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Arizona’s basketball team spent some time with NCAA officials yesterday after practice at McKale Center learning the new important rules for the 2015-16 season.
The NCAA approved multiple rule changes to men’s basketball, including a 30-second shot clock instead of a 35-second clock.
The panel approved reducing the number of timeouts each team can use in the second half from four to three and eliminating some of the extra stoppages by using any timeout called within 30 seconds of a media timeout as the scheduled break.
Committee members hope that will eliminate the occasional double timeouts that occur when there is no natural break around the 16-, 12-, 8- and 4-minute marks.
Also, the arc underneath the basket will be extended out another foot, from 3 feet to 4 feet, after data showed it reduced the number of collisions.
The timeout change may affect Arizona and Sean Miller the most. Miller has shown a tendency to call quick timeouts to stop momentum, adjust the defense or shift personnel.
Coaches such as Miller will be more cautious in calling quick timeouts, which may affect their team’s performance in the flow of the game. Most of the timeouts are for psychological reasons and to make sure the players understand the situation at hand and their assignments.
The 30-second clock could play into Arizona’s favor especially on defense if it can set itself before an opponent gets in transition. Miller’s teams are known for their baseline defense. If the opponent feels rushed with five less seconds in a halfcourt set, that can only contribute to the psyche of Arizona’s defense having an edge.
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Site founder and award-winning sports journalist Javier Morales has published his first e-book, “The Highest Form of Living”, a fiction piece about a young man who overcomes a troubled upbringing without his lost father and wayward mother through basketball and hope. His hope is realized through the sport he loves. Basketball enables him to get past his fears. His experience on the court indirectly brings him closer to his parents in a unique, heartfelt way. Please order it at Amazon (for only $4.99) by clicking on the photo:
Congrats to our own Allonzo Trier (@ISOzo_LOE) on being named to the Jerry West Award watch list. #APlayersProgram pic.twitter.com/DYpp1Edbsm
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) October 13, 2015
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Learning the new rule changes after practice today. #HonorTheProcess pic.twitter.com/ueGXQs3EwG
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) October 14, 2015
