The NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee discussed overarching issues regarding the future of the game during its annual meeting this week in Indianapolis.

While no major rules changes were proposed, the committee believes the changes made in the previous rules cycle have paid significant dividends in improving the quality of college men’s basketball.

“We continue to be pleased with the trajectory of the game,” said Keith Dambrot, chair of the committee and men’s basketball coach at Duquesne. “Without a doubt, the rules changes and officiating emphasis in previous seasons have been successful. We continue to build on this and look forward to continuing the trend.”

During its meetings, the committee reviewed data from recent seasons and met with the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee.

The groups agreed that changes made two seasons ago have improved the balance between offense and defense. Last season, Division I teams averaged 73.4 points per game compared with the 67.5 points scored in the 2012-13 season, an increase of 8.7 percent during that period. This year’s point total and field goal percentage (44.4 percent) are the highest since the 1994-95 season. Teams also averaged 70.3 possessions per game in the 2016-17 season compared with 65.8 two years ago. Divisions II and III schools showed similar statistics in the past two seasons.

As part of the new Division I governance structure, the Division I Men’s Basketball Competition Committee collaborated with the rules committee on several key items. The two groups began conducting a holistic review of potential significant rules changes, including a careful examination of any unintended consequences that could result if those rules were changed.

The rules committee also discussed possible long-term changes that would continue the positive momentum. Some of the items on the agenda included whether to widen the lane to 16 feet from the current 12 feet; whether the 3-point line should be moved farther back from its current 20 feet, 9 inches; and whether to use a modified foul structure to allow more personal fouls in certain situations. The committee will encourage conferences to experiment with these concepts next season. The committee also discussed using quarters instead of the current format with two halves, but it did not take any action.

2017-18 Rules Recommendations

The committee’s rules proposals must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to discuss the men’s basketball rules recommendations June 13. The committee’s recommendations are: