How Many D1 College Basketball Teams Are There? (2025)

By Sarah Miller · December 30, 2045

As of the 2025-2026 NCAA season, there are 364 Division I college basketball teams in the United States, competing across men's and women's programs under the governance of the NCAA.

Understanding NCAA Division I Basketball

The NCAA Division I is the highest level of intercollegiate athletics in the United States. College basketball at this level features elite student-athletes, high-profile tournaments, and intense competition culminating in the annual March Madness tournament for men and Women's Final Four for women.

What Defines a Division I 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 each season.
Must meet strict academic performance standards set by the NCAA.
Must provide a minimum number of athletic scholarships.
Must have average home attendance of at least 15,000 in football or basketball (if sponsoring FBS football).

Breakdown of D1 Men's vs. Women's Teams

While both men’s and women’s basketball operate under Division I, the number of teams varies slightly due to institutional sponsorship differences. Most schools field both a men’s and women’s team, but not all.

Category	Number of Teams	Change from 2024
Total D1 Schools (with basketball)	364	+3
Men's Basketball Teams	364	+3
Women's Basketball Teams	362	+2
Schools with Both Teams	360	+2
Only Men's Team	4	+1
Only Women's Team	2	0

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows steady growth in Division I basketball, with three new institutions achieving full D1 status in 2025. The slight discrepancy between men’s and women’s teams reflects ongoing transitions and institutional choices. Most schools now support both programs, highlighting increased investment in women’s sports.

Conference Affiliations in D1 Basketball

Division I teams are organized into athletic conferences that govern scheduling, championships, and automatic NCAA tournament bids. Conferences vary in size, prestige, and geographic scope.

Major Conferences (Power 7)

ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) – 18 teams
Big Ten – 18 teams
SEC (Southeastern Conference) – 16 teams
Big 12 – 16 teams
Pac-12 – 2 teams (transitioning; most members moved to other conferences)
Big East – 11 teams
American Athletic Conference – 14 teams

Mid-Major and Smaller Conferences

Mountain West – 12 teams
Missouri Valley – 10 teams
Atlantic 10 – 15 teams
Colonial Athletic Association – 14 teams
Summit League, WAC, Horizon League, etc. – 8–10 teams each

Recent Changes and Expansion Trends

The landscape of Division I basketball has shifted significantly in recent years due to conference realignment. As of 2025:

The Pac-12 has effectively dissolved, with only Oregon State and Washington State remaining and forming a scheduling alliance with the Mountain West.
Several schools transitioned from Division II or reclassified as full D1 members, including Queens University of Charlotte, Stonehill College, and Lindenwood University.
Conference expansion has led to geographically dispersed leagues, increasing travel but also national exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions About D1 College Basketball Teams

How many Division I men's basketball teams are there in 2025?

There are 364 Division I men's basketball teams in the 2025-2026 season, representing the same number of institutions eligible to compete in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Why is the number of women's D1 basketball teams slightly lower?

Although nearly all D1 schools sponsor women's basketball, two institutions currently do not field a women's team, resulting in 362 women's programs. This gap is narrowing as Title IX compliance drives equity in collegiate athletics.

How often does the number of D1 basketball teams change?

The number changes annually, typically increasing by 1–5 teams as schools transition from Division II or III to full D1 membership. Realignments and new programs also influence totals.

Which conference has the most D1 basketball teams?

As of 2025, the ACC and Big Ten are tied with 18 member schools each sponsoring basketball, making them the largest conferences in D1 basketball by membership.

Can a school be Division I without having a basketball team?

No, to maintain Division I status in basketball, a school must sponsor the sport. However, a school can be a Division I institution overall without a basketball program, though such cases are rare among major athletic departments.