Overtime or OT in NCAA college basketball means you’re witnessing a great game that likely resulted in the drama and suspense of late baskets, game-tying buzzer beaters, or a missed shot as regulation runs out.

It enhances the abilities of players and also provides an extra spice of the game for enthusiasts. However, how does it work? For how long does it last? But what are the exact regulations for overtime for NCAA basketball? This article answers these questions and offers further insights into overtime play.

How Long is Overtime in a College Basketball Game?

In NCAA basketball, overtime periods refer to a set duration of play which is usually played to a conclusion in case there is a tie at the end of the regular time.

In NCAA college basketball, overtime is five minutes long. And each subsequent overtime period is 5:00 minutes in duration until one team outscores their opponent. It is 5 minutes for both Men’s and Women’s basketball.

This duration is the same in the NBA where overtime also has a five-minute duration.

These five minutes are very crucial as both teams try to defeat the other and score as many points as possible. What the game clock does not show, however, is the whole picture. Thus, time is valuable, everything is significant and the strategic value increases dramatically. In case the score is still tied after an overtime, another overtime is played with no set number of overtime that can be played.

How Overtime Works in College Basketball

Overtime in college basketball is relatively straightforward:

• Jump Ball: When the period begins, there is another jump ball at the center of the court as is the case at the start of the game. The team that gets the ball after the jump starts with the first possession of the ball.
• Game Flow: The game is played following the rules of regulation time. The shot clock remains at thirty seconds and the games continue until the last five minutes of the game or until the score is tied again, this will result in another round of overtime.
• Timeouts: During each overtime period each team will receive one extra timeout. All the unused timeouts from regulation are also rolled over providing teams with a rather valuable chance to think during the most dramatic moments of the game.

NCAA Basketball Overtime Rules

The NCAA has specific rules that govern overtime in college basketball:

• Possession Arrow: The possession arrow is then utilized for the subsequent tie-ups after the first jump ball. This rule also helps to make sure that both teams are given equal chances, especially at the end of overtime.
• Team Fouls: Fouls committed during the regulation must also be considered in the overtime. Free throws for non-shooting fouls are still taken by teams even after the other team has committed seven fouls that will give the shooter one free throw otherwise if the other team has committed ten fouls the shooter gets two shots.
• Player Fouls: Each player’s Fouls also remain and can be realized at any time during the championship. They are also removed from the game once they have committed five fouls and this is a big blow to the team’s game plan especially in overtime.

Strategic Considerations in Overtime

Overtime periods are very challenging where teams have to learn to change their strategies within a short time. Coaches have to deal with the exhaustion of the players and the fouls that occur in every game and make decisions that can define the final result of the game. Since there are only five minutes left on the clock, each team’s turnover is important and the teams must use their time wisely. Some might reduce the rate at which points are given in a bid to regulate the rate of scoring while others will increase the rate of scoring to gain the early lead.

It is therefore very important for fans and players to know these dynamics and even those who are involved in betting for the game. Overtime games can help change the outcome of one’s point spreads, over/under totals and money line bets. Looking for NCAA odds BETUS and others that entail potential overtime will allow bettors to include these uncertainties in their betting strategies.

Memorable NCAA Overtime Games

Two of the most famous college basketball games with the most overtimes are the 1981 Cincinnati vs. Bradley game and the 2009 Syracuse vs. UConn game.

The Cincinnati-Bradley game on December 21, 1981, holds the record for the most overtimes in a Division I men’s basketball game with seven overtimes. Bradley eventually won 75-73 in a low-scoring but grueling battle that took over four hours to complete. Crazy to think that a full college basketball game went an additional seven periods and neither team broke 80 points.

The Syracuse-UConn game, played during the 2009 Big East Tournament on March 12, 2009, went to six overtimes and is widely regarded as one of the most thrilling college basketball games in history. Syracuse eventually triumphed 127-117 in a game that showcased high-intensity play, clutch performances, and endless drama.

Then there is the 2008 National Championship that pitted the University of Kansas against the University of Memphis. In the last seconds of the game, Memphis missed crucial free throws and then Kansas Mario Chalmers made a three-point shot to equalize the score and go into overtime.

Kansas managed to edge out the University of Missouri with a score of 75-68 and this game is still to this date cited as one of the best climaxes of an NCAA game.

The Role of Overtime in Tournament Play

Overtime is crucial more so during the NCAA Tournament since it is an elimination-style tournament and any game could be the team’s last. This makes the competition even more exciting as there is no room for mistakes since it is a single elimination round. The teams that are ready for overtime are at a vantage since they do not get easily pressured and can perform well under the five-minute overtime period.

Impact on Players and Their Legacies

It is a fact that the way a player performs in extra time can greatly add value to his reputation. These moments are quite memorable and often make the headlines even after the game has come to an end, hence helping build an image of a player as a strong and composed athlete. Such players are considered valuable because of their ability to deliver outstanding performances during overtime and it is often in such situations that the difference between the average and exceptional player is keenly observed.

The overtime in NCAA basketball is not the extended minutes of regulation time but the time when the real title contenders come out on the floor in terms of endurance, strategy and courage. It is a real nail-biting experience as the five-minute periods produce some of the most beautiful moments in the game for the players and their supporters. The rules and the way overtime is played are something that everyone who watches college basketball should know and understand regardless of whether they are really a fan, player, coach or a bettor. As for the overtime, the concept has become an important part of the game which provides some unforgettable moments and defines the majority of games.