Coaches Challenge System: A New Era of Accountability

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee has an ambitious vision for the 2025-26 season, proposing a coach’s challenge system to enhance game flow. This move, slated for discussion at the June 10 NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel meeting, aims to address an issue that plagued the sport last season.

Karl Hicks, chair of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee: “The committee focused on the flow of the game, especially the increased number of stoppages at the end of the game, this past season. Coach’s challenges were deemed to be the most efficient way to accomplish this goal.

Here’s how the coach’s challenge would work:

  • One challenge per team, on any basket interference/goaltending or restricted arc play.
  • Successful challenges earn another challenge for the rest of the game, excluding the final 2 minutes of regulation/overtime.
  • Officials cannot initiate video reviews of out-of-bounds calls but can review the aforementioned plays in the final 2 minutes of the game.
Coach Using a Challenge in Basketball

Other Proposals: Quarters, Continuation, and Officials’ Focus

The committee also recommended exploring:

  • Switching from halves to quarters, a move popular in other leagues.
  • Loosening player continuation restrictions to align with professional and high school rules.

New officiating emphases include reducing delay-of-game tactics, time spent at the monitor, enhancing game administration efficiency, and cutting down on physicality.

“Bringing Our Game In Line With Other Levels Of Basketball”

Karl Hicks elaborates on the committee’s drive to modernize NCAA rules: “Our players are sophisticated, and the committee felt we were penalizing offensive players… We want to bring our game in line with what other levels of basketball are doing. Hopefully, we won’t see as many officials waving off baskets that will now be considered part of the shot.”

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Did you know?

The NBA has used a coach’s challenge system since 2019, and the WNBA adopted it in 2021.

Pro Tip

Under the proposed continuation rule, expect to see more offensive plays rewarded even after contact is made.

Looking Ahead

The proposed changes—especially the coach’s challenge system—could significantly impact NCAA basketball. As the sport continues to evolve, staying informed about these developments will be key for fans and analysts alike.

READ MORE: Latest News and Analysis in NCAA Basketball

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