
Among the changes is a 30-second shot clock, which is part of an effort to improve pace of play and offense – particularly after Division I men’s basketball scoring dropped to 67.6 ppg last season. That approached historic lows.The shot clock was last reduced for the 1993-94 season, when it dropped from 45 seconds to 35.
Another change involves time outs, with each team getting one fewer stoppage – four instead of five. Only three can be carried over to the second half.
Other pace of play items include:
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- Adjusting the media timeout procedures. A timeout called within 30 seconds of a scheduled break becomes the media time out.
- Reducing the amount of time allotted to replace a disqualified player from 20 to 15 seconds.
- Officials are also tasked to focus on a quick resumption of play following timeouts. They will issue a warning when a team does not comply and a one-shot technical on subsequent violations.
A number of changes or focus points deal with physicality.
Among them:
- The “restricted-area arc” for Division I teams will move from three feet out to four feet this year, with that change taking effect in Divisions II and III the following year. The goal is to reduce collisions in the immediate area of the basket.
- Officials will focus on requiring screeners to be stationary, physicality in post play, block/charge and faking fouls. The latter focus came about due to concerns that players trying to draw fouls by deception is a growing issue.
Other items:
- Officials will be able to use the monitor to review a potential shot clock violation on made field goals throughout the entire game.
- Class B technical fouls (e.g. hanging on rim, delaying resumption of play) will be one-shot technical fouls.
- The five-second closely guarded rule will be eliminated.
- Removal of prohibition on dunking in pregame warm-ups and at halftime.