The worst game I've seen in person was a 65-8 drubbing between two small high schools. The winning team had its bench completely empty and was working on set plays and different things to pass the time. The problem is, if you pass the ball around the perimeter for six straight minutes just to burn clock, it's almost just as embarrassing as if you continue to attack the basket. I felt the winning coach of the game I saw did what she could to play honorable and still get something accomplished for her team. That's all you can ask a coach to do.
My college friend told me of a game she played in eighth grade where they were losing 31-1 at halftime and ended up falling 55-3. The winning team had a prodigy who ended up playing a little bit in the WNBA.
Looking back, she laughs about it.
Of course, with college or pros, I'm of the belief that anything goes. If you can't stop them, get a better team.
In rec league, we would always let our 300-pound big man chuck up 3's after we started losing by more than 40 points (which was about every week). So I guess it all depends.
