Upcoming Changes in College Basketball Replay Review System
The NCAA has announced that significant modifications are likely to be made to the college basketball replay review system. These changes aim to enhance the game’s flow and permit coaches to challenge specific calls.
Meetings in Indianapolis
This week, NCAA basketball rules committees for both men’s and women’s games are convening in Indianapolis. They have suggested multiple modifications, which, contingent upon approval by the playing rules oversight panel on June 10, could be implemented for the 2025-26 season.
Proposed Changes for Men’s Basketball
Among the recommendations for men’s basketball is the introduction of a coach’s challenge to review out-of-bounds calls, basket interference/goaltending, and whether a secondary defender was within the restricted-area arc at any game moment. Teams would need a timeout to make a challenge; a successful overturn would grant an additional challenge, while an upheld call would prevent any further challenges.
Referee Review Initiation Limits
Referees will still have the ability to conduct video reviews for goaltending and restricted arc situations during the last two minutes of regulation and overtime, but they won’t be able to initiate reviews for out-of-bounds calls, a change aimed at reducing delays during critical game moments.
Focus on Game Flow
Committee chair Karl Hicks noted that the intention behind these changes is to prioritize game flow, especially given the increased stoppages in the concluding minutes of the season. The committee was inspired by the NBA’s coach’s challenge system and decided to adopt a similar approach.
Additional Recommendations
Plans for women’s basketball include a coach’s challenge system with different parameters, covering out-of-bounds calls and certain fouls. Additional recommendations involve allowing more “and-ones,” simplifications in timeout regulations, and clarifications regarding traveling and player misconduct rules. The 2025-26 season for both men and women is set to begin in early November.
