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If you’re a college basketball fan, you’ll notice the difference in game length between the NCAA and the NBA. We’ve deeply explored the reasoning behind the change and whether it makes a difference to your predictions.
Why Halves and Not Quarters?
The reasoning behind using halves goes back to 1891 when basketball was invented. Initially, the game was two 15-minute halves. The thinking was to ensure the game was end-to-end and delivered a lot of excitement. However, it soon became apparent that it wasn’t enough time to deliver a high-scoring game.
Anyone wondering how many quarters are in NCAA basketball would have to go back in time to find the answer. The NCAA moved to 20-minute halves in 1905 but briefly shifted to quarters like the NBA in 1951. However, it didn’t work for the college game, and by 1954, it was back to two halves for NCAA basketball.
The original belief was that halves make for a more competitive game, and the NCAA abides by that reckoning to this day.
Why is it More Competitive?
The main driving force behind competitiveness is the fewer stoppages. As a result, the game is based more on what the players can do. In the NBA, the extra stoppages allow coaches to impact the game more. In the NCAA, fewer stoppages mean players must work to impact the game.
It makes for a game that goes from end to end more often. The underdog has a much bigger chance of winning, with March Madness providing more upsets than the NBA as proof. It’s allowed the NCAA to become one of the biggest sports leagues in the world, even competing with professional events in some markets.
Do Halves Change Other Rules?
The main change that using halves brings is how fouls are implemented. Instead of getting five fouls per quarter before free throws, there are seven per half. However, after the seven fouls, each subsequent foul provides another free throw.
It also adds a double bonus after ten fouls. After the team makes ten fouls, every subsequent one awards two free throws. This rule prevents teams from trying to derail the opposition with persistent fouling and ensures a more free-flowing game with exciting basketball.
Does it Impact Basketball Predictions?
Simply put, the change will impact your basketball predictions. The most obvious change comes through the over/under markets. Instead of making picks on the stats from each quarter, you make them for each half. It changes how you research the data to find the most likely outcomes. A half is 20 minutes instead of a 15-minute quarter. Those extra five minutes can lead to more points and scoring chances, which affects your prediction.
Searching for the best social sportsbook will improve your predictions. A site like Sportzino provides the best odds, so successful predictions offer better returns. With multiple markets, many bonuses, and the chance to play for free, Sportzino is the premier destination for sports predictions.
