The 3-point line in college basketball is moving back

The 3-point line is officially moving back.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel voted Wednesday to push back the 3-point line to the international distance of 22 feet, 1¾ inches. It was previously 20 feet, 9 inches.

The rule goes into place for the 2019-20 season. Nebraska and Creighton both played with the international 3-point line during the 2019 NIT, when the line was moved as an experimental rule.

According to the NCAA, the change comes to make the lane more available for dribble drive plays, to slow the trend of 3-point shooting and assist in offensive spacing.

Last season the national average of 3-pointers attempted increased for the 10th straight year. This year, college basketball teams averaged 740 attempts for the season. Auburn — a Final Four team — led the country with 1,204 attempts.

Here’s the rise in average 3-point shots attempted per team the last 10 years.

18-19: 740.99

17-18: 718.57

16-17: 712.89

15-16: 669.18

14-15: 604.86

13-14: 594.65

12-13: 589.04

11-12: 586.04

10-11: 587.69

09-10: 586.04

The 3-point shot is a key element in Fred Hoiberg’s offensive system. At Iowa State under Hoiberg, the Cyclones led the Big 12 in 3-point attempts every year, and led the NCAA with 924 attempts during the 2012-13 season.

The NCAA also announced several other rule changes Wednesday:

» The shot clock will now reset to 20 seconds after an offensive rebound. This was also an experimental rule in the 2019 NIT.

» Coaches will be allowed to call live-ball timeouts in the last two minutes of the second half and overtime.

» Players will be assessed a technical foul for using derogatory language about an opponent’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

» A replay review can be conducted if a basket interference or goaltending call is made in the last two minutes of the second half or overtime.

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