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College basketball is a popular sport in the United States, with various divisions and conferences. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the primary governing body and consists of three divisions, with Division 1 (D1) being the highest level of competition. Other collegiate athletic organizations like the NAIA, NCCAA, and USCAA also have divisions for basketball, but they are less emphasized. The number of divisions and their specific structures can vary over time, with the NAIA moving to a single division for men's and women's basketball in 2020. Each division offers different levels of competition, scholarship opportunities, and athletic budgets, catering to a diverse range of student-athletes across colleges and universities in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of divisions in college basketball | 3 (Division I, Division II, Division III) |
| Number of athletes in Division I | 190,000 |
| Number of athletes in Division II and III | 130,500 |
| Number of NCAA D1 schools | 352 |
| Description of Division I | Highest level of college sports competition in the US, includes the largest and most well-known universities and athletic programs, toughest division to get into, largest athletic budgets, and most scholarships |
| Description of Division II | Requires less training and practice than Division I, more balanced approach to college |
| Description of Division III | Largest division, member schools predominantly private schools (80%) |
| Other college basketball organizations | NAIA, NCCAA, USCAA, NJCAA |
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What You'll Learn
NCAA Division 1 (D1)
D1 athletes are student-athletes who participate in a college sports program that is a member of the NCAA Division 1. If you are on the roster of a Division 1 team, you are considered a Division 1 athlete. Division 1 programs offer the highest level of competition between the NCAA's three divisions. It is the toughest division to get into and compete in. Training and practices take up most of an athlete's time, and many athletes stay on campus during the summer to take on more challenging classes.
D1 colleges include some of the country's oldest and most prestigious schools, such as those in the Ivy League. These schools rank among the top 20 NCAA Division 1 schools within the NCSA Power Rankings. According to the NCAA, more than 8,000 student-athletes compete every year for these schools. The Ivy League is known for its ultra-high level of competition in both athletics and academics.
The NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee, consisting of coaches from all three divisions of the NCAA, sets the rules for college men's basketball play. NCAA men's games are divided into two halves, each 20 minutes long, while WNBA and NCAA women's games are played in 10-minute quarters. The NCAA shot clock gives teams 30 seconds to shoot, while the NBA and WNBA use a 24-second clock. NCAA teams also have 10 seconds to move the ball past the half-court line, compared to 8 seconds in the NBA and WNBA.
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NCAA Division 2 (D2)
Division 2 offers a more balanced approach to college life than Division 1, with less intensive training and practice requirements. While Division 2 athletes still dedicate a lot of time to their sport, they have more time for academics and socialising than their Division 1 counterparts. Approximately 130,500 student-athletes compete in Division 2, with around 60% receiving athletics aid.
The NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament is an annual championship for colleges and universities that are members of NCAA Division II. The tournament, originally known as the NCAA College Division Basketball Championship, became the Division II championship in 1974. The Division II tournament normally involves 64 teams, with 23 automatic bids awarded to the champions of each Division II all-sports conference, and 41 at-large bids. The finals of the Division II tournaments for both men and women consist of eight teams, instead of the four in the other two divisions.
As of the 2023-24 college basketball season, there are 23 Division II basketball conferences. There are currently four independent Division II schools without conference affiliations for the 2024-25 season: Salem, UPR-Rio Piedras, UPR-Mayaguez, and UPR-Bayamon.
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NCAA Division 3 (D3)
D3 schools provide a better balance between sports and academics, similar to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), which consists of primarily private, smaller schools. While D3 schools do not have the same level of athletic budgets or scholarship opportunities as Division 1 schools, they still offer a competitive sports environment.
The NCAA Division III includes both men's and women's basketball teams. The rules for men's and women's college basketball are set by committees within the NCAA, ensuring consistency across the divisions. The NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee, for example, decides the rules for college men's basketball play across all three divisions.
D3 basketball has its own set of notable coaches and players. For instance, in May 2025, longtime MIT head coach Larry Anderson stepped down, joining five other D3 head coaches with Final Four appearances who changed jobs that year. Additionally, in April 2025, Carnegie Mellon's Tony Wingen announced his retirement after 35 seasons as the head men's basketball coach.
The D3 basketball championship is a highly anticipated event. In March 2025, the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship semifinal round, facing Smith College. The Pioneers ultimately won with a score of 49-47, advancing to the national championship game.
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NAIA Division 1 (D1)
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the oldest college athletics governing body in the US, with 250 primarily private, smaller schools. More than 60,000 student-athletes competed at NAIA colleges in various popular sports in the 2022-23 academic year. Many consider the NAIA to be on par with NCAA Division III schools regarding the balance between life and sports, as well as the level of competitiveness. The NAIA awards close to $1.3 billion in athletic scholarships every year.
NAIA basketball colleges are very competitive, and the games are intense. The NAIA is made up of smaller, private colleges, but the student-athletes on NAIA basketball teams share similar experiences and levels of competition as those who compete at NCAA D3 basketball colleges. NAIA basketball colleges offer athletic scholarships, unlike their NCAA D3 counterparts. Each year, NAIA basketball schools offer NAIA basketball scholarships at both the NAIA D1 and NAIA D2 levels. There are typically 11 scholarships per team allotted at the NAIA D1 level, while NAIA basketball teams at the D2 levels are given a maximum of 6 scholarships per team.
NAIA coaches are more accessible to recruits than those who coach at the NCAA level. NAIA coaches must follow NCAA basketball recruiting rules and contact periods. They are allowed to communicate with potential recruits at any time in the recruiting process and can contact basketball recruits at any high school grade level.
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NAIA Division 2 (D2)
College basketball in the United States is divided into several divisions, with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) being the most prominent governing body. The NCAA's Division 1 (D1) is the highest level of college basketball, featuring the largest and most well-known universities with the biggest athletic budgets and scholarship opportunities. However, college basketball also includes other divisions, such as NAIA Division 2 (D2), which offers a more balanced approach for student-athletes.
NAIA D2 basketball features both men's and women's teams, with annual national championships held to crown the best teams in the division. The 29th Annual NAