So, you’ve hopped on the Kentucky basketball bandwagon. Maybe you caught a couple of tournament wins, felt that emotion, and now you’re all in. Welcome to Big Blue Nation! But with all the excitement, there’s one little problem—you don’t want to ask questions that make you look like a rookie.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s talk about the free throw bonus, one of those rules that gets mentioned a lot but isn’t always explained.
What Is the Bonus?
In college basketball, each team is allowed six fouls per half before their opponent starts shooting free throws. Think of these first six fouls as freebies—annoying, but not immediately painful.
But on the seventh team foul of the half, things change. That’s when the opposing team enters the bonus and gets to shoot what’s called a 1-and-1 free throw situation. Which leads to the next question: what is a 1-and-1?
What Is a 1-and-1?
A 1-and-1 means the player only gets the second free throw if they make the first one. If they miss? Tough luck, no second shot, and it’s a live ball, meaning the rebound is up for grabs.
This is why teams get strategic late in halves. If a bad free throw shooter is at the line, missing that first shot means it’s as if the foul never happened.
What Happens on the 10th Foul?
Once a team commits ten fouls in a half, the other team enters the double bonus. This means automatic two free throws—no more 1-and-1 drama.
Does the Foul Count Reset?
Yes and no. The foul count resets at halftime, so both teams start fresh. But if the game goes to overtime, fouls do not reset. Overtime is what happens if both teams are tied when time runs out in the second half. Because the count does not reset, that means if a team ended regulation with nine fouls, their next one puts the opponent in the double bonus right away.
Now You’re Ready
There you have it! The next time a Kentucky player steps to the line and the announcers start talking about the bonus, you’ll know exactly what’s happening.
No need to fake it until you make it—you’re officially an educated member of Big Blue Nation. Now, let’s go hit some free throws and keep this tournament run going!