Rescue College Basketball: Rules Changes That Would Make the Game More Exciting

During this "off season" let's think about a few changes to the game we all love. No, not NIL issues, that is another whole article and total disaster of its own. I do have some suggestions, but I will share those later. I have played at the D1 level, and coached at the D1 level, I have been around basketball for over 70 years. I have coached players and played against players who have played in the NBA. I do not say that to imply that that makes me an expert or for that matter any smarter than any other basketball fan. But it does imply that I do have some background and knowledge about the game. So here is my point for this post. If I was made basketball czar and could make changes to this game I love, what would they be?

First, let me start by saying, I have seen the game change and evolve a lot since I started watching in the 1950s. Most of the changes improved the game. However, I think the game has stagnated and become boring in the last few years. Everyone plays the same way, there is too much one-on-one, too much dribbling, too many fouls called (especially in college, the fouling at the end of the game really has gotten ridiculous), and the most negative aspect of the modern game is the dominance of the 3-point line. I say that as a former high school and college guard, who would have benefitted from the 3-point basket when I played. I like the 3-point basket and the excitement it brings, but I believe that from high school to the pros there is too much emphasis on the basketball arc.

As the basketball czar, here are some of the changes that I think should be instituted into the game. I am listing the changes and my perceived effect:

1. Widen the basketball court 4 feet, from 50 ft. to 54 ft. (more room for the huge bodies that play the game) Side bar, I have seen more players step out-of-bounds this year than I have ever seen before.
2. Back up the 3-point line AND make it the same distance in the NBA and college, from current 23.75 ft. (22 ft. on sideline) to 24.75 ft. all the way around the basket. That will encourage more team play and less shooting threes. Percentages will go down and ONLY the very best outside shooters will be shooting 3s. Also, a great side effect would be an appreciation for the drive, ball-handling, and pull up medium range jump shot that is undervalued in today's game.
3. Move the free throw line back to 16 ft. and make the lane the same for college and pro (16 ft).
4. Every made free throw counts 2 points. (Price to be paid for fouling.) Stop some of the fouling in the last minute of the game to allow the defensive team to trade 2 or 3 points for 1.
5. Eliminate the offensive goal interference call. After the ball hits the rim, it is "fair game".
6. Colleges play 10-minute quarters. (After the 6th team foul in each quarter, unless in the act of shooting, the team gets TWO free throws.)
7. Allow 6 fouls for college players per game, just like in the NBA. (The best players should not be sitting on the bench for 10 minutes due to foul trouble.)
8. Shorten the shot clock in college to 24 seconds, like the pros. (Faster play, less dribbling, and more scoring.)
9. Two time-outs per quarter and no carry overs. TV time outs and coaches time outs have added 30 minutes to the game.
10. Allow only ONE point for a dunk. (I have never figured out the infatuation of a "dunk" by a 6'6" or 6'10" player. ESPN highlights are full of dunks, like it requires A LOT of skill for a tall basketball athlete to dunk the ball.) If a "slam", "flush", etc. is that exciting you should just go to the local playground and watch tall kids who can jump.
11. Eliminate the backcourt 10 second violation. Teams have 20 seconds to shoot the ball. Period.
12. A coach gets two "challenges" per game period. No "reviews" or whatever they want to call it. Speed up the game. Refs quit having to go review every call you make in the last 2 minutes.
13. Call fouls on the offensive player IF he initiates the contact, stop all the leaning into the defensive player OR pushing off to create "space" to shoot the basketball.

Basketball is a game of agility, finesse, quickness, and skill but in recent years it has turned into a "slugfest", "bully ball", and free throw shooting contest. Play defense without fouling and return the game to a highly skilled event performed by exceptionally talented athletes. Basketball is the ultimate team game. It is time to minimize the one-on-one play while four other guys clear out and watch. Basketball, like every other aspect of our life, undergoes changes and evolves. It is time basketball evolve into a better, more exciting entertainment event.

We have an entire offseason to get some of these things done. The sooner the better the game will be.