The NCAA men's basketball rules committee took a big swing at fixing what ails the sport, announcing an array of proposed alterations to the way the game is played. This no longer is a sport that seems terrified of change.
Pending expected approval from the men's basketball oversight committee, the key changes are these:
• Reducing the shot clock from 35 seconds to 30.
• Reducing the number of second-half timeouts by one for each team; eliminating coaches calling live-ball timeouts; reducing the amount of time to replace a player who has fouled out; and adjusting media timeout procedures.
• Allowing teams a total of 10 seconds to advance the ball past halfcourt, even if a timeout is called.
• Expanding the restricted arc under the basket from three feet to four feet.
• Penalties for faking fouls (i.e., flopping).
• Most importantly, a renewed enforcement of rules that limit physical play.
That's a lot. And it's all needed. Badly needed.