How Many D1 Basketball Teams Are There? 2025 Update

By Emma Wilson · October 30, 2027

There are currently 364 NCAA Division I men's basketball teams for the 2025 season. This number reflects ongoing conference realignments and institutional transitions in athletics.

Understanding NCAA Division I Basketball

NCAA Division I is the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States. Men's basketball is one of the most prominent sports within this division, drawing national attention during the annual March Madness tournament.

What Defines a Division I Basketball Program?

Must sponsor at least seven sports for men and seven for women (or six men's and eight women's).
Must play a minimum number of games against Division I opponents.
Must meet minimum attendance requirements (though these are often waived).
Must offer a minimum number of athletic scholarships.
Must maintain compliance with NCAA recruiting and academic standards.

Recent Trends in D1 Basketball Expansion

The number of D1 basketball programs has steadily increased due to schools transitioning from lower divisions and conference realignment. As of 2025, several institutions have recently moved up to Division I, including:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (from DII)
California Baptist University (completed transition in 2023)
Lindenwood University (transitioning since 2022)
Queens University of Charlotte (joined ASUN in 2022)

Distribution of D1 Teams by Conference

Division I basketball teams are organized into athletic conferences that compete for automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. The distribution varies significantly in size and competitiveness.

Conference	Number of Teams	Notable Members
Atlantic Sun (ASUN)	12	Florida Gulf Coast, Bellarmine
America East	9	Vermont, UMBC
ACC	15	Duke, UNC, Syracuse
Big 12	16	Kansas, Iowa State, Arizona*
Big East	11	UConn, Villanova, Marquette
Big Sky	12	Montana, Eastern Washington
Big South	10	Campbell, High Point
Big Ten	18	Michigan, Ohio State, USC*
Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)	15	Towson, UNC Wilmington
Conference USA	10	Western Kentucky, Liberty
Horizon League	11	Wright State, Oakland
Ivy League	8	Harvard, Princeton, Yale
MAAC	11	Iona, Saint Peter's
MAC	12	Kent State, Toledo
Metro Atlantic Athletic (MAAC)	11	Siena, Fairfield
Missouri Valley	10	Loyola Chicago, Drake
Mountain West	11	San Diego State, Nevada
OVC	9	Morehead State, Southern Indiana
Pacific West	10	Cal State LA*, not yet full D1
Patriot League	10	Colgate, Army
SEC	16	Kentucky, Alabama, Oklahoma*
Summit League	9	South Dakota State, Oral Roberts
SWAC	11	Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M
WAC	13	Grand Canyon, Seattle U
West Coast Conference	10	Gonzaga, BYU, Pepperdine
Total	364

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows significant variation in conference sizes, with the Big Ten leading at 18 teams due to recent additions like UCLA and USC. The ACC, SEC, and Big 12 have also expanded beyond traditional boundaries, reflecting broader trends in college athletics driven by media rights and revenue sharing. Smaller conferences like the Ivy League maintain exclusivity with only 8 members.

How New Teams Join Division I

Schools must undergo a reclassification process to move from NCAA Division II or III to Division I. This includes:

A formal application and invitation from a D1 conference.
A four-year transition period during which the school is considered provisional.
Meeting financial, facility, and scholarship requirements.
Full NCAA membership voting approval.

During the transition, teams may not qualify for the NCAA Tournament but can participate in other postseason events.

Frequently Asked Questions About D1 Basketball Teams

How many D1 basketball teams make the NCAA Tournament?

68 teams are selected for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament each year. This includes 32 automatic qualifiers (conference champions) and 36 at-large bids selected by the NCAA Selection Committee.

Has the number of D1 basketball teams increased over time?

Yes, the number has grown steadily. In 2005, there were about 337 D1 men's basketball teams. By 2025, that number has reached 364, reflecting institutional upgrades and conference expansion.

Which conference has the most D1 basketball teams?

As of 2025, the Big Ten Conference has the most teams with 18, following the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. The ACC and SEC follow closely with 15 and 16 teams respectively.

Can a new school become a D1 basketball team immediately?

No. Schools must undergo a four-year reclassification process before gaining full D1 status and eligibility for the NCAA Tournament. They must meet NCAA standards in funding, facilities, and scheduling.

Do all D1 schools play in the March Madness tournament?

No. Only 68 out of 364 D1 teams are invited to the NCAA Tournament annually. Most teams do not qualify, though some may participate in alternative postseason tournaments like the NIT or CBI.