when is a ball officially a made basket? Saw a play in a college game last nite where the ball appeared to go through the cylinder on a slam but poped back out. Thanks in advance

To count, the ball has to pass completely through the bottom of the net. In the unlikely case that the ball gets caught in the basket and remains in it, then it would also count.

application of the rule
 

Earlier this year in a Pistons game, Rip Hamilton had a breakaway and dunked the ball. On its way through the net (and the ball had completely passed through the rim but not the net), the ball bounced off of Rip's head and back out through the hoop. Ref's call: no basket.