfield Indians. He was never able to beat his neighboring town of Mt. Lake. I guess that proves that you not only need a system, but the players to implement it.

Perhaps Magic Johnson and the L.A. Lakers’ Showtime were the best of fast break basketball recently. Only now it is called transition basketball.

During this disappointing Gopher basketball season there are only two instances when the team shows to advantage. One is when Blake Hoffarber is shooting a 3-pointer and the other is transition basketball.

Ralph Sampson III seems to have the skills, but not the inclination to provide an inside game. Lawrence Westbrook has good games and he has bad games. However, when the Gophers get their transition game going, they look good. But their press is giving up more points than they’re gaining. They are not a good Big Ten team and coach Tubby Smith has some recruiting and work to do for next year.