There are going to be some noticeable changes in NCAA women’s basketball starting next season.
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Committee on Monday approved using a four-quarter format (10 minutes each), rather than 20-minute halves. The NCAA believes the move, which was endorsed by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association board of directors, will enhance the flow of the game.
“I like bringing the rules more in line with FIBA rules with the quarters,” said University of Maine head coach Richard Barron.
The four-quarter format was among a handful of rules changes that will take effect for the 2015-16 season.
The committee also approved a rule that will put the bonus into effect on the fifth foul of each quarter. Those will be two-shot fouls, and the bonus from the fourth quarter will carry over into overtime.
“No one enjoys watching a game where there are 40-plus free throws, so resetting the fouls at the quarter break should help with that,” Barron offered.
Previously, teams reached the one-and-one situation on the seventh foul of each half, with the double bonus taking effect on the 10th and subsequent fouls.
At least one veteran Maine women’s coach prefers a more traditional game.
“To be honest, I’m just old-fashioned. I like the game the way that it is,” said Husson University coach Kissy Walker, who begins her 25th season there in the fall.
“It’s making it so much more complicated for the officials,” she added.
Women’s college basketball also has adopted a long-used National Basketball Association rule for the final 59.9 seconds of the fourth quarter and any overtime periods.
Beginning next season, a team that calls a timeout immediately after a made basket, after a defensive rebound, or after a change of possession, will be allowed to inbound the ball in the frontcourt.
Baron said that change will make late-game possessions more exciting and force coaches to better plan how to use their timeouts.
“It’s just going to change your strategy a little bit,” Walker said. “We’re going to actually have to take some time to prepare for [those situations].”
Some changes also were made to the 10-second backcourt rule implemented last season. Now, a team will not be subject to a violation when the ball is deflected out of bounds by the defense, there is a held ball favoring the offensive team or a technical foul is called on the offensive team with the ball in the backcourt.
“The 10-second rule in backcourt rewards good pressure defense but risks exposure to easy baskets. That’s fair,” Barron said.
Post defenders also were given some latitude as a new rule will allow them to place a forearm or an open hand, with a bend in the elbow, on an offensive post player with the ball whose back is to the basket.
In another tweak, bands or amplified music may play during any dead-ball situation during a game, not just during timeouts and intermission.
A couple of other rules involving timeouts will be considered by the committee later this month.
Alley commits to UM-Machias
Kali Alley of Jonesport-Beals High School has committed to continue her basketball career and her education at the University of Maine at Machias.
The 5-foot-4 point guard averaged 18 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.3 steals for the Royalettes, earning three Downeast Athletic Conference All-Star nods. She was slowed by a knee injury during her senior season.
Alley is the daughter of two UMM graduates, former Jonesport-Beals standout Troy Alley and his wife, Bobbie. She is the granddaughter of former longtime Royals boys basketball coach Ordie Alley.
Kali Alley, the Salutatorian of her class, boasts a 4.0 grade point average and plans to major in psychology at UMM.
“Her ability on the court combined with her ability in the classroom is what we seek in the program. We look forward to her contributing right away,” said UMM coach Brac Brady.