Yahoo news reports that the NCAA’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Committee passed recommendations to clarify the rules for defense under the basket and for how a substitute free throw shooter is selected in the event the fouled player is unable to take the FTs. The recommendations have to be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel before they can join the cannon for the 2009-10 season.
The Rules Committee opted to clarify the rule for "under the basket" defense rather than paint the now-familiar NBA style restricted-area arc in the lane. The NCAA rule prohibits a secondary defender from establishing a defensive position in the area between the front of the rim to the front of the backboard. A player can establish a defensive position, but it must be "outside" of that area.
The Free Throw Substitute rule change is of interest to Big East (especially Marquette) fans in that it would prohibit the substitution that occurred at the end of the Marquette-Missouri game in the 2nd round of the NCAAs. Missouri player J.T. Tiller was injured and Missouri coach tabbed freshman Kim English to take the throws for Tiller. The new rule (the "JT Tiller Rule") would allow the opposing to choose the substitute shooter from the four players who were on the court at the time of the foul.
The Committee also recommended referees could use a monitor to determine if a foul was flagrant. Even if the foul is not flagrant, the referee would have the discretion to assess and intentional or technical foul for the contact.
