One fundamental aspect of the college basketball scene revolves around the teams that compete within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The NCAA serves as the governing body for college sports across the United States, overseeing various athletic programs and competitions. Established in 1906, the NCAA has grown to become a central authority in collegiate athletics, promoting fair play, sportsmanship, and academic excellence among student-athletes.
Divisions Within the NCAA
The NCAA comprises three primary divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III. Each division represents a different level of competition and athletic scholarship opportunities for student-athletes.
Division I
The NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, known as March Madness, is a single-elimination event held annually in March. Featuring 68 teams, it crowns the national champion. Teams earn spots through conference championships and at-large selections, decided by a committee. The tournament, spanning three weeks, showcases iconic moments, and a celebrated Final Four. The UCLA Bruins hold the record with 11 championships
Division II
The NCAA Division II men's basketball championship, established in 1957, hosts colleges and universities from smaller institutions in the United States and Canada. With 64 teams, it culminates in the Elite Eight, distinguishing itself from other NCAA divisions. The single-elimination format determines the champion.
Division III
The NCAA Division III men's basketball championship determines the national champion and has been held annually since 1975, except in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. The tournament, with 64 teams, culminates in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
College Basketball Teams in the NCAA
The number of college basketball teams within the NCAA varies depending on the division. The focus primarily rests on Division I, which features the most prominent and widely recognized basketball programs in the country.
Division I Basketball teams
In the 2024–25 season, a sum of 352 schools, encompassing those transitioning from lower NCAA divisions to Division I, will participate in men's basketball across 31 Division I basketball conferences.
Division II Basketball teams
During the 2024–25 academic year, a total of 304 colleges and universities from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico are classified as Division II for NCAA competition. This count includes eleven schools in the midst of reclassification to Division II. Representing forty-four of the 50 U.S. states, alongside the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Canadian province of British Columbia, Division II has a diverse array of institutions.
Division III Basketball teams
There are more than American colleges and universities classified as Division III for NCAA competition. These institutions hail from 34 of the 50 states in the U.S. as well as the District of Columbia, reflecting a widespread representation across the nation.
Conference Affiliations
Division I basketball teams are organized into various conferences based on regional proximity and competitive balance. Some of the most notable conferences include the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big Ten Conference, the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and the Pac-12 Conference, among others.
FAQ's on college basketball teams
A. The NCAA has three primary divisions for basketball: Division I, Division II, and Division III.
A. The tournament, known as March Madness, features 68 teams competing in a single-elimination format to determine the national champion.
A. The Division II championship includes 64 teams and culminates in the Elite Eight.
A. The Division III championship has been held annually since 1975, except for the years 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
A. There are 436 American institutions classified as Division III for NCAA basketball, representing 34 states and the District of Columbia.
