College basketball rule changes up for debate: Six fouls, quasi-quarters, reducing timeouts and more
The scoop on the 13 potential rule changes up for discussion, and why traditional quarters aren't happening any time soon
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The scoop on the 13 potential rule changes up for discussion, and why traditional quarters aren't happening any time soon
By Matt Norlander
The NCAA men's basketball rules committee is convening over the next three days in Indianapolis to review 13 possible rule changes. A few are expected to be formally recommended by week's end, and if they officially pass in June, said rules would be on the books for next season.
I've detailed below what rules are up for debate.
This week's agenda was effectively set earlier this year, when the NCAA sent out a rules survey to coaches, administrators, officials, commissioners and select media. The results of that survey will help guide deliberations over the next three days.
The rules committee has an opportunity to improve the sport's cosmetic appeal and streamline its end-of-game scenarios, which sometimes can become unacceptable slogfests that take five, 10, even 15 minutes longer than they should on account of a parade of timeouts and monitor reviews. There are a few potential revisions that are particularly interesting. The biggest game-changer up for consideration: a six-foul modification rule that is brazenly outside-the-box and, based on conversations I've had, polarizing.
The committee will do one of three things with these 13 items on its agenda: recommend a rule change, not recommend a rule change, or propose a two-year experimental period before taking next steps. How does that third one work? The NIT is the clinical trial, if you will. Two years worth of NIT play provides enough of a sample size for the rules committee to determine whether or not something should be adopted. (This is what happened in 2017, prior to the 3-point line getting officially extended in 2019.)
"The one thing I've learned about being on the rules committee, we've got to be very, very slow and cautious to make changes," Colorado coach Tad Boyle, the committee's chair, told CBS Sports. "I think the game is in pretty darn good shape. Any changes we make to the game, they have to be well thought out. We don't always know unintended consequences, and so many times when we're unsure, or let's say it's a 50/50 deal, we will use the NIT as a training ground."
While gameplay is in a better spot than 5-10 years ago, college basketball still has room to grow to be more appealing and contemporary. Based on conversations with people around the sport, here's my reading on where these possible rule changes stand heading into Wednesday. Keep in mind that things can change inside the meeting room.
Likely to be recommended
- Laptops, tablets allowed on the bench for coaching purposes only
- Tweak traveling interpretation to universally allow players to Euro step, use spin moves and step-backs
Unlikely to be recommended
- Widening the lane to 16 feet (currently 12 feet)
- Award possession to defense after a held-ball
- Eliminate 10-second backcourt rule
- Allow offensive team to decline free throws in final two minutes and overtime(s); opt for inbound instead
- Eliminate five-second closely guarded rule
- Allow instant replay on shot-clock violation in final two minutes/overtime on a missed shot
- Allow instant replay on basket interference/goaltending calls -- but only if/after an official calls the violation
Potential for two-year NIT trial period
- Two-timeout limit per team with under two minutes in regulation and throughout overtime(s)
- Eliminate offensive basket interference and use FIBA rule instead: ball is always live after it makes contact with the rim