INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA on Friday approved moving the men’s 3-point line back 1 foot in 2008 – from 19 feet, 9 inches to 20 feet, 9 inches.

The decision by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel marks the first major alteration to the 3-point shot since its adoption in 1986-87.

The men’s basketball rules committee recommended the measure May 3.

“In recent years, the rules committee has conducted a great deal of research and held many discussions regarding the court markings,” said Rob Halvaks, chairman of the panel and senior associate commissioner of the Big West Conference. “The panel supports this action and hopes it has the committee’s intended effect on the game.”

The move comes after more than a decade of debate about whether to extend the line. The extended line has been used on an experimental basis in some early season tournaments and has shown no dramatic change in shooting percentages, but it never previously had passed the rules committee for all regular-season and postseason games.

The 3-point line will remain unchanged in women’s basketball.

The new men’s rule is for all three college divisions.

The panel sent back to the men’s committee for study a proposal to allow a manufacturer’s logo on either the game jersey or the game pants. The current rule, which allows a single manufacturer’s logo on the game pants, will be maintained for the 2007-08 season.