team foul

Give the rim back to the bigs? [Marc-Grégor Campredon]

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