MEN’S

Quick! You better shoot

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a proposal over the summer to reduce the shot clock from 35 seconds to 30 seconds in hopes of speeding up the pace of play. This is the first time the NCAA has reduced the shot clock since 1993, when it dropped from 45 seconds to 35 seconds.

Please don’t kill my vibe

Teams will now have one fewer timeout to use in the second half, as only three timeouts can be carried over rather than four. This rule was also implemented to quicken the time of games and help teams maintain rhythm and pace in the second half.

The arc just got bigger

Another change the panel approved is to move the restricted area arc from 3 feet to 4 feet around the hoop. The idea behind the change is that it will lead to fewer fouls and collisions beneath the basket, therefore reducing hard falls and major injuries like concussions.

WOMEN’S

Four-quarter conversion

The biggest rule change affecting women’s basketball is the decision to turn two 20-minute halves into four 10-minute quarters. According to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee, the switch from halves to quarters will improve the flow of games.

Take it out in the frontcourt

The NCAA rules committee implanted a change that “allows teams to advance the ball to the frontcourt following a timeout immediately after a made basket in the last 59.9 seconds of the fourth quarter and any overtime periods.” The NCAA hopes inbounding the ball in the frontcourt in late game situations will make the endings of games more exciting.

Let’s get loud

One of the more seemingly trivial changes to affect women’s basketball this season will be that pep bands and amplified music can be played during any dead-ball situation. The previous rules prohibited any music to be played outside of timeouts and intermissions.

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