The NCAA will use FIBA Rules in the NIT this Year

The NCAA will experiment with new international compatible rules during the National Invitation Tournament this year.

Among other things, the NIT will feature a longer 3-point line, a wider free-throw lane and a shorter shot clock.

The changes for the 2018 NIT include:

• Extending the three point line by approximately one foot, eight inches to the same distance used by FIBA for international competition (22 feet, 1.75 inches).
• Widening the free throw lane from 12 feet to 16 feet, consistent with the width used by the NBA.
• The games will be divided into four 10 minute quarters as opposed to two 20 minute halves. Teams will shoot two free throws beginning with the fifth foul of each quarter.
• The shot clock will reset to 20 seconds after an offensive rebound instead of the full 30 seconds.

We would also like to see the NIT also to experiment with other FIBA rules like allowing offensive goal tending and cutting the shot clock down to 24 seconds.