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The NIT isn't just the postseason. It's the NCAA's laboratory for new rules. And some of the rules in this year's tournament, and therefore governing Utah's game Tuesday night, were a little abstract.

One experimental guideline divides the game into quarters … almost. The tournament has four 10-minute segments, and each team has four fouls in that segment. But the clock doesn't stop: While Utah and Boise State continued to play, the foul count reset for both teams at 9:59 in each half.

If having the odd facsimile of quarters without having actually having actual quarters seems a little confusing to the layman, it's also a little confusing to the experts.

Salt Lake-based statistician Ken Pomeroy said he's in favor of college basketball switching to quarters, as in high school basketball and the NBA. The breaks naturally correspond to television and the commercial elements of the game.

"You might as well have a quarter break at that point for administrative purposes," he said. "There's a lot of reasons it makes sense, but it's so silly that they have to reset the foul count while play is going on. It's bizarre."

Another rule change included a play clock change to 20 seconds on defensive fouls when inbounding out of the front court.

Idaho connections

A key decision seven years ago put Larry Krystkowiak on the home bench in Tuesday night's game instead of on the visiting one.

Among the links between Utah and Boise State is that Utah's head coach once applied for the Broncos opening back in 2010, according to the Idaho Statesman. Leon Rice, who still coaches BSU, got the job and has since notched four straight 20-win seasons.

Krystkowiak also once coached the Idaho Stampede, then in the CBA, for a season before going to coach at Montana. Utah assistant Tommy Connor attended Borah High school in Boise.

Briefly

Utah's ski team was honored at halftime Tuesday night for winning the program's 12th team national championship over the weekend. Donor and former skiing All-American Spence Eccles, who is the title donor for the new ski team facility, was present to celebrate the title. … Former All-American and ex-Utes athletics director Arnie Ferrin came to watch the game with his family. Ferrin was a standout on the 1947 Utes team that won the NIT in a championship game against Kentucky.

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegon