Some significant changes everyone has been waiting for could soon come to light in Men’s college basketball.
Currently, men’s college basketball is the only major level of the sport that still plays two halves instead of four quarters, but that could soon change.
This week, the NCAA men’s basketball rules committee is meeting in Indianapolis to discuss enhancing game flow, and switching to quarters is among the top considerations.
However, rather than making an immediate change, the committee recommends forming a joint working group to gather feedback and data. A final decision could come as early as next year.
Another proposed change involves implementing a coach’s challenge system to reduce lengthy video reviews, especially during crucial late-game moments. Currently, officials frequently stop play to review out-of-bounds and other contentious calls, which disrupts the pace of play.
Under the new proposal, each team would receive one challenge per game, which is usable only if they have a timeout. If the challenge is successful, they retain it; if not, they lose it. Challenges could apply to out-of-bounds plays, goaltending, basket interference, and restricted-area calls.
Coaches—not referees—would control these reviews, streamlining the process.
Both are desperately needed to bring men’s college basketball into the modern era, so hopefully, both will pass ASAP.
Additionally, the committee is considering modifications to the continuation rule, which governs whether a basket counts when a player is fouled while shooting.
This rule has sparked controversy late in games, particularly for teams like Kentucky. Though it’s a smaller part of the discussion, any change here could significantly impact how the game is called.
I am all for continuation. Get college basketball referees as close to the pros as possible.
