NCAA Basketball Rule Changes up for discussion

[PorkerOinker]

I don't care a thing about artificially increasing scoring by forcing teams to shoot quicker.  I think the shot clock for college is fine where it is.

Unless teams learn to shoot better, its not going to increase scoring. Shooting quicker doesn't equal more points.

[Danny J]

One thing I would like to see changed is, if the game is stopped for a monitor review,  teams should not be able to treat it like a timeout. Currently players are all at their own bench and coaches are doing some coaching.

I agree with this. I also like the idea of getting rid on one and one. That is ridiculous that a defense can be rewarded for committing a violation simply because you miss the front end of a one and one. Make the fouls 8 and two shots or as mentioned above 1 shot and the ball option up to the 10th foul. I would also making it a 6 foul disqualify like the NBA(yes...I know they play 48 minutes).

[root_hawg]

No changes except shorter shot clock and the baseball rule on eligibility. 

[Breems]

How could anyone not want less timeouts?

With the new airbrush foul rules and the ungodly amount of timeouts available, there's a stoppage of play literally 8 out of every 10 trips down the court.

[root_hawg]

Gives me more time to make frig runs!   

[Fatty McGee]

Every good team in the NBA runs a better offense than any college team can imagine, and does it in 24 seconds.  If you think there's a college team that even comes close to the kind of offensive flow that, say, the Spurs have, then you need help.

[bigredone]

Every good team in the NBA runs a better offense than any college team can imagine, and does it in 24 seconds.  If you think there's a college team that even comes close to the kind of offensive flow that, say, the Spurs have, then you need help.

Different strokes for different folks. I don't want the college game to degenerate any more than it already has.

Shot clock is pretty much perfect at 35 seconds. Being able to shoot free throws should matter. 10 second count I have no preference either way. Alternating possession I have never cared for.

Things they should do in college:
1. Simplify the charge/block call. Take away as much judgement as possible in making the call.
2. Quit calling touch fouls away from the basket that interrupt the flow of the game. Call a foul only when someone gains a clear advantage from the contact.
3. Quit allowing offensive players to move out of the normal form to jump into defenders. If they have to move any way but vertical to initiate contact it should be an offensive foul.
4. Reduce time outs.
5. Stop the wrestling matches in the lane. Basketball is a contact sport but only simpletons/rednecks like watching "wrasslin". It must be a desire to see gay porn.
6. Change the timeout rule to dead ball only.

[Break & Run]

Everyone is complaining about the fouling at the end of the game until Arkansas is the team that's down 1 with 12 seconds left.  The other team has the ball and they're going to run the clock out.  You have NO WAY to win that game.  That's where the fouling comes in.  You foul them, they go 1/1 at the stripe; therefore, you have the rebound and 10 seconds to win the game.  Look at the game AT Mizzou this year, similar situation but Madden missed the layup that would've won the game.

[bigredone]

Everyone is complaining about the fouling at the end of the game until Arkansas is the team that's down 1 with 12 seconds left.  The other team has the ball and they're going to run the clock out.  You have NO WAY to win that game.  That's where the fouling comes in.  You foul them, they go 1/1 at the stripe; therefore, you have the rebound and 10 seconds to win the game.  Look at the game AT Mizzou this year, similar situation but Madden missed the layup that would've won the game.

I for one don't mind the fouling at the end of the game. If you can't hit free throws you shouldn't be on the floor at that point in the game. Honestly, if you can't be at least 65% at the line you probably shouldn't be playing basketball. It is the same exact shot every time you take it.

[PorkerOinker]

I personally would like to see a defensive 3 second call in college.

[Sow Lancelot]

Do away with the strategy of being able to foul as a method of playing catch up.  Give the team that is fouled within the last two minutes the option of shooting two free throws OR shooting one free throw and taking the ball out of bounds...provided they are in the bonus or it's a shooting foul, of course.

It's ridiculous that the team that is trailing is allowed to dictate how the team that is leading will run its offense.  In football you're not allowed to commit a defensive penalty to make the offense attempt a field goal and then kick the ball back to you.

Just curious, why the opportunity to shoot 1 plus get the ball? Would the ball automatically go to the team fouled, hit or miss, or would a miss be a live rebound?

[Danny J]

Just curious, why the opportunity to shoot 1 plus get the ball? Would the ball automatically go to the team fouled, hit or miss, or would a miss be a live rebound?

I would assume he means if they choose the one foul and ball then the player would stand alone at the line for his one shot like they currently do for a technical foul.

[PorkSoda]

The worst rule in basketball is the tie ball alternating possession. I think it should be a turnover. 

??  if both players have their hands on the ball, who would get the ball?

all it does is eliminate the jump ball which always gives the advantage to the taller player.

[PorkSoda]

3. Quit allowing offensive players to move out of the normal form to jump into defenders. If they have to move any way but vertical to initiate contact it should be an offensive foul.

