Some rules need to change

As a good Indiana native, I love two things — basketball and euchre.

I don’t think college basketball is in trouble by any means. Millions of fans watch or go see the game played on the collegiate level.

But I’d like to see some changes.

Some small alterations to the great game of college basketball to make it more exciting.

You should note, my new rules are to increase offensive production because scoring points is fun. If you’re one of those people who love watching 51-49 games, this column probably isn’t for you.

For the rest of you who like excitement in your life, strap in.

The shot clock needs to be lowered

The current 35-second shot clock is way too long.

I would much rather see a faster-paced game giving each team more possessions than a half-court slugfest.

If you like basketball, you should like this, too.

A shorter shot clock equals more possessions per game, which obviously means more basketball playing per game.

I’m tired of watching teams dribble the ball around the arc until the shot clock hits 18 or 19, and then getting into their offense.

I’m not pointing any fingers, but this is your fault, Wisconsin.

The shot clock doesn’t need to be as short as the NBA, which is 24 seconds, but could we compromise on a 28-second shot clock?

Widen the lane

Right now, the lane is 12 feet across.

Widening the lane would allow for a more open court. It would lengthen the area where the offensive and defense could stand.

Making the lane a perfect square, 15-by-15 feet, makes sense.

The offense or defense would no longer be allowed to clog the area closest to the basket.

The lane would open up with fewer people crammed into it, making it easier for guards to drive into the lane.

The game would be freer flowing with less people around the basket.

If this rule is implemented, my next rule would also have changed.

Make defensive 3-seconds a rule

The 3-in-the-key call is only existent on offense in the NCAA. Make this a rule, and the defense would not be able to clog the lane.

Like my previous rule, this would open the court more.

Also, it would pretty much kill the zone defense, which I like because I hate the zone defense.

Call me crazy, but I like to watch teams score.

Limit number of TV timeouts

I realize schools need to make money, but I’m an irrational fan, dagnabbit.

Right now there is a television timeout every four minutes.

The easiest solution is to just make it a television timeout every five minutes instead.

So instead of four annoying stoppages that bring play to a screeching halt, the fans only have to endure three.

Advance the ball

In the final two minutes of the game, the team inbounding the ball should be able to advance the ball into the frontcourt after they call a timeout.

This rule exists in the NBA and needs to be in college basketball.

It’s tough when there are two seconds left in the game and the team inbounding the ball is down by one, two or three.

The team has to heave the ball up the entire length on the court.

And if your name isn’t Christian Laettner, it’s almost impossible to get a clean look at the basket.

This rule exists for the fans and the fans only.

Seeing how basketball is a game, it should try and make the fans happy as much as possible.

If you’re don’t like this rule, you must not like buzzer beaters.

And I don’t like you.

Follow columnist Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer.