How Many NCAA Basketball Teams Are There in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · February 5, 2028

There are currently 358 NCAA basketball teams competing across Division I, Division II, and Division III for the 2024-2025 season.

Understanding the Structure of NCAA Basketball Teams

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) governs college sports in the United States, including men's basketball. The organization is divided into three primary competitive divisions, each with its own set of rules, scholarship limits, and tournament structures. These divisions allow schools of varying sizes and athletic budgets to compete fairly.

Key Divisions in NCAA Basketball

Division I: The highest level of competition, featuring the largest schools, full athletic scholarships, and the most media exposure.
Division II: Mid-sized institutions offering partial athletic scholarships and balancing athletics with academics.
Division III: Schools that do not offer athletic scholarships, emphasizing student-athlete experience over commercialized sports.

Each division independently organizes its basketball programs, resulting in a broad and diverse national structure.

Breakdown of NCAA Basketball Teams by Division

To understand how the 358 total teams are distributed, it's essential to examine each division individually. The number of teams fluctuates slightly each year due to program additions, eliminations, or reclassifications.

NCAA Division	Number of Teams	Conferences	Scholarship Limit (Men)	Tournament Size
Division I	364*	32	13	68
Division II	309	23	10	64
Division III	435	44	0	64
Total	1,108	99	N/A	N/A

Table data source:1, 2

*Note: The Division I count includes all active members sponsoring men's basketball. Some sources list 364 due to transitional or provisional members. However, only 68 teams qualify for the annual March Madness tournament.

The table shows that while Division I receives the most attention, Division III actually has the highest number of participating teams. This reflects the large number of smaller liberal arts colleges that prioritize academics while maintaining competitive athletics. Division II serves as a bridge between elite competition and academic focus.

How NCAA Tournament Qualification Works

Despite there being hundreds of NCAA basketball teams, only a select few compete in the prestigious NCAA Tournament, commonly known as March Madness.

Division I Tournament (March Madness)

68 teams qualify annually.
32 teams earn automatic bids by winning their conference tournaments.
36 receive at-large bids selected by the NCAA Selection Committee.
The tournament is single-elimination, culminating in the Final Four.

Division II and Division III Tournaments

Each features a 64-team bracket.
Teams qualify via conference championships or at-large selections.
These tournaments receive less media coverage but remain highly competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions About NCAA Basketball Teams

How many NCAA Division I basketball teams are there in 2025?

As of the 2024-2025 season, there are 364 NCAA Division I men's basketball teams. This number includes all active member institutions that sponsor a men's basketball program. However, only 68 teams qualify for the annual March Madness tournament.

Why do different sources report different numbers of NCAA teams?

Variations occur due to schools transitioning between divisions, new programs launching, or temporary suspensions. Additionally, some counts include all NCAA-member schools, while others only count those actively competing in basketball. The official NCAA website provides the most up-to-date figures.

Do all NCAA divisions play in the same tournament?

No, each NCAA division runs its own national championship tournament. Division I, Division II, and Division III each host separate men's basketball tournaments with distinct brackets, selection processes, and champions.

How many teams make the NCAA Tournament?

The Division I NCAA Tournament includes 68 teams. Division II and Division III each have 64-team tournaments. The Division I tournament is the most widely viewed, especially during March Madness, when millions watch the single-elimination games.

Can NAIA or junior college teams join the NCAA?

Yes, schools from the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) or NJCAA (junior colleges) can transition to NCAA membership, but the process takes several years. Institutions must meet NCAA academic, financial, and sponsorship requirements and go through a provisional period before becoming full members.

In summary, while the total number of NCAA-affiliated men's basketball teams exceeds 1,100, the core competitive landscape is segmented across three divisions. The figure of 358 may reflect outdated or incomplete data—current verified totals show significantly higher participation, particularly in Division III, which emphasizes student-athlete development without athletic scholarships.