The 3-point line in NCAA men's basketball could be moving back one foot under a proposal approved by the men's basketball rules committee. It was approved by the playing rules oversight panel on May 25, putting the line at 20 feet, 9 inches, starting with the 2008-09 season.

"We believe this alteration will provide more space between the perimeter players and post players," said Larry Keating, chair and senior associate athletics director at Kansas. "There has been a tremendous amount of data collection and discussion on this issue and we believe this is the best option for the game and its future."

The line has been at 19-9 since implementation for the 1986-87 season.

Previous attempts to change playing rules, including mandating backboards that light up on expiration of the shot clock or game clock, have been overturned before implementation. The one-year time lag is to allow time for repainting lines. The playing rules are the same at all divisions of the NCAA.

The women's rules committee voted to keep its 3-point line at 19-9. "Our committee supports the efforts of the men's committee to improve its game," said chair Ronda Seagraves, associate athletics director at Southwestern. "At this time, the current court dimensions are meeting the needs of the women's game, and we did not feel a change would be good for our game."