forty minutes of hell
The NCAA strategy of playing a suffocating full-court press and aggressive offense for the entirety of a game.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The coach promised forty minutes of hell every game.”
“Our basketball team practices forty minutes of hell to tire out the visitors.”
“Their defense was famous for forty minutes of hell, exhausting opponents from the opening tip.”
“If we want to win the championship, we must survive forty minutes of hell against a team that never stops running.”
“The players were gasping for air after facing forty minutes of hell from a defense that trapped them in every corner of the court.”
“Adopted from his mentor's playbook, the young coach implemented forty minutes of hell, believing that relentless pressure could overcome teams with more talent but less stamina.”
The term is attributed to Nolan Richardson during his tenure as coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Richardson utilized the phrase to describe his team's signature style of relentless full-court defensive pressure, a tactic designed to ensure the opposition experienced a period of sustained physical and mental distress for the duration of the game.
- 01
15 minutes of fame
A very short time in the spotlight or brief flurry with fame, after which the person or subject involved is quickly forgotten.
- 02
all hell breaks loose
The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.
- 03
all over hell's half acre
All over the place; everywhere.
- 04
back forty
The most remote or inaccessible part of any place.
- 05
catch hell
To be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.
- 06
cold day in Hell
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
- 07
come hell or high water
Regardless of the hardships; no matter what difficulties may arise.
- 08
forty winks
A short sleep, an extra sleep, a nap.
Last updated August 10, 2026