The free throw is the dullest part of basketball. The fluidity of college hoops comes to a screeching halt, and we're forced to witness an individual testing his muscle memory, mano-a-mano, with an inanimate opponent. It's like watching someone take the SAT.

The three-point shot, on the other hand, is one of the most thrilling parts of the game. I'd like to toss out an idea: how about using the three-point rule to make games more exciting, start to finish?

Before we get to the solution, here's the problem: This season, refs have been given but one mandate: to call a tighter game and clean up the rugby matches we've seen too much of the last few years. Of course, calling a closer game means more fouls. And more fouls means more boring free throws.

In November, I saw Kansas outgun UCLA 99-98. "Are you going to tell me you didn't like this more than 19-17 at halftime?" asked Kansas coach Roy Williams (referring to that ugly Wisconsin-Michigan State Final Four semifinal). I did indeed, Roy. Particularly the first half, after which the Jayhawks led 57-51. But save for a short-lived comeback by the Bruins, the second half was spent at the foul line. The two teams racked up 48 fouls and went to the stripe 64 times in the contest. Hardly entertaining.

So I say swallow the whistle, go back to calling the game like it was before and -- here's the kicker -- move the three-point line from the ridiculously close 19'9" to NBA distance (23'9" straightaway, 22" along the sides). This would accomplish three things: it would place a true value on the trey; it would put a higher premium on outside shooters like Stanford's Casey Jacobsen; and it would force defenses to spread the court and open up the game. Great position defenses would be rewarded for their floor coverage. Conversely, extending defenses would open up the lane.

Some say the easier three has made games more exciting. But how much more exciting would it be to see wide-open affairs -- where defenses are so extended that slashers are free to get in the lane and big men have more room to maneuver? Extending the three-point distance would keep the game where it belongs: in motion and off the charity stripe.

John Gustafson writes college hoop for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at john.gustafson@espnmag.com.