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No more interminable endings?
New NCAA rule changes should speed up the end of games and remove endless challenges. Plus, there's optimism about the impending settlement, we highlight Atlantic 10 players who could outperform expectations next season, and go one-on-one with Indiana coach Darian DeVries.
Sean Paul
June 11, 2025
In partnership with
Good Morning! If you despised lengthy end of game reviews, you’ll love today’s Daily.
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1. Rule changes should improve end of games
Friday was a significant day for college athletics’ future. But when it comes to watching college basketball games, Tuesday might feel even bigger because of rule changes the NCAA passed.
The biggest change is the introduction of the coach's challenge. The specifics are outlined in the release:
Under the coach's challenge rule, teams must have a timeout to request an instant replay review challenge.
If the instant replay review challenge is successful, teams will be allowed to have one additional video review challenge for the rest of the game, including overtime.
If the first video review challenge is unsuccessful, the team loses the ability to challenge the rest of the game.
Officials can initiate video reviews on basket interference/goaltending and restricted arc plays in the last two minutes of the game and into overtime. Recent data shows these reviews caused minimal game interruptions. NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee members think the coach's challenge will have a significant impact on the flow of the game. Officials cannot conduct video review on out-of-bounds calls unless through a coach's challenge.
The best part? Unless a coach has a challenge, there won't be any more reviewing out-of-bounds calls in the final two minutes. Though referees can still check replay for timing mistakes, scoring errors, shot clock violations, 2-point v. 3-point makes, and flagrant fouls, among other things.
That sounds like a lot, but when you can remove the option for a player to ask for a review on anything, that’s a win.
The NCAA rule changes also include continuation.
Under the changes to the continuous motion rule, an offensive player who ends his dribble going toward the basket and absorbs contact from the defense will be permitted to pivot or complete the step the player is on and finish the field goal attempt.
Currently, players are credited with field goals only when they are fouled while shooting the basketball.
Does this mean we’ll get a bunch of SGA-copycats who foul-hunt? Maybe. I prefer to remain optimistic about this change.
Here’s a change Texas Tech fans will recognize: If a player is hit in the groin area, it'll be up to the referee's discretion to decide if it's a flagrant one or a flagrant two. Previously, it was an automatic flagrant two and the refs had no choice but to toss the player.
Finally, if a player uses the rim to gain an advantage, it’s basket interference. And if one of the shot clocks becomes inoperable, the shot clock at the other basket will remain on. Previously, both clocks would be shut off until both were operable.
2. NCAA saved itself, while programs look to future
The House v. NCAA settlement is still fresh on everyone’s mind, perhaps no one more so than NCAA president Charlie Baker. He was fairly blunt in his assessment of how the NCAA got to this point.
