College Basketball Season: Total Games Played?

Hey guys! Ever wondered just how many games college basketball teams play in a season? It's a pretty common question, especially with March Madness being such a huge deal. Let's break it down and get you all clued in on the typical number of games, what affects the schedule, and more!

Typical Number of Games in a College Basketball Season

So, how many games are we talking about here? Generally, a college basketball team plays around 30 to 35 games in a regular season. This number can fluctuate slightly depending on a few different factors, but that’s the ballpark figure you should keep in mind. To really understand why it's this number, we need to consider the structure of the season.

The college basketball season usually tips off in early November and runs through mid-March. This four-and-a-half-month period is packed with games, practices, and travel. Most conferences have a set number of conference games that each team must play. For example, in a conference like the Big Ten or the ACC, teams might play between 18 and 20 conference games. These games are crucial because they directly impact a team's chances of winning the conference title and securing a good seed in the NCAA Tournament. In addition to conference games, teams also schedule non-conference games. These games are often used to fill out the schedule, test the team against different types of opponents, and sometimes to secure lucrative matchups. For instance, a high-profile team might play a game against another top program in a neutral venue as part of a special event. The number of non-conference games can vary, but it usually falls between 10 and 15 games. Some teams also participate in tournaments during the non-conference portion of the season, which can add several games to their schedule in a short period. Tournaments like the Maui Invitational or the Battle 4 Atlantis are popular because they offer teams the chance to play multiple games against strong competition in a unique environment. Therefore, a team's schedule is a mix of conference battles and non-conference contests, carefully crafted to prepare them for the ultimate goal: the NCAA Tournament.

Conference size plays a significant role here. Larger conferences like the Big Ten or the SEC will often have teams playing more conference games than smaller conferences. These larger conferences aim to ensure that teams play each other a sufficient number of times to determine a clear conference champion. On the flip side, smaller conferences might schedule more non-conference games to provide their teams with a broader range of competitive experiences. Scheduling is a complex balancing act, considering factors like travel costs, academic calendars, and the desire to play both challenging and winnable games. This mix helps teams develop their skills, build team chemistry, and improve their national ranking. Ultimately, the goal is to create a schedule that maximizes a team's chances of success while also providing an engaging and exciting experience for fans.

Factors Affecting the Number of Games

Okay, so we know the average, but what can make a team play more or fewer games? There are several key factors that influence the final game count. Let’s dive into those!

One of the primary factors affecting the number of games is conference affiliation. Different conferences have different rules and schedules. Major conferences, like the ACC, Big Ten, or SEC, usually have more conference games due to their larger size. This means teams within these conferences will naturally play more games against their rivals. For example, the Big Ten, with its 14 teams (soon to be 18 with the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington), requires each team to play a significant number of conference games to ensure everyone gets a fair shot at the title. On the other hand, smaller conferences might have fewer conference games, allowing teams to schedule more non-conference matchups. These non-conference games can be crucial for smaller programs looking to gain national recognition or improve their RPI (Rating Percentage Index), which is used to determine NCAA Tournament selections.

Tournaments and special events also play a big role. Many teams participate in pre-season tournaments like the Maui Invitational, Battle 4 Atlantis, or the NIT Season Tip-Off. These tournaments often guarantee teams three games in a short period, adding to their overall game count. Additionally, some teams participate in special one-off events, such as the Champions Classic or the Gavitt Tip-Off Games, which pit top teams from different conferences against each other. These high-profile matchups not only provide exciting basketball but also boost a team's strength of schedule. Furthermore, postseason tournaments like the NCAA Tournament and the NIT can significantly increase the number of games a team plays. Obviously, the further a team advances in these tournaments, the more games they will play, providing valuable experience and exposure.

COVID-19 brought about unprecedented changes and disruptions to college basketball schedules. During the height of the pandemic, many games were canceled or postponed due to outbreaks within teams. This led to shortened seasons and unbalanced schedules, with some teams playing significantly fewer games than others. The NCAA had to implement special rules and considerations to account for these disruptions, including adjusting the criteria for NCAA Tournament selection. While the situation has largely normalized, the pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of sports schedules to unforeseen events and the importance of flexibility in managing these challenges. Teams and conferences learned valuable lessons about how to adapt to changing circumstances and prioritize the health and safety of players and staff.

The Importance of Scheduling

So, why does the schedule even matter? Why not just play as many games as possible? Well, strategic scheduling is super important for a team's success. Let's find out why!

First off, the strength of schedule is a critical factor in determining a team's NCAA Tournament seeding. The NCAA selection committee considers the quality of opponents a team has played when selecting and seeding teams for the tournament. A team that plays a challenging schedule with many games against highly-ranked opponents is more likely to receive a higher seed than a team that plays a weaker schedule. This is because a strong schedule demonstrates a team's ability to compete against top competition and prepares them for the rigors of tournament play. Therefore, coaches and athletic directors carefully consider the strength of schedule when making scheduling decisions, aiming to strike a balance between playing tough opponents and securing enough wins to maintain a favorable record.

Balancing conference and non-conference games is another important aspect of scheduling. Conference games are essential for determining the conference champion and securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. However, non-conference games provide opportunities to test the team against different styles of play and to improve the team's RPI. A well-balanced schedule will include a mix of both types of games, with non-conference games strategically chosen to enhance the team's overall resume. For example, a team might schedule games against teams from different conferences to gain exposure and to demonstrate their ability to compete against a variety of opponents. They might also participate in tournaments that offer the chance to play multiple games against strong competition in a short period.

The physical toll on players is also a major consideration. College basketball is a demanding sport, and playing too many games in a short period can lead to fatigue, injuries, and burnout. Coaches must carefully manage their players' workloads and ensure they have adequate rest and recovery time. This is especially important during the conference season and the NCAA Tournament when games come thick and fast. Smart scheduling can help to mitigate these risks by spacing out games and avoiding long road trips. Coaches also need to be mindful of the academic demands on their players, as they must balance their athletic commitments with their studies. Therefore, scheduling is not just about maximizing the number of games played but also about optimizing the overall well-being and performance of the team.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it! A college basketball team typically plays between 30 and 35 games in a season, but this can change based on conference rules, tournament appearances, and other special events. Keep these factors in mind as you follow your favorite teams and predict their success!