In the 2001 NCAA rule book, the rules committee is suggesting that there be at least 10' of space between the sides of the court and the spectators. This is for all new gyms being built. The min requirment remains to be 3'.

Any thoughts on why the extra space on the side and not on the ends?

Two thoughts...1)the C and T need to have room to work off the court (not standing inbounds) and that's tough to do with only 3 feet of space...2)Moves the coaches and fans farther away from the actual playing surface...if a coach wants to say something to an official, more people will hear it and know why the T is being given...actually a third thought - most loose ball/dive for the ball situations take place on the sidelines, and how many times have you seen players have to jump over tables, chairs, sitting people, etc. to keep from being injured...

chairs
 

hoopsrefBC
10' would be awesome! Then the teams could get two more rows of folding chairs up against the sideline, and a sideline throw-in would still hafta be at midcourt.
No idea about your question, though.
mick

The Air Force academy has that kind of spacing around the floor. It is an awesome place to work. I wish more gyms had it.

So does Vanderbilt and either Purdue or Iowa. I can remember which. I bet mick knows.

I think that its Purdue, where the seats are at a lowere level then the playing court.
SH