team foul
The NCAA has 13 new men’s basketball rules proposals. Let’s discuss.
Ace: Before we run down the more intriguing proposals, a number of these are unlikely to be recommended. They include:
- 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
Are any of these worth discussion?
Brian: I think they're all bad ideas that are rightfully headed for the trash bin of history, except... uh... they eliminated the closely-guarded rule four or so years ago?
BiSB: One of my pet rules is that the ball should go to the defense on a wedgie.
Brian: For one when a ten second call happens it rules. Ten second calls are always awesome, fact.
Ace: The closely guarded rule came up for elimination but stayed in the book. I can’t remember the last time I saw one called, though.
Brian: They don't even count it anymore?
BiSB: It's like the "you have 10 seconds to shoot a free throw" rule. The ref counts, but he counts like a parent threatening a 5-year-old.
Seth: It's definitely been in that realm calls that are made so infrequently the coach loses it when they do.
BiSB: "Four and a haaaaaaaaaaaaaaalf..."
Seth: This always bothered me as a kid: When you're counting down, if you add a half you're going in the wrong direction.
Anyway.
Brian: I have absolutely seen a player dribble with his back to the basket closely guarded for 10 seconds in late half situations.
Ace: NCAA refs, Brian.
Brian: I may be having a Mandela effect moment.
Ace: Regardless, I don’t feel strongly about it either way. As we’ve covered, they don’t enforce it, and there’s not enough slow post play to make me worried about its impact. The three-second rule in the paint is still there, too.
Brian: Closely guarded and three second calls should be dropped. Anyway, onto things that might actually happen...
Seth: Make the whole court out of lane?
Ace: Before we do, I just have to say that as someone who used to play a lot of pickup ball, I’d be on board with the “defense gets held balls” change even though it won’t happen.
[After THE JUMP: We find a way to embed The Shot]
The good news: Zak Irvin is going to be really good. Aubrey Dawkins isn't too bad, either.
The bad news: The rest of that happened.
I'm going to bed.
#TeamFoul
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