3-Pointer Will Stay the Same

The three-point shot in college basketball will stay at 19 feet 9 inches for at least another season but intentional fouls will be more costly to the defense, the secretary of the NCAA Rules Committee said Wednesday.

Ed Steitz, the committee secretary, said: “The three-point rule did exactly what it was intended to do,” namely increased scoring, opened the game and reduced rough play under the boards.

A late-season poll showed overwhelming support for retaining the shot in some form, he added.

Three changes were voted in for next season.

Currently, an intentional foul carries a two-shot penalty, but the offending team gains possession of the ball. In the future, all intentional fouls will not only carry a two-shot penalty but the fouled team will get possession after the free throws.

Another change permits calling a technical foul on the coach if any of his players leave the bench to take part in a fight on the court.

The third change reduces the penalty for erroneously questioning a scoring or timing decision. Now, a coach can be called for a technical foul, if he questions a decision that is deemed correct. The change calls for charging his team with a timeout.