This offseason, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee is exploring major changes to the game, including introducing a coach’s challenge system and potentially shifting from two halves to four quarters.
On Friday, the NCAA shared details from a recent meeting in Indianapolis where these ideas were discussed. Any proposed rule changes would need final approval from the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to reconvene on June 10.
In its statement, the NCAA noted there is growing support for switching men’s college basketball to a quarter-based format, though concerns remain—particularly about how media timeouts would be handled under the new structure.
Currently, men’s college basketball is the only major level of the sport still using halves. Other leagues, including high school, women’s college basketball, the NBA, WNBA, and EuroLeague, already use quarters.
Regarding the coach’s challenge proposal, the NCAA explained that each team would get one challenge per game. If the challenge is upheld, the team would retain the ability to challenge again. If it’s unsuccessful, the team would forfeit its challenge for the rest of the game.
To use a coach’s challenge, teams would be required to have a timeout available.
The NCAA provided further clarification on this possible rule change. According to their statement, officials would still be allowed to initiate video reviews for basket interference, goaltending, and restricted area violations during the final two minutes of regulation and throughout overtime—citing data that shows these reviews cause minimal disruption. However, under the proposed rules, out-of-bounds calls could only be reviewed if initiated by a coach’s challenge.
The NCAA also noted that the introduction of a coach’s challenge wouldn’t affect referees’ existing authority to use instant replay for issues like timing errors, shot clock violations, scoring disputes, flagrant fouls, or determining whether a shot was a two- or three-pointer.
As for whether these changes will be implemented, more clarity is expected in the coming month.
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