IMHO, these changes will really help fast teams like us.
Disagree.
The 30 second shot clock, in theory, will speed the game up. I've always said that I think it's harder to speed a slow tempo team up than it is to slow a fast tempo team down. So by that logic, on the surface, this change looks to benefit us. But looking closer, UNC has beaten teams in the past with their tempo. It's been an advantage for us. Not only on the court, but in the living rooms of recruits. When more teams are playing at a faster tempo which will be a natural progression, our advantage on the court diminishes and our advantage in recruits' living rooms decreases as well with other programs offering a similar style.
As far as the 5 second close guarded rule, I'm not sure whether that benefits us or not, but I hate the change. Absolutely hate it. Where's the incentive now to pressure? Teams will sag on the perimeter and force more jumpshots. If that rule was instituted in the last couple years, it would have hurt us. Moving forward, I'm hoping we're able to secure better shooters. But I'm not banking on that. Roy prefers highly athletic guys to get up and down the court over the skilled shooter...or at least it's looked that way recently.
Timeout reductions - good for us. Levels the playing field because our coaches don't call them. But that isn't the only change for timeouts. Coaches can't call them when the ball is in play. That's a little scary. It will put a premium on guys knowing what they are supposed to be doing, recognizing when something has broken down and leadership. Teams will have to have guys that feel comfortable with making that call themselves versus the coach always making that call.
Penalties for those faking fouls - total BS. Just another subjective call for refs to get wrong more than right.
Dunking in warm-ups? Uhhh, who cares?