The NCAA approved on Monday a number of recommendations made by college basketball's rule committee last month. The changes are mostly centered on making the college game more fan friendly, with changes like shortening the shot clock, and increasing the freedom of movement for offensive players intended to increase the scoring in games.

After two decades, the shot clock will now be set at 30 seconds, down from 35. Those who recommended the change suggest that a shorter shot clock would lead to more possessions, hence more points.

Another change to be implemented concerns the number of timeouts for each team. Teams will now have just four timeouts instead of five, and will only be allowed to carry three of them into the second half, as noted by Jeff Eisenberg of The Dagger.

The report also points out that timeouts coming within 30 seconds prior to scheduled TV timeouts will become TV timeouts, except for the first team timeout of the second half.

There will also be a wider restricted area under the basket, along with more emphasis on policing clutching, grabbing, and arm bars on defense, which are intended to also aid the scoring dip that the college game has seen over the years.

Back in the 2012-2013 season, Division I basketball scoring reached its lowest mark in the 3-point era, with teams norming 67.5 points per game. It had a bit of an uptick the following season, but went back down to 67.7 this past season.

Opponents of the shorter shot clock argue that having five less seconds may not lead to its intended increased scoring, saying tighter defenses would result in decreased shooting percentages.

Another issue pointed out by The Dagger is the possibility of the game moving into homogeneity. March Madness has been an eagerly anticipated event because the contrast in styles with each team allows for a less talented team to upset a superior team. Those against the shorter clock say with more possessions, it will ultimately favor the more talented teams, thus making the outcomes more expected.