Working overtime in the everyday world helps pay the bills.

By contrast, working overtime in college basketball carries no guarantees and can often break your heart.

For the second straight year, Virginia Commonwealth University trekked across the country only to lose its first-round NCAA Tournament game — in overtime — to an under-seeded foe.

This time, it was to Ohio State University, 75-72, in Portland, Ore.

Last year’s first match overtime defeat was to Stephen F. Austin State University, 77-75, in San Diego.

The loss to Ohio State was a classic nail-biter with six ties and 10 lead changes, before 13,616 wild fans at Moda Center.

VCU’s Milton Johnson had 17 points and Doug Brooks had 14 points, but Treveon Graham was a poor 3-of-12 from the floor, Mo Alie-Cox played just 20 minutes because of fouls, and the Rams were able to get only eight points off turnovers.

Although the Rams rallied to win the Atlantic 10 Tournament on March 15, the program’s frenetic defense — Havoc — lost  its sharp teeth following a season-ending knee injury to Briante Weber on Jan. 31.

When Havoc turns into serenity, the Rams struggle. Three-pointers are VCU’s answer when quick scores aren’t coming off the press.

The Rams nailed 10 3-pointers in Portland and notched 39 in four victories in Brooklyn during the Atlantic 10 Tournament.     

Reload: VCU fans won’t weep long.

Starting with the 2009-10 season, Coach Smart’s records have been 27-9, 28-12, 29-7, 27-9, 26-9 and 26-10 this season.

His overall mark is 163-54, including 74-30 in combined Colonial Athletic Association and Atlantic 10 conferences.

Despite the loss of his best offensive player, Graham, and top defender, Weber, Rams fans have learned to suspect no falloff.

Returning for the 2015-16 will be senior Johnson (1,031 points in three seasons, 175 3-pointers) and a host of confident juniors and sophomores. 

Rising juniors include Alie-Cox, Brooks, JeQuan Lewis and Jordan Burgess, and sophomores-to-be Terry Larrier, Justin Tillman, Jonathan Williams and Mike Gilmore.

Close the book: Departing senior Graham, who played in 105 wins, finishes as VCU’s second all-time scorer, with 1,882 points. Only Eric Maynor, with a record 1,953 points, was un-catchable.  

Graham doesn’t appear on the NBA radar. Europe beckons. Rams alumni playing abroad include Brad Burgess and Juvonte Reddic (Italy), Rob Branderberg (Austria), Jamie Skeen (France) and Darius Theus (The Netherlands).

The suitors: Who will be in this year’s Shaka Sweepstakes? The most likely courtship could come from Indiana if much-maligned Tom Crean is pink slipped in Hoosierland.

Since coming aboard in 2008, Crean is a so-so 121-111 at a university and basketball program with some of nation’s loftiest expectations.

And how about “Carolina Blues?”

Will Roy Williams survive the embarrassment of the academic scandal that received recent Sports Illustrated coverage in the March 16 issue?

Another prominent program that may have a vacancy is the University of Texas, where the buzzards are circling Rick Barnes.

Wherever attractive openings occur, expect Coach Smart’s name to surface.

Strength of schedule: The Rams entered the NCAAs with the nation’s 15th toughest schedule, according to the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

During the regular season, VCU had defeated NCAA teams Cincinnati, Northern Iowa, Belmont, Oregon, Davidson and Dayton while losing to qualifiers Virginia and Villanova.

Reinforcements: Touted incoming freshmen will be 6-foot-7 Tevin Mack from Columbia, S.C., 6-foot-7 Jordan Murphy from San Antonio and 6-foot-3 Kenny Williams from L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield County. Mack averaged nearly 29 points per game for Dreher High School in South Carolina.

Big Apple bound: The Rams will play four November games in the 2K Classic to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Other schools playing in the classic include Duke, Georgetown, Wisconsin, Bryant, Siena and Radford (coached by former Coach Smart aide Mike Jones).

VCU will have two home games and then play twice at Madison Square Garden Nov. 20 and 22.