Covering The Spread In The Last Minute Of College Basketball Is Much More Unpredictable Than The NBA

I've often heard & read comments regarding how the end result of the spread in NBA games many times come down to meaningless free throws.

However, nobody seems to ever mention this about College Basketball, which is much worse in my opinion.

I can say that in the NBA most players at least know when the deficit is enough in which intentionally fouling isn't necessary any longer and allow the other team to dribble out the clock.

But in College Basketball many times these kids will continue to foul the opponent no matter how many points they are down.

Of course in the end, this could help you as much as it hurts you when covering a spread is on the line.

But, I don't have to tell you guys who have experienced it how annoying and aggravating it is to watch a team full of kids who are down by double digits continue to foul with only 10-20 seconds left vs NBA players who know when to wave the white flag...

I agree with you there.

Went 9-3 in the college hoops forum yesterday.

One game I thought was an easy cover as VCU was up 20 with like 5 minutes left. They missed damn near EVERY free throw down the stretch and the other team hit their desperation shots. Lost that one by 2.

Other game was UC Riverside and they blew a huge lead in the last few minutes and the game went to overtime. They were up by 9 in overtime and the lead shrunk to 4 with like 10 seconds left. Cal Irvine hit a long 3 with 1 second left (that didn't matter as they were down by 4) and I lost that bet.

Other game was Kansas and they were up 14 with the ball. A turnover led to a bucket and then with like 30 seconds left they had an easy 2-1 on fast break and the Kansas player tried to get cute and go behind his back and traveled. Texas got the ball back and missed a shot with them losing by 12. The got the offensive rebound and then Kansas had a horseshit foul with 7 seconds left that put Texas at the line. Of course Texas knocks down both of them and we miss the cover by 2 points.


Not crying about it as it was still a nice day. I am sure there have plenty of time when it went the other way for me and gave me a winner. It's just so weird how drastically the score can change in the last 2-3 minutes even with what looks like an easy cover.

Teenagers + FREE Throws = Frustration

Akillies said:

Teenagers + FREE Throws = Frustration

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Yes agreed.... And teenagers continuing to foul over & over again with less than a minute left and down by 15-20.

You would think at some point the coaches would step in and tell his guys there's no reason to fould anymore but it always continues...

they are practicing for when they are only down by 2.

Pros + FREE Throws = Frustration