Major Rule Changes Coming to College Basketball Including Challenges

College basketball is going to look a bit different next season.

On Tuesday, the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved several rule changes, including the implementation of a coach’s challenge.

“Changes include a coach’s challenge at any point in a game to review out-of-bounds calls, basket interference/goaltending and whether a secondary defender was in the restricted-area arc,” the NCAA said in a press release. “The panel also approved modifications to the rule on continuous motion on field goal attempts. Other enhancements to help with the flow of the game focus on the points of emphasis for officials for 2025-26. These will include directives to address delay-of-game tactics, limit time spent at the monitor, improve game administration efficiency and reduce physicality.”

The coach that is challenging a play must have a timeout available to request a review.

“If the instant replay review challenge is successful, teams will be allowed to have one additional video review challenge for the rest of the game, including overtime,” the NCAA said. “If the first video review challenge is unsuccessful, the team loses the ability to challenge the rest of the game.”

At the bottom of the press release, the NCAA listed the following other rule changes that will be made:

• “Officials will have the option to call a Flagrant 1 foul when a player is contacted to the groin. A Flagrant 1 foul results in two free throws for the offended team and possession of the ball. Previously, officials could only call a common foul or deem it a Flagrant 2 foul, in which the player receives an ejection, and the offended team receives two free throws and possession of the ball.
• If a player uses the rim to gain an advantage, it will be a basket interference violation.
• If one of the shot clocks becomes inoperable, the shot clock at the other basket will remain on. Previously, both clocks would be shut off until both are operable.”

See the full press release here.