In a recent appearance on The Sideline with Andy Katz, Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope sparked renewed conversation about modernizing college basketball rules. His bold suggestion? Allow teams to advance the ball to half-court following a timeout—a rule already used in the NBA and women’s college basketball.
“I’d love to see teams able to advance the ball out of timeouts,” Pope said. He believes the change would make end-of-game moments more exciting and strategic, giving teams a better shot at executing high-quality plays in the final seconds.
Currently, men’s college basketball does not permit ball advancement after a timeout, which can limit playmaking opportunities in crunch time. Pope’s proposal seeks to align the sport more closely with professional and women’s college standards, potentially ushering in a new era of thrilling finishes and tactical depth.
As the NCAA continues to explore possible rule updates, Pope’s advocacy stands out as a forward-thinking approach aimed at enhancing the game for both players and fans.
