College and NBA Basketball’s Biggest Rule Differences

Although the game is essentially the same, college basketball does have some differences compared to the NBA. We’ve broken down what you should expect to see when switching between the different high-level basketball versions. 

Quarter Lengths

You won’t know how many quarters are in NCAA games because it uses halves instead. In a regulation NCAA game, there are two 20-minute halves. The NBA has four 12-minute quarters for its games. As a result, a college player will get 40 minutes of game time, compared to 48 minutes for an NBA player. 

Both codes have five minutes for overtime, giving the players the same amount of extra time. 

Shot Clock Length

In an NCAA game, players have 30 seconds to make their shot. If they hit the rim, the clock resets to 20 seconds. There’s no limit to how many times the clock can reset so that multiple chances can hit the rim, all resetting the clock. 

Time is more limited in the NBA because the players are at a higher level. Instead of 30 seconds, players get 24 seconds to make their shot. If it hits the rim, it resets to 14 seconds. 

Jump Balls

Teams that lose the initial jump ball get possession when the next jump ball occurs in the NCAA. In the NBA, possessions work across quarters. Whichever team wins the jump ball will retain it in the first and third periods. The losing team gets possessions in the second and fourth quarters. However, all jumps are contested with actual jumps. 

Players Being Thrown Out

In the NCAA, players are allowed five fouls before they get kicked out of the game. This is counted as a combination of technical and personal fouls. In the NBA, players are allowed six fouls. However, it must either be five personal fouls and a technical foul or six personal fouls. It must be in these combinations because players get ejected if they make two technical fouls. 

Free Throws

Teams get two free throws and keep the ball after a technical foul in the NCAA. There’s also a free throw after seven team fouls per quarter and two free throws for ten fouls. The three-point line is 22 feet and 1.75 inches away from the net in the middle. 

In the NBA, teams only get one free throw after a technical foul. There are also two free throws for every four team fouls per quarter. The three-point line is 23 feet and 9 inches from the net. 

Making NCAA and NBA Predictions

If you want to track the NCAA and NBA, Sportzino is at the top of the pile. It features every game for both codes across the whole season and post-season. There are also live predictions, so you can follow every game as it’s taking place. 

Sportzino provides a fantastic range of bonuses, ensuring you can make sports predictions for free. It’s the premier social sportsbook on the market, perfect for all NBA and NCAA fans. If you want to play for free, create an account today.