College basketball is one of the most popular sports in the country and its scoring system is a source of confusion for many. While understanding the scoring system may seem difficult, it can be quite simple once you know what to look for. Let's take a look at how scoring works in college basketball so that you can be an expert when watching your next game.
Basic Scoring System
In college basketball, teams score points by shooting baskets from different areas on the court. A basket made from behind the three-point line (the arc on each side of the court) is worth three points, while a basket made from anywhere else is worth two points.
Free throws are also awarded if fouls are committed by one team against another; these shots are taken from behind a line fifteen feet away from the hoop and are worth one point each. The team with the most total points at the end of regulation time wins.
Overtime Scenarios
If both teams have an equal number of points at the end of regulation time, an overtime period is initiated. During this period, teams will play until one team has more points than their opponent or until a predetermined number of overtime periods have been played.
Overtime periods typically last five minutes each, but this can vary depending on league rules. In some cases, multiple overtime may be necessary to determine which team has won.
Fouls and Penalties
Fouls occur when one player makes contact with another player with excessive force or after committing a violation such as traveling with the ball or carrying it across half-court without dribbling it first. Fouls result in free throws being awarded to the opposing team; depending on how serious they are, players may also be removed from play for an entire game or multiple games due to fouls.
Additionally, teams may receive penalties for certain violations such as having too many players on the court at once or using inappropriate language during play; these penalties usually involve loss of possession and/or forfeiture of points scored up to that point in playtime. These are usually the throws granted when a player makes a foul.
Free Throws
When an offensive player is fouled by a defender while shooting, they will get one free throw attempt from 15 feet away from the basket. This shot counts as one point and can be made without any interference from opponents. If more than one free throw attempt is awarded (due to more severe fouls), each additional free throw will also count as one point if made.
Bonus Free Throws
If an opponent commits five fouls in one half of play (or seven fouls in a full game), the team that was fouled will be awarded bonus free throws for every subsequent foul committed until there are ten minutes left in regulation time (in which case both teams will receive bonus free throws). Bonus free throws are worth one point each if made, just like regular free throws.
Three Point Plays
If a player makes a field goal after being fouled by an opponent, they will have an opportunity to complete what’s known as “the three-point play”. The shooter must make their original field goal first; then they must make their bonus free throw afterward to complete the three-point play and earn an additional point for their team (the total points earned being four).
Conclusion
By understanding how scoring works in college basketball and familiarizing yourself with basic rules and regulations, you'll be able to watch games with confidence—and enjoy them even more! Knowing how overtime works, what constitutes a foul, and what penalties exist can help you better understand why certain plays unfold as they do during any given game—which will help make watching college basketball even more enjoyable! And if you're a fan of college basketball and looking to make some bets, be sure to check out FanDuel March Madness for all the latest odds and betting options.
