At this time of year, figuring out how long a college basketball game lasts is essential—otherwise, how will you know when to order dinner or take a stroll to boost that step count that’s probably embarrassingly low?
How Long Do College Basketball Games Last?
The short answer: 40 minutes. A men’s Division I college basketball game consists of two 20-minute halves.
The long answer: Well, longer. Last season, the halftime break was extended from 15 to 20 minutes due to the heightened attention and revenue opportunities surrounding these games. With the stakes higher, tournament games often see more fouls.
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Fouls, of course, stop the play and the clock. It might seem minor, but they accumulate over the game. Each foul brings teams closer to mandatory free throws, which can extend the game’s duration.
All in all, expect to commit 2 to 2.5 hours from start to finish, keeping in mind that each game flows differently—blowouts wrap up quicker, while tight contests can drag out the final minutes.
Are College Basketball Games Shorter Than the NBA?
In terms of “basketball minutes,” yes. A standard college game has 40 minutes of play, which is eight fewer than the NBA’s four 12-minute quarters.
When it comes to “clock minutes,” your time investment remains around 2 to 2.5 hours regardless of the league. While governing bodies have made tweaks to slightly speed up the game (like not resetting the shot clock fully after an offensive rebound), there aren’t significant complaints about the time commitment compared to something like Major League Baseball.
How Many Quarters Are There in College Basketball Games?
The women’s game has shifted from halves to quarters (still totaling 40 minutes, just divided differently), but the men’s game sticks with the two-halves format.
This follows the original rules penned by Dr. James Naismith, and there hasn’t been a compelling push to switch to quarters for men’s basketball.
Some argue that the additional stoppages between quarters disrupt the game’s momentum. The women’s game moved to quarters before the 2015-16 season, but discussions about adopting this format for men’s basketball haven’t gained enough traction to be likely anytime soon.
How Long Is Overtime in College Basketball?
Much like the NBA, men’s college basketball features a five-minute overtime period if the score is tied after regulation. Each team receives an extra timeout, if they have any remaining. The team with the most points after overtime wins the game.
If the score remains tied, another five minutes are added. Only four NCAA games have ever gone into a sixth overtime, with Cincinnati vs. Bradley reaching a seventh extra session in 1981—the only game of its kind on record. This highlights just how evenly matched some teams can be.
A marathon game like that during the Tournament can throw the entire day off schedule, as venues host multiple games. The next game won’t start until players have the same warm-up time as everyone else.
Just like your favorite movie, the game’s length often goes unnoticed if the action on the court is captivating. After all, this time of year is aptly named “March Madness” for a reason!
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