A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME IN CIS MEN'S HOOPS NEXT SEASON

The coming change in Canadian university basketball is set in stone -- the CIS just announced that it will begin implementing the "FIBA rules" for men's basketball next season.

It seems to be a huge deal in the CIS basketball community, where men's coaches were four-square against the move during a poll taken last March. The big change is going to a 24-second shot clock, like the NBA, instead of the current 30.

(UPDATE, Dec. 7: Saint Mary's coach Ross Quackenbush told the Halifax Daily News " ...in terms of consistency, it's probably not a bad idea. But there's also talk that if we don't play by international rules, then basketball in Canada will fall way behind, and that's just nonsense.")

In the coach's eyes, that makes it more difficult to play a controlled, team-oriented style, and it works against achieving the parity that makes possible the upsets you see in the NCAA Tournament every year. Six fewer seconds puts much more emphasis on quickness and having individual stars who can create their own shot.

According to the CIS press release, the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations will make a decision early in the new year. Ontario is one of only three provinces that hasn't switched or made plans to for high school hoops -- and it might be the only one that still plays the 32-minute game instead of 40.

Previous:
Coming Change in CIS Basketball (Nov. 24)
Related:
Anthony's FIBA vs. USA Basketball rule page (includes the CIS)

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