Octavius Spann's college basketball career was never what his high school numbers might have foretold. Spann averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds at Banneker HS outside Atlanta, but managed only 11 points his freshman season at Georgetown, with six points against Fairfield and five versus Savannah State.

Spann contributed even less in the 2007 Final Four season, managing only nine points before transferring to Marshall, where his brother played football. Spann averaged 2.6 points per game as a junior at Marshall but did not return for his senior season.