MANHATTAN — New rules and a point of emphasis on existing guidelines in college basketball were implemented this season “to improve the pace of play, balance offense with defense and reduce the physicality of the sport,” according to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee.
The changes include a five-second reduction of the shot clock to 30 seconds, the expansion of the restricted area arc in the lane from three to four feet and a stricter hands-off policy on perimeter defense.
The shot clock may speed up teams, but if early test samples hold true the pace of play may slow down with more fouls and free throws.