NCAA's possible rule changes for men's basketball are...interesting

The NCAA is considering rule changes for men’s basketball next season, and some of them could really shake up the sport. This morning, CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander shared screenshots of the survey the NCAA sent out, and college basketball Twitter is all aflutter. Among the proposed changes: moving to six fouls (with conditions), getting rid of the one-and-one free throw, more instant replay, and limiting timeouts in the final two minutes and/or overtime.

Here’s the complete list:

2020-21 Possible Rule Changes (via @MattNorlander)

— Widen the lane to 16 feet

— Reset team fouls at the 10:00 minute mark of each half and begin double bonus on the 5th team foul of each 10-minute segment. This would eliminate the one-and-one free throw.

— Allow laptops, tablets, or similar devices in the bench area for coaching purposes.

— Adopt a modified six-foul rule with the following provisions:

1. A player may not commit more than three personal/technical fouls in any one half. Penalty – disqualification.

2. A player may commit three personal/technical fouls in the first half and three in the second half. In this case, the player is allowed six fouls before being disqualified.

3. A player may commit two personal/technical fouls in the first half and would be disqualified on his fourth personal/technical in the second half. Total – six fouls.

4. A player may commit zero or one personal/technical fouls in the first half and would be disqualified on the player’s fourth personal/technical in the second half. See #1.

— Award possession of the ball to the defense when they create a held ball situation.

— Limit the number of timeouts that may be called by any one team in the last two minutes of the second period or of any overtime period to two.

— In the last two minutes of the second period or of any overtime period, allow instant replay review of potential shot-clock violations when the shot is unsuccessful.

— Eliminate the ten-second backcourt rule.

— Permit the use of Instant Replay on all basket interference/goaltending calls throughout the game, but only when a call has been made by an official.

— Permit a team to decline free throws in the last two minutes of the last period or of any overtime period and elect possession of the ball for a throw-in instead.

— Eliminate offensive basket interference after the ball hits the ring or flange. Would make the rule consistent with the FIBA rule.

— Adjust the traveling rule to allow a player to take two steps after lifting his pivot foot which would make moves such as the spin move, Euro-step and step-back shot legal.

— Eliminate the five second closely guarded rule.

 

Some of these, like allowing laptops or tablets on the sidelines, are no-brainers. I even like the concept of moving to six fouls under certain conditions and limiting timeouts in the final two minutes. However, getting rid of the one-and-one free throw?! Nothing about block/charge or moving to four quarters?

I know you’ve got thoughts, so share ’em in the comments.