College basketball is played every season in United States colleges and universities. The sport is governed by various collegiate athletic bodies, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
Each of these organisations is subdivided into one to three divisions, depending on the number and level of scholarships that may be provided to the athletes. These divisions ensure teams compete against each other. Within each division, there are different conferences that further divide the teams into groups based on geographical locations or other criteria.
Therefore, every season, there are several games each basketball team plays. These games are organised within the structure of their respective conferences and divisions, and provide a platform for teams to showcase their skills and compete for championships.
How many games are in college basketball?
The number of games in a college basketball season can vary depending on the conference, scheduling, participation in postseason tournaments. Typically, a college basketball team plays around 35 to 40 games in the regular season, which includes non-conference matchups and conference games.
However, this number can be higher for teams that qualify for postseason tournaments such as the NCAA Tournament, NIT (National Invitation Tournament), or various conference tournaments. These tournaments can add several more games to a team's schedule, potentially extending the season beyond the regular conference play.
The exact number of games a team plays in a season can also depend on factors such as size of the conference, the number of teams in the conference, and the specific scheduling preferences of each team.
Some conferences may have more teams and therefore a longer conference schedule, while others may have fewer teams and a shorter schedule.
Most Games Played By College Basketball Team In A Single Season
The current NCAA record for the most games played in a single season stands at 41, accomplished by the UConn 2011 national championship team and the Michigan national runner-up team in 2018. The UConn 2011 team participated in five games in the Big East tournament and six games in the NCAA tournament, emerging victorious in all 11 contests and securing both tournament titles.
The UConn Huskies played only 30 games by the end of the regular season, thereafter they completed 12 more games as they dominated postseason play. 17 teams in total have played 40 games in a season.
FAQ's On college basketball
A. The number of games played reflects the intensity and duration of a team's competitive schedule, impacting factors such as team rankings, and postseason eligibility.
A. No, not all teams qualify for postseason tournaments. Only a select number of teams receive invitations to prestigious tournaments such as the NCAA Tournament or the NIT, based on their regular-season performance and conference standings.
A. The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, often referred to as March Madness, includes 68 teams.
A. There are 32 conferences in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball, each representing a group of colleges and universities that compete against each other during the regular season and conference tournaments.
