I love basketball, especially this time of year during “March Madness.”

But I have seen some things that have changed over the past few years that I think need to be changed or to go back to the original rules.

The first one is the “Euro-step.” That is mostly seen in college and in the professional ranks. In years past, this would have been whistled as a walking violation. Players pick up their dribble and basically walk to the basket to make the shot.

I recall the rule growing up—and it continued through the years—that you were allowed a step-and-a-half on a layup. Maybe the referee would give you two steps if it were quick. However, now you can see players in college or the pros take three or even four steps on a drive to the basket.

This is totally ridiculous. They might allow it in European hoops, but this is United States basketball and where the game was invented.

The second thing that annoys me is players giving a handshake or slapping five after every foul shot. Even if they miss it. They slap their teammates’ hands along the foul line and the players behind the top of the key who are back for defensive purposes.

This was never a thing in the past. I do not know when it started, but you see it all the time these days. I can see maybe if a player hits the go-ahead free throw to win the game, but not on every trip to the foul line from the start of the game to the finish.

It is a waste of time and needs to be banned.

Other than men’s college basketball, the game is played with four quarters. However, in college they still play 20-minute halves. I think it is time they went to four 10-minute quarters.

The women’s game in college has already made the change. From Buddy League and high school to the pros, basketball is played with four quarters. Except for the men’s college game.

It is time they made the change.

I know I am old school, but I liked it when players called for a personal foul had to raise their hands. This helped the scorekeepers, officials, broadcasters and fans.

The officials are still in charge, but I think the old rule was solid and better for the game. I doubt this will ever come back, but if I were in charge of the basketball rules, I would bring it back.

I think “hand-checking” by a defensive player is OK as long as the defender does not shove or push the offensive players. It seems like this is an inconsistent rule. I see some referees call it close and not allow the hand-checking, while others let it go and allow some contact.

The game can be a little physical as long as it does not get out of hand or too rough.

Another thing that annoys both my wife, Vicki, and me is the four play-in games of the NCAA Tournament. The committee should be able to determine which teams deserve to be in the big dance based on their regular-season performance and their conference tournament results. And to make matters even more confusing, these play-in games are seeded as a No. 11! If a team has to play a game to see if they can even get into the tournament, should they not at least be seeded as the 16th seed?

The next thing I am going to talk about from my soapbox is the NIL in college sports. The Name, Image and Likeness is OK to a certain extent. But it is getting out of hand, with some of the bigger schools with richer donors spending more on recruiting or building their rosters through transfers. Players deserve some compensation, but it is getting out of hand when some big-time players become millionaires.

If a player who was not recruited by a larger program, maybe by a mid-major or even a DII school, plays well and shows improvement, they are approached and pillaged by a larger university. It is legal, but not really fair to the smaller schools.

Do not look now, but this is even starting to filter down into the high school ranks. If something is not done, you will see more illegal recruiting in high school sports.

And finally, this is for the state of West Virginia. Go back to just three classifications. The state does not have enough schools or population to support four classes these days.

Consolidation has reduced the number of schools over the years, and population loss and homeschooling have cut enrollment.

The state is just not big enough to support four classes. Teams are making the first round that do not deserve to be there. They would not be with the old sectional and regional tournament format, and by just having three classifications.

Until next time.

(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)