[Back In The Saddle]

NCAA is the same (3-1.1) "At the start of the game, each team shall consist of five players, one of whom shall be the captain."

Just to add a bit of a twist to this discussion...

Team A has only four healthy players. But for whatever reason they decide to play the game. So they submit their lineup before the 10 minute mark with the four healthy players and one unhealthy one. Their plan is to start the game, then withdraw the fifth player due to his existing illness or injury.

If you know this is their plan, do you allow them to proceed and "skirt the rules"? If, by the second half, the withdrawn player feels well enough to play, do you allow him to play?

Also, what if Team A arrives with only five players, all of whom is healthy. But after the 10 minute mark, one is injured. Do you allow them to start with fewer than five since they had five on the lineup at the 10 minute mark and it is permissible to change a starter due to "necessitated by illness, injury, illegal equipment or apparel, etc., or to attempt a technical-foul free throw"