New Rule Changes to be Delayed ?

[Michael Ryan]

Found this in the Ft Worth paper today - 

NCAA delays changes on lane, 3-point line
By WENDELL BARNHOUSE
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A major rule change in college basketball that
was to be implemented for the 2003-04 season is expected to be delayed a
year.  Sources said Wednesday the delay would give more than 1,000 NCAA
schools more time to implement the changes to their basketball courts
while also allowing men's and women's basketball to synchronize their
rules.

Last month, the men's and women's basketball rules committee voted to
move the 3-point line back approximately nine inches, from 19 feet, 9
inches to 20 feet, 6 inches (the international distance). In men's
basketball, the international trapezoid lane was adopted, and in women's
basketball, the trapezoid lane was to be used on an experimental basis.

Some basketball coaches attending the Big 12 Conference spring meetings
here believed that delaying the rule change was because of the
difference in the lane rule between the men's and the women's games.  "I
think because of that they're going to delay the changes for a year,"
said one Big 12 men's coach who asked not to be identified. "I think the
men and the women have to agree on the lane before you can start
painting courts that both men's and women's teams share."


Mike Ryan