So I, like many others on here, thought the rule was clear cut: no touching the rim while the ball is over the rim. HOWEVER, I don't think thats the rule. Here is the rule from the 2021-2022 NCAA Rulebook:
Section 15. Basket Interference and Goaltending
Art. 1. It is a violation to commit basket interference or goaltending.
Art. 2. Basket interference.
a. Basket interference occurs when a player:
1. Touches the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on or within the basket. If the touching of the basket involves contact with the net only, the official must determine if the touching had any effect on the ball which would rise to the level of basket interference;
2. Touches the ball while any part of it is within the cylinder that has the ring as its lower base;
3. Reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball before it enters the cylinder;
4. Pulls down a movable ring so that it contacts the ball before the ring returns to its original position; and
5. Causes the basket or backboard to vibrate when the ball is on or within the basket or the backboard and/or is on or in the cylinder.
b. The cylinder is the imaginary geometric figure that has the ring as its base and is formed by the upward extension of that ring.
c. The ball shall be considered to be within the basket when any part of the ball is below the cylinder and the level of the ring.
d. A player may have a hand legally in contact with the ball, when this contact continues after the ball enters the cylinder or when, during such action, the player touches or grabs the basket.
So I think the question is whether the player touched the rim while the ball was on the rim, or caused the rim to vibrate. The ball was not on the rim when he touched it. Arguably he made the rim vibrate, but if we're being honest with ourselves, he didn't affect the shot at all.
