These Games Never Run Out of Time

College basketball should be decided by athletic prowess, speed and grace, not by free throws and timeouts. The most boring show on earth is the last few, eternal minutes of many games.

Free throws are only slightly less boring than the other plague of college basketball--endless timeouts, especially in the final few minutes of a close game. Make a basket, call time out. Opposing free throw, call time out. In trouble due to tough defense, call time out. Can’t inbound the ball, call time out. Call back-to-back timeouts in an attempt to “outsmart” the opposing coach. Save us from the endless commercials and coaches’ egos!

Restore the excitement and integrity of a wonderful sport through some simple rule changes. The free-throw situation is easy. Give the fouled team the option of shots or possession of the ball. Allow timeouts only when the ball is dead, and only when your team has possession. Forbid back-to-back timeouts and timeouts to save an inbound five-second violation. Give the game back to the athletes and fans.

LEN MARABELLA

Torrance