I agree with this.  I don't like seeing an offensive player basically dive into a defender and throw up a wild shot just to draw a foul + free throws.

[nextlevel]

Every good team in the NBA runs a better offense than any college team can imagine, and does it in 24 seconds.  If you think there's a college team that even comes close to the kind of offensive flow that, say, the Spurs have, then you need help.

Every NBA team runs a highly modified version of the Princeton offense (compared to how it was ran at Princeton) or plays.

The emphasis on the NBA level is more about taking advantage of match ups or quick movement to a open shot compared to the college level where some teams still use the shot clock for ball movement to create open shots.

The NBA offensive strategies are not better or superior, the talent on the court is.

[nextlevel]

I agree with this.  I don't like seeing an offensive player basically dive into a defender and throw up a wild shot just to draw a foul + free throws.

The defender shouldn't leave his feet before the shot.

An offensive player is taking advantage of this mistake, but you should not reward the defender for bad decision making in this scenario either.

[bigredone]

The defender shouldn't leave his feet before the shot.

An offensive player is taking advantage of this mistake, but you should not reward the defender for bad decision making in this scenario either.

The defender has the right to the space directly above him though. I saw in the championship game also where the defender had landed and an offensive player bowed sideways to initiate contact with the defender on the ground and got free throws. It is a B.S. call even when Madden does the same thing.

I agree if the defender is moving in anything but a vertical plane. If he jumps toward the offensive player it should be free throws all day long.

This is not the NBA where everything should be geared to helping offense.

[EastexHawg]

I would assume he means if they choose the one foul and ball then the player would stand alone at the line for his one shot like they currently do for a technical foul.

Exactly.  In that case a foul would be a true penalty, not an opportunity to force the offense to shoot free throws when they don't want or to play catchup with a 2 for 3 swap.

I have no idea why people think the team that is trailing in basketball should have some innate or God-given right to commit fouls as a way of gaining an advantage.  Again...if you are trailing in football and have used all your timeouts, you have no way of stopping the clock.  Unless the offense commits a turnover, you lose.

You don't get to run across the line, wrap the QB in a bear hug before the ball is snapped, and force the offense to either throw a Hail Mary to try to score or kick a field goal, all with the intention of forcing them to give up possession and let you mount a comeback based on a strategy of rules violations.

Does it suck when you are trailing?  Yes, but maybe you should have been ahead and not behind with two minutes left on the clock.

[nextlevel]

Exactly.  In that case a foul would be a true penalty, not an opportunity to force the offense to shoot free throws when they don't want or to play catchup with a 2 for 3 swap.

I have no idea why people think the team that is trailing in basketball should have some innate or God-given right to commit fouls as a way of gaining an advantage.  Again...if you are trailing in football and have used all your timeouts, you have no way of stopping the clock.  Unless the offense commits a turnover, you lose.

You don't get to run across the line, wrap the QB in a bear hug before the ball is snapped, and force the offense to either throw a Hail Mary to try to score or kick a field goal, all with the intention of forcing them to give up possession and let you mount a comeback based on a strategy of rules violations.

Does it suck when you are trailing?  Yes, but maybe you should have been ahead and not behind with two minutes left on the clock.

It is not football.


You are not only wanting to diminish the strategy that can be used in a game, but also diminish the value of one of the most important aspects of the game, FTs.

If you don't like the end of the games, change the channel.

[nextlevel]

The defender has the right to the space directly above him though. I saw in the championship game also where the defender had landed and an offensive player bowed sideways to initiate contact with the defender on the ground and got free throws. It is a B.S. call even when Madden does the same thing.

I agree if the defender is moving in anything but a vertical plane. If he jumps toward the offensive player it should be free throws all day long.

This is not the NBA where everything should be geared to helping offense.

Actually the defender only has the right to the space he establishes on the court with his feet set, he gives up his position when his feet leaves the floor, the exception to this is when an offensive player bull rushes his way through a defender in which case it is a charge while the defender can be moving his feet.

If I defender was entitled to the space directly above him vertically, you would not see fouls call for body contact by the defender on the shooter, this can occur anywhere on the court, it usually occurs around the basket. It is the defender's responsibility to control his body and prevent contact.

[bigredone]

Actually the defender only has the right to the space he establishes on the court with his feet set, he gives up his position when his feet leaves the floor, the exception to this is when an offensive player bull rushes his way through a defender in which case it is a charge while the defender can be moving his feet.

If I defender was entitled to the space directly above him vertically, you would not see fouls call for body contact by the defender on the shooter, this can occur anywhere on the court, it usually occurs around the basket. It is the defender's responsibility to control his body and prevent contact.

They typically only call it if the defenders arm moves forward over the offensive player. I have seen a lot of blocks by a lot of different teams where there was body contact but no foul called. If the defender slaps down on the shot it will almost always be called regardless of contact.

