Clarification Please: Why college basketball needs to ditch the possession arrow

For many college basketball purists, the possession arrow in one of the most controversial rules in the sport. It is used in lieu of a jump ball during live play and has been criticized by analysts and fans but has become an accepted part of basketball. The rule is now being used in virtually all levels of basketball, with the notable exceptions of the NBA and WNBA.

The jump ball used to be an extremely large part of the game. In the Dr. James Naismith days, there was a jump ball held after every made basket and to determine possession at the beginning of each quarter. Over the years, the jump ball rule has been modified and changed to occur at the beginning of the game to determine possession, when players from both teams simultaneously possess the ball (the "tie-up"), when the basketball gets stuck on the rim or a variety of other unique circumstances where possession of the ball is questioned. Coaches had plays diagrammed for jump balls, just as they do for in-bounds plays.

In 1981, college basketball went away from jump balls during the game and added the possession arrow, with high schools quickly following suit. The reasoning is that the jump ball gives taller and more athletic players a clear advantage, while the arrow alternates possessions between the teams. Now smaller players had no issue tying up bigger players with the arrow determining possession and not stature. There was also a bit of gamesmanship going on during the tip itself. Teams would try to sneak in taller players to the circle, coaches complained about the referee's toss and there would be a lot of posturing of players waiting to receive the tip.

Well, that is kind of how basketball works. Taller and more athletic players have certain advantages in basketball. They tend to get more rebounds. They tend to be able to dunk and block shoots easier, too. That doesn't mean shorter player can't be successful at any of these tasks – it's just a bit more difficult. And who really cares? In jump ball situations, just because the taller player can win the tip easier, it doesn't mean his team controls the ball.

Supporters of the arrow point to the fact that it plainly moves the game along. Well, why doesn't hockey or lacrosse use it instead of faceoffs? Why doesn't soccer do it? How about using the possession arrow when two football players are fighting for the ball under a pile? Instead of a bang-bang play in baseball, let's just alternate between safe and out or balls and strikes on close pitches.

When it was first put in place, this was a continuously discussed topic. In the 36 years since it has been implemented, the possession arrow is an accepted part of the game that no longer warrants debate. It does its job, and instead of getting together for a jump ball several times a game, we just alternate possession between the teams whenever possession is in doubt. Sure, it kind of evens out, but not all jump ball situations are alike. When they happen during a game and who is involved with the held ball can play a huge role in determining the outcome.

Someone like me doesn't like it that much. It penalizes the defensive team that may make a play but can't be rewarded for it. It also affects late-game situations where a team that is leading can get in a tie-up, gain possession just by the luck of where the arrow is pointing and help determine a game's outcome.

Right when the rule was put in place in 1981, when Rutgers upset UCLA, Rutgers had possession of the ball with the lead late. A UCLA defender tied up the Rutgers' ball handler but the arrow pointed to Rutgers, and the Scarlet Knights kept possession and would win the game. With a jump ball, UCLA would have had a chance to make a play to gain possession instead of having the arrow just happen to be pointing away from the Bruins.

Personally, I think the college refs are more quick to call a held ball than their counterparts in the NBA. Note the 2013 Final Four when the referee ruled that Louisville tied up Wichita State late and was awarded the ball with a three-point lead. Replays show the defender grabbed his arm and didn't technically clamp down on the ball, yet the ref's quick whistle helped determine the game's outcome. That call essentially allowed the Cardinals to seal the win, and Wichita State had no opportunity to make a play. While the rule is supposed to be "fair," it doesn't always work without issues.

Watch the controversial jump ball happen and how it affected the outcome of the game: