NCAA basketball proposes timeout rules change

The NCAA is looking to reduce the number of timeouts in college basketball, a much-needed change.

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While there has been much discussion over reducing the length of the shot clock in NCAA basketball, a simpler rule change could have a greater impact.

With five timeouts per team, including up to four in the second half, plus four media timeouts every half, there are simply too many stoppages in college basketball. A good, well-played game can often feel choppy due to the interruptions, and the final two minutes of a game can take 30 minutes of real time.

Fortunately, the college basketball rules committee has finally realized this is bad for the sport, and has proposed some rules changes which should have no trouble passing.

#MBBRules Committee proposes changes related to timeouts. pic.twitter.com/qrGYSL8tk7
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 15, 2015

CBB /

All of those, with the possible exception of the first one, make sense and would help college basketball tremendously. In particular, it’s hard to see why No. 3 wasn’t implemented several years ago.

There has been concern over the lack of offense in college basketball in recent years, leading to some mistakenly labeling it a “dead sport.” March Madness still delivered record ratings and there’s something to be appreciated about a dominant defensive team like Virginia or Kentucky.

A 30-second shot clock would presumably lead to an uptick in offense, but it comes with its own set of problems. With more possessions in the game, dominant teams and big programs get even more of an advantage, and one of the attractions of the sport is watching crazy upsets every March.

The reduction of stoppages makes for a better experience as a fan and shouldn’t do much to tip the scales in favor of certain teams. Many classic endings – see Butler vs. Notre Dame in this year’s second round – have been somewhat ruined by the sheer number of stoppages at the end of the game.

Fortunately, the NCAA has finally taken a forward-thinking approach to timeout reform. If the rules changes are passed (as they should be), the most exciting postseason tournament in sports will get even better next year.