When and why did the NCAA decide not to have a jump-ball for a jump-ball? They start a game with one so it’s not beyond the referee’s expertise, so what’s the reason? Did they decide a jump-ball makes too much sense?
Takes too much time, interrupting the flow of the game I’d guess. The NBA still has jump balls.
The referee initiating a jump ball in basketball is much different than, for instance, a referee dropping the puck in hockey.
The hockey players have an almost equal advantage at taking control of the face-off and have to abide by certain rules. If the hockey referee decides that a player is not abiding by the rules he can dismiss him from the face-off and force another player to take it.
In basketball, the ball has to be thrown straight up which isn’t as easy as it seems. It has to be thrown at a height that doesn’t give either player an advantage. Even so, a team with a player that is much taller or has greater vertical jump has a huge advantage. For instance, a short player that ties up a tall player to force a jump ball has accomplished very little. The team with the tall guy will probably gain possession anyway if there is a jump ball.
Therefore, to try to equalize the situation, college ball went to the possession arrow. While it doesn’t seem fair at times, the possession arrow is probably more fair in the long run than the jump ball.
The rule change took place in 1981.
And why exactly wouldn’t an actual jump ball even out in the long run? Besides, how many times does the center tie up the point guard? It’s usually players of simular positions that get involved in jump ball situations.
If I’m on defense and I make a play on the ball to cause a jump ball, I should have an actual chance to get possession based on my good play. Not just a glimpse over my shoulder to see if it’s my team’s turn to get it.
A few years ago they tried a rule where the defense would get the ball in a jump ball situation if the jump ball was caused by a good defensive play, regardless of the possession arrow. It was a failure because there was too much leeway in what a “good defensive play” was.
High school also uses alternating posession (at least in California). It’s simply simpler and much faster.
Using this system, that good defensive play you just did has the same chance as does a similar play on the other end does of affecting posession.
On a side note, I learned recently that, in the NBA, if a jump ball hits the ground without a player touching it, the toss-up is re-done. Rule 6, Section VII.b, bizarre.
The method to determine possession after any event (such as being tied up) which puts the possession of the ball in even dispute went to alternating resolution primarily to avoid the inherent advantage one would have in this situation when taller on average than an opposing team. In short, it simply more fair to do it this way than it is to have a taller team able to dominate jump balls.
It’s also a faster resolution.
Also you had the problem of players jumping and boxing out and such before the ref was ready, causing numerous rejumps and the like. Also I have seen a couple of refs who couldn’t throw the ball for a jump ball properly, right in the middle. And as said previously, taller players probably play a role in the difficulty of executing a proper jump ball.
I prefer the method used by Australian Rules footy. Bounce the ball hard. I’ve used that to restart all sorts of games and the kids love it. 
Does the shot clock reset in the NBA on a jump ball, regardless of who wins the tap? I suppose I could look it up, but that would necessitate caring enough about the NBA to do so (joke; don’t send Gilbert Arenas to kill me just yet…).
It doesn’t reset on the alternating possession in the NCAA (except, perhaps by a few seconds if the clock is near zero?) if the team on the clock has the possession arrow.
The possession arrow. How does it change? When does it change?
Well, it’s an “alternating” possession, so with each jump ball the right of possession changes to the other team. However, the inbound at the start of the second half is also based on the possession arrow, so it also flips at the start of the second half.
Ok, so it has nothing to do with actual ball possession? At any time? In theory it could never change, as it only changes if there is a jump ball?
It will change at least once, when the team that lost the jump ball to start the game is awarded the ball to start the second half.