CorrelationsDrought ImpactInfluenced GamesConferencesCompareCoachingDrought Killers

Drought-Influenced Games

Close losses (≤15 points) where scoring droughts significantly impacted the outcome. These games highlight situations where extended scoreless periods were a major factor in the final result.

Total Games

2814

2025-26 season

Decisive

160

≥40% of opp score

Major

753

25–39% of opp score

Significant

1525

12–24% of opp score

Avg Pts Surrendered

16.4

During drought periods

Impact Severity Categories
How we categorize the influence of droughts on close losses
Decisive Factor (≥40%)
40%+ of the opponent's total points came during your scoring droughts. Nearly half their scoring happened while your team was completely shut down.
Major Factor (25–39%)
25–39% of the opponent's total points came during your scoring droughts. A quarter or more of their offense came at your most vulnerable moments.
Significant Factor (12–24%)
12–24% of the opponent's total points came during your scoring droughts. Meaningful contribution to the loss, even if not the primary cause.
Minor Factor (<12%)
Less than 12% of the opponent's total points came during your scoring droughts. Present but not a dominant factor in the outcome.
Teams with Most Influenced Losses
Top 10 teams with the most close losses where droughts were a significant factor
Tier:AllP4G5Other

Click a team to filter the games table below

1
Maine Black BearsMaine Black Bears
16 losses(9 decisive/major)
2
SE Louisiana LionsSE Louisiana Lions
14 losses(8 decisive/major)
3
Northwestern State DemonsNorthwestern State Demons
14 losses(8 decisive/major)
4
Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern Wildcats
14 losses(2 decisive/major)
5
Stonehill SkyhawksStonehill Skyhawks
13 losses(5 decisive/major)
6
Loyola Chicago RamblersLoyola Chicago Ramblers
13 losses(7 decisive/major)
7
Jacksonville State GamecocksJacksonville State Gamecocks
13 losses(3 decisive/major)
8
Army Black KnightsArmy Black Knights
13 losses(6 decisive/major)
9
Northeastern HuskiesNortheastern Huskies
13 losses(3 decisive/major)
10
Long Beach State BeachLong Beach State Beach
13 losses(2 decisive/major)
All Influenced Games
Filter by tier, conference, and severity to explore specific matchups
Tier:AllP4G5Other
Showing 20 of 2814 games
Team ↕Opponent ↕Date ↕ScoreMargin ↕Pts Surrendered ↕Droughts ↕Severity ↕
Northern Arizona LumberjacksNorthern Arizona LumberjacksMontana State Bobcatsvs Montana State BobcatsMar 2L 65-7611424
Decisive Factor
Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesTennessee Tech Golden EaglesWest Georgia Wolvesvs West Georgia WolvesNov 17L 59-612395
Decisive Factor
North Dakota Fighting HawksNorth Dakota Fighting HawksNorth Dakota State Bison@ North Dakota State BisonMar 8L 62-708396
Decisive Factor
Stonehill SkyhawksStonehill SkyhawksWagner Seahawksvs Wagner SeahawksFeb 14L 57-6811396
Decisive Factor
Gonzaga BulldogsGonzaga BulldogsSaint Mary's Gaels@ Saint Mary's GaelsFeb 28L 59-7011394
Decisive Factor⏱ Late
Maine Black BearsMaine Black BearsRutgers Scarlet Knights@ Rutgers Scarlet KnightsNov 10L 60-7212384
Decisive Factor
George Washington RevolutionariesGeorge Washington RevolutionariesFlorida Gators@ Florida GatorsDec 13L 70-8010385
Decisive Factor
Charleston Southern BuccaneersCharleston Southern Buccaneersvs Lindenwood LionsNov 14L 77-836374
Decisive Factor⏱ Late
Mount St. Mary's MountaineersMount St. Mary's MountaineersQuinnipiac Bobcatsvs Quinnipiac BobcatsJan 22L 62-7715373
Decisive Factor⏱ Late
Nevada Wolf PackNevada Wolf PackSan Diego State Aztecs@ San Diego State AztecsFeb 14L 57-7114374
Decisive Factor
UNC Asheville BulldogsUNC Asheville BulldogsNC State Wolfpack@ NC State WolfpackDec 6L 63-7512374
Decisive Factor
Iowa State CyclonesIowa State CyclonesCincinnati Bearcats@ Cincinnati BearcatsJan 17L 70-799374
Decisive Factor⏱ Late
Indiana State SycamoresIndiana State SycamoresSouthern Illinois Salukis@ Southern Illinois SalukisFeb 25L 55-6611374
Decisive Factor
Northern Kentucky NorseNorthern Kentucky NorseDetroit Mercy Titans@ Detroit Mercy TitansJan 30L 77-9013372
Decisive Factor
Buffalo BullsBuffalo BullsSouth Alabama Jaguars@ South Alabama JaguarsFeb 7L 69-8112374
Decisive Factor
Seattle U RedhawksSeattle U RedhawksPacific Tigers@ Pacific TigersMar 7L 58-613375
Decisive Factor
Georgia BulldogsGeorgia BulldogsTexas A&M Aggiesvs Texas A&M AggiesJan 31L 77-9215363
Major Factor⏱ Late
Merrimack WarriorsMerrimack WarriorsSiena Saintsvs Siena SaintsMar 10L 54-6410364
Decisive Factor
Monmouth HawksMonmouth HawksSeton Hall Pirates@ Seton Hall PiratesNov 13L 58-7012364
Decisive Factor⏱ Late
Central Connecticut Blue DevilsCentral Connecticut Blue DevilsFairfield Stagsvs Fairfield StagsDec 18L 70-8414363
Decisive Factor

Note:This analysis identifies games where droughts were a significant factor, not a singular cause. Basketball games have many contributing factors. The "pts surrendered" represents points allowed during drought periods, which provides context for how droughts influenced the outcome.