If the defender has no right to jump vertically there would never be any shot blocks on layups and we both know there are.

Fouls should only be called when the contact gives a clear advantage to one player or another. Jumping into a defender to get free throws is gaining a clear advantage for the offensive player. Slapping a shooters arm gives a clear advantage to the defender.

[EastexHawg]

It is not football.

No shirt.  Are you always this perceptive?

By the way, which is the most popular game in America?  Football or basketball?  Given your answer to that question, which set of rulesmakers seems to have it right?`

You are not only wanting to diminish the strategy that can be used in a game, but also diminish the value of one of the most important aspects of the game, FTs.

Idiotic.  The team that is leading late in a football game tends to keep the ball on the ground to run clock.  Does their lack of desire to pass in that situation mean that "the value of one of the most important aspects of the game has been diminished"?

Since you don't like football analogies, let's try another one from basketball.  If you're up 12 with 1:30 left to play you don't typically play up-tempo.  You're more likely to play half court and run clock.  Does that mean the value of one of the most important aspects of the game, the fast break, has been diminished?

[nextlevel]

No shirt.  Are you always this perceptive?

By the way, which is the most popular game in America?  Football or basketball?  Given your answer to that question, which set of rulesmakers seems to have it right?`


Idiotic.  The team that is leading late in a football game tends to keep the ball on the ground to run clock.  Does their lack of desire to pass in that situation mean that "the value of one of the most important aspects of the game has been diminished"?

Since you don't like football analogies, let's try another one from basketball.  If you're up 12 with 1:30 left to play you don't typically play up-tempo.  You're more likely to play half court and run clock.  Does that mean the value of one of the most important aspects of the game, the fast break, has been diminished?

Since you like football analogies, you wanting to take away a late game strategy would be the same as putting in a rule that you can not pass the football on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd down if within 3 yards limiting the options of what a team can do and when they can do it.

Or how about baseball? Telling a team that they can not intentionally walk a batter or that a pitcher can not try to pick off a base runner when their team leads.

How about hockey? Teams can't pull a goalie leaving a open net at any time.

I would go with Chess, but you seem to be more of a checkers guy...

[bigredone]

Idiotic.  The team that is leading late in a football game tends to keep the ball on the ground to run clock.  Does their lack of desire to pass in that situation mean that "the value of one of the most important aspects of the game has been diminished"?

Since you don't like football analogies, let's try another one from basketball.  If you're up 12 with 1:30 left to play you don't typically play up-tempo.  You're more likely to play half court and run clock.  Does that mean the value of one of the most important aspects of the game, the fast break, has been diminished?

They still have to snap the football and it is not unheard of to have a fumble on the snap. It is a core element of football. If there is enough time left they also have to try to get enough first downs to run the clock and keep the ball away from the defense.

Shooting is a core element of basketball. Free throws are the easiest shot in the game. If a team cannot hit free throws they don't deserve to win the game. If a player is incapable of hitting the vast majority of his free throws he probably shouldn't be on the floor at that critical time. Honestly, those guys only hitting 50% shouldn't even get to call themselves basketball players.

[EastexHawg]

Since you like football analogies, you wanting to take away a late game strategy would be the same as putting in a rule that you can not pass the football on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd down if within 3 yards limiting the options of what a team can do and when they can do it.

Gee, you're right.  How incredibly stupid would it be to have rules in place letting the defense dictate to the opponent what plays they can call and how they can run their offense?

Sort of like the defense in basketball immediately grabbing or bear hugging the offense in order to force them to shoot free throws instead of running whatever they prefer to run...


Now...who's the checkers player here?

[bigredone]

Gee, you're right.  How incredibly stupid would it be to have rules in place letting the defense dictate to the opponent what plays they can call and how they can run their offense?

Sort of like the defense in basketball immediately grabbing or bear hugging the offense in order to force them to shoot free throws instead of running whatever they prefer to run...


Now...who's the checkers player here?

But the offense can put players on the floor that can shoot. If they don't it is either a weakness of the team or the coach thinks they can play keep-a-way. You can't call yourself a basketball player if you are incapable of hitting most of your free throws, it is the easiest shot in the game.

Grabbing and bear hugging are supposed to be two shots and the ball out of bounds. They are supposed to be making a play on the ball when the foul is called. I know it doesn't always get called that way but it is intended to be.

[EastexHawg]

But the offense can put players on the floor that can shoot. If they don't it is either a weakness of the team...

Apparently such a weakness that they are far enough ahead of their opponent over the first 38 minutes that said opponent feels the need to resort to intentionally mugging them within .8 second of the ball being inbounded every time.

[HogInThaGrove]

Changes I'd like to see:

1. 2 year minimum for student/athletes.  Improves college game and pro game and eliminates pro jv squads like Kentucky.  Win/win for both college and pros

2. 30 second max shot clock.  Going from 35 to 30 would give each team 6 extra possessions at a minimum.  There's no reason a team should be able to waste over half a minute dribbling out front.  Play the game, this isn't high school.

3.  2 full 1 30 second time out per half per team.  Reduce the length of tv timeouts to 30 seconds. 

4.  Reduce the "jump into" foul where the offensive player initiates contact on a jump shot. 

5.  Tie-ups should be Jump balls, not alternating possessions.  Jump it up. 

Just a couple of things I'd like to see.

[bigredone]

Apparently such a weakness that they are far enough ahead of their opponent over the first 38 minutes that said opponent feels the need to resort to intentionally mugging them within .8 second of the ball being inbounded every time.

What if they change the number of free throws to reflect where they foul? Foul outside the 3 point line let them take 3 free throws after the penalty? I am a firm believer that free throws are and should be important; this would keep that in play while making a comeback somewhat tougher which is what you appear to want. 

Note that this would have to end the idiotic hand check fouls where the offensive player's progress is not actually impacted. If it doesn't interfere with the direction the player is moving or result in loss of control of the ball it should not be a foul at mid-court.

I don't understand why a team should be rewarded for having players on the floor without the most basic skill required in the game at such a critical time. Where you a Shaq fan maybe?

[EastexHawg]

What if they change the number of free throws to reflect where they foul? Foul outside the 3 point line let them take 3 free throws after the penalty? I am a firm believer that free throws are and should be important; this would keep that in play while making a comeback somewhat tougher which is what you appear to want.

No, what I want is to watch basketball at the end of games, not WWF grappling followed by a march to the free throw line every two seconds that one team has the ball.  That and for the last two minutes of a game not to last 20-30 minutes. 

I don't understand why a team should be rewarded for having players on the floor without the most basic skill required in the game at such a critical time. Where you a Shaq fan maybe?

I don't understand why a team should be rewarded for committing a rules violation, a foul. 

Again, why should the defense...the team that is trailing...be allowed to dictate how the team that is leading will play offense for their last 8-10 possessions of the game?  We already have a shot clock, so how about getting a steal or playing defense and rebounding for 30-35 seconds?  And if that's not good enough to get you back in the game, how about not getting blown out by 10-12 points over the first 38 minutes in the first place?

My opinion has nothing to do with Shaq, although I didn't enjoy the Hack a Shaq crap either.  Start giving the fouled team a choice of either two shots or one shot and the ball and teams would be forced to play defense instead of relying on a gimmick.

[nextlevel]

A team is rewarded when a rules violation occurs, they get the opportunity for 1-2 free points depending on the foul total at that point.

[tconey1]

Timeouts have to be addressed. A game can go into the second half with potentially 14 clock stoppage points (4 TV, 5 coach TO's on each side).

That's way too many.

Not to nitpick but teams lose one TO in the second half whether they use it or not in the first half leaving them with only 4.

[The_Iceman]

Changes I'd like to see:

1. 2 year minimum for student/athletes.  Improves college game and pro game and eliminates pro jv squads like Kentucky.  Win/win for both college and pros

2. 30 second max shot clock.  Going from 35 to 30 would give each team 6 extra possessions at a minimum.  There's no reason a team should be able to waste over half a minute dribbling out front.  Play the game, this isn't high school.

3.  2 full 1 30 second time out per half per team.  Reduce the length of tv timeouts to 30 seconds. 

4.  Reduce the "jump into" foul where the offensive player initiates contact on a jump shot. 

5.  Tie-ups should be Jump balls, not alternating possessions.  Jump it up. 

Just a couple of things I'd like to see.

Good points. I'd alter these just slightly:

1) Do like baseball. If you come, you stay for two years. If not, you can go pro.

3) I'd leave media timeouts the same, but only give coaches two 60 second timeouts per half. Right when the timeout is whistled, a :60 clock immediately starts on the scoreboard. When the buzzer sounds, the ref starts his 5 second count to inbound the ball.

[PorkerOinker]

Changes I'd like to see:

1. 2 year minimum for student/athletes.  Improves college game and pro game and eliminates pro jv squads like Kentucky.  Win/win for both college and pros

2. 30 second max shot clock.  Going from 35 to 30 would give each team 6 extra possessions at a minimum.  There's no reason a team should be able to waste over half a minute dribbling out front.  Play the game, this isn't high school.

3.  2 full 1 30 second time out per half per team.  Reduce the length of tv timeouts to 30 seconds. 

4.  Reduce the "jump into" foul where the offensive player initiates contact on a jump shot. 

5.  Tie-ups should be Jump balls, not alternating possessions.  Jump it up. 

Just a couple of things I'd like to see.

I like the sound of all that, but TV timeouts will not get reduced. A reducution in those timeouts is a reduction in advertising monies.