The NCAA has officially unveiled six major rule changes set to shake up the 2025/26 college basketball season, promising faster gameplay, improved fairness, and a sharper focus on player safety.
1. Extended Coach’s Challenge – Coaches will now have two challenges per game instead of one, allowing them to contest more officiating calls, especially in high-stakes moments.
2. 24-Second Reset on Offensive Rebounds – After an offensive rebound, the shot clock will reset to 24 seconds instead of 30, aiming to keep the pace high and reduce long, drawn-out possessions.
3. Stricter Flopping Penalties – Players caught flopping will face an automatic technical foul, even on first offenses, to curb theatrics and promote genuine defensive play.
4. Expanded Restricted Area Under the Basket – The semi-circle for blocking/charging calls has been widened by eight inches, giving offensive players more protection when attacking the rim.
5. Mid-Season Transfer Window – Athletes will now have a 14-day mid-season transfer period without penalty, part of the NCAA’s effort to provide greater flexibility in the era of NIL deals.
6. Mandatory Wearable Tech for Injury Tracking – All players must now wear league-approved biometric devices during games to monitor workload and reduce risk of overuse injuries.
NCAA officials say the updates were made after months of consultations with coaches, players, and medical experts, with the aim of “making the college basketball experience more exciting, transparent, and safe.” Fans can expect these changes to influence strategies from the very first tip-off in November.
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