NFL Odds | BCS College Football Odds | World Series 2006 Free live Lines | Sports Betting Information | Gambling Information | Casino Games | Poker Gaming | Sports Forum

Basketball Terminology | M - N - O

M

Man-to-man defense

The defensive style where each defensive player is responsible for guarding one opponent.

Match-ups

Any pairing of players on opposing teams who guard each other.

MVP (Most Valuable Player)

An award recognizing the NBA player who contributed most to the regular season or to the Finals.

N

NBA (National Basketball Association)

a professional league created in 1949 that now has 27 teams in the U.S. and is adding 2 Canadian teams in 1995.

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)

A voluntary association of over 1,200 colleges and universities in the U.S. whose role is to establish standards and protect the integrity of amateurism for student-athletes.

NCAA Tournament

An annual competition between 64 college teams to crown a national champion; also called March Madness because the three-week-long event is held during March; see also Final Four.

NIT (National Invitational Tournament)

The oldest college tournament, in which 32 teams not selected to the NCAA Tournament compete each year.

O

Off the dribble

A shot taken while driving to the basket.

Offense

The team with possession of the ball.

Offensive rebound

A rebound of a team's own missed shot.

Officials

The crew chief, referee and umpire who control the game, stop and start play, and impose penalties for violations and fouls.

Open

When a player is unguarded by a defender.

Out of bounds

The area outside of and including the end lines and sidelines.

Outside shooting

Shots taken from the perimeter.

Over the limit

When a team commits 5 or more team fouls per NBA period (4 in each overtime); 8 or more per WNBA half; 7 or more per half in college; this team is also said to be in the penalty.

Overtime or OT

The extra period(s) played after a regulation game ends tied.