ArrayList to Int[][] Help

Well, I do not think you necessarily have to be....is there a way to do something like IllegalArgumentException()? Or call something like that without it being after the parameter of the method?

something like IllegalArgumentException

Your best resource for that is to read the API doc and see what classes are available.
http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E17409_01/javase/6/docs/api/

or go here and read up on exceptions:
http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/essential/TOC.html

Ok will do

In case anyone else refers back to this post for any information.

The correct way to fix my scenario and call the exception was..

throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid Matrix Size");