The NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament is played in four 10-minute quarters, while the men's tournament uses the traditional format of two 20-minute halves. This structural difference stems from separate rule changes adopted by the sports' respective governing bodies for regular season play, which the tournaments follow.
The NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Committee changed the game from halves to quarters starting with the 2015-16 season. The stated goals were to enhance game flow, increase strategic opportunities, and align more closely with international (FIBA) and professional (WNBA) standards. Key rule changes accompanying the shift included team fouls resetting every quarter and a revised bonus free-throw system.
Conversely, NCAA men's basketball has retained the two-half format. The NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee has considered but not adopted a quarters format, with the current structure remaining deeply tied to the sport's tradition in the United States. The NBA also uses quarters, but the college men's game continues with halves.
The difference is purely structural and not a reflection of the tournaments' stature. Both the men's and women's NCAA tournaments are premier events, with the women's tournament gaining significant viewership and attention, particularly following equity reviews initiated in 2021 that addressed disparities in amenities and branding between the events.
