NCAA Tournament overtime rules: Here's how OT works in March Madness
NCAA Tournament overtime rules: Here's how OT works in March Madness
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1 seeds Florida & Duke prep for Elite 8 against Texas Tech & Alabama
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down Elite 8 matchups, as No. 1 Florida will take on No. 3 Texas Tech and No. 1 Duke will verse No. 2 Alabama.
Sports Seriously
Sometimes, particularly in the high-pressure crucible of the NCAA basketball tournament, 40 minutes isn't enough time to declare a winner.
The madness of March is defined by closely contested games that come down to the final seconds, some of which have to stretch beyond regulation.
Think of some of the most iconic moments in tournament history. Christian Laettner's famous buzzer-beater from the free throw line to defeat Kentucky in 1992? That came in overtime. So did Arike Ogunbowale's jumper to beat UConn in the Final Four of the 2018 women's tournament. Mario Chalmers' high-arcing 3-pointer to tie Memphis in the final seconds of the 2008 national championship game? It forced overtime.
REQUIRED READING: March Madness games today: Analyzing Friday's Sweet 16 men's NCAA Tournament matchups
For all the thrills it provides, overtime can require some explanation to fans, especially for the millions of viewers who tune into the sport for the first time all season in March. On Thursday night, the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament had its first overtime game, with Texas Tech completing a thrilling comeback victory against Arkansas in the Sweet 16.
Here's a look at how overtime is handled in the NCAA Tournament for both the men's and women's sides.
REQUIRED READING: Sweet 16 loaded with storybook talent from past Cinderellas. But where were the upsets?
NCAA Tournament overtime rules
The overtime rules in men's and women's college basketball are the same in the NCAA Tournament as they are during the regular season.
If two teams are tied at the end of regulation, the game moves into a five-minute overtime period. The teams don't change baskets during that time, remaining on the hoop they were attacking in the second half.
The teams play until a period ends with one of the teams winning. Each of the extra periods is five minutes long, with a one-minute break between them.
There is no limit to the number of overtime periods that can be played. It doesn't emulate soccer, for example, and have a free-throw contest if a winner isn't determined after the first two overtime periods.
Overtime rules are the same in the men's and women's game, though it follows the second half for the men and the fourth quarter for the women.
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