Virginia Tech Men's Basketball Coach Buzz Williams to Study New Game of Basketball this Summer

On Friday the NCAA proposed a package of rules to enhance scoring opportunities and balance the offense and defense in college basketball. The NCAA's entire recommendation is available in a statement, and CliffsNotes follow.

#MBBRules Committee proposes reducing shot clock to 30 seconds with eye on increasing possessions and pace of play. pic.twitter.com/o5IgWevUky— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) May 15, 2015

#MBBRules Committee proposes rules with goal of reducing physicality in the sport. pic.twitter.com/XW0iwZNeCN— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) May 15, 2015

#MBBRules Committee proposes changes related to timeouts. pic.twitter.com/qrGYSL8tk7— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) May 15, 2015

The recommendations must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to discuss the changes via conference call June 8.

"Although the reduction in the shot clock to help increase scoring seemed to be the most discussed topic, the increase in the physicality of play has been a major concern for coaches. The NCAA rules committee has addressed that this week with an emphasis on perimeter defense and post play," Georgia State head coast Ron Hunter, the chairman of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, said in the statement.

In an interview with Marc Tracy of The New York Times Jay Bilas provided excellent insight of the problem the NCAA is attempting to solve.

In an interview, Jay Bilas, a college basketball analyst for ESPN, echoed that sentiment. "The shot clock is a positive step forward — I wish they had gone to 24 — but the most important initiative is going to be freedom of movement," he said. "We have very skilled players, and they're not able to show their skill because of the physicality of the game."

"A lot of it is going to be up to the supervisors and officials themselves to stick with it, and not be deterred by momentary complaining," Bilas said. "We tried to do a portion of this two years ago, and we didn't have the will to stick with it."

Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Buzz Williams might have had a long family vacation planned this summer. The Virgin Islands are breathtaking this time of year, and Charleston is gorgeous. Perhaps he was going to master the art of smoking pork butts in an effort to understand to the regional cuisine. Tomorrow's trip to the Cascade Falls is as rewarding as yesterday's. Does Buzz golf? Either way, in a reminder that Williams is playing chess, not checkers, Buzz will spend the hot months learning the new rules inside and out.

#Hokies basketball coach Buzz Williams on rule changes: "My summer plans just changed, because we are playing a completely new game now ..."— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) May 15, 2015

"....I need to spend my time learning the best strategies involved," - #Hokies basketball coach Buzz Williams on new NCAA rule changes.— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) May 15, 2015

#Hokies Buzz Williams was particularly surprised by the rule preventing coaches from calling timeouts during live-ball situations. "Seismic"— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) May 15, 2015

I've got a new job- One that I need to prepare for & learn about. It is going to be a completely different game now. https://t.co/ZJ7ABSu3fL— Buzz Williams (@TeamCoachBuzz) May 15, 2015