NCAA Introduces Coach's Challenges for Men's Basketball; New Rules to Enhance Game Flow and Fairness
June 10, 2025
The NCAA is also exploring a potential shift from halves to quarters in men's basketball, although this will require further study due to media considerations.
On June 10, 2025, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel announced the introduction of coach's challenges in men's college basketball, set to take effect in the 2025-26 season.
This new challenge system, which mirrors the NBA's approach, allows coaches to review specific calls such as out-of-bounds, basket interference, goaltending, and restricted area violations.
Coaches can only initiate reviews for out-of-bounds calls if they have a timeout available, and a successful challenge grants an additional challenge, while an unsuccessful one eliminates further challenges.
Karl Hicks, chairman of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee, emphasized the importance of correcting missed calls without significantly slowing down the game.
The decision to implement these changes follows a controversial incident in February 2025, where a player was ejected for inadvertent contact, raising concerns about officiating accuracy.
In addition to the challenge system, a new rule allows officials to call a Flagrant 1 foul for incidental contact to an opponent's groin, enhancing the discretion available to referees.
These changes aim to improve game flow and maintain officiating accuracy, addressing the concerns over excessive video reviews that have plagued recent games.
To further enhance the pace of play, the NCAA has limited the time officials can spend reviewing calls at the monitor.
Additionally, using the rim to gain an advantage will now be classified as basket interference, and adjustments have been made regarding shot clock operations.
Overall, these rule changes reflect the NCAA's ongoing effort to enhance fairness and accuracy in officiating while adapting to modern game dynamics.
Despite these advancements, it's important to note that unlike the NBA, college coaches will not be able to challenge foul calls.
Summary based on 8 sources
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Sources

ESPN • Jun 10, 2025
Coach's challenges approved for men's college basketball - ESPN
Bleacher Report • Jun 10, 2025
NCAA Panel Approves Coach's Challenge Rule Change for Men's College Basketball Games
Yahoo Sports • Jun 10, 2025
NCAA to introduce coach's challenges in men's college basketball starting in 2025-26 season
ClutchPoints • Jun 10, 2025
NCAA basketball news: CBB adding coach's challenges, limiting reviews in 2025-26