Coach’s challenges are coming to a basketball court near you.
That’s right, as if games weren’t slowed down enough by referees looking at monitors towards the end of games to review everything from who touched the ball last going out of bounds to seemingly a broken nail, now the NCAA has approved coaches’ challenges that will begin with this winter’s basketball season, similar to what the NBA allows.
Beginning in the 2025-2026 basketball season, coaches will be allowed at most two challenges per game. Teams must have a timeout remaining to do so, and if the challenge is successful, the coach will be allowed one more for the rest of the game — including overtime. However, if the challenge is not successful, the coach will not be allowed to challenge another call for the rest of the game.
But here’s the rub: officials will still be able to stop play to review calls to make sure they get them right within the last two minutes of the game and overtime. It has disrupted many games in the recent past and caused some serious frustration with fans and other onlookers. This move would allow a coach not to have to wait for an official review late in the game. At least there is a limit to how many times this can be done.
Now, if only we could shut off the monitors or put a limit on how many times the officials can take over a game as the sands of the hourglass run out.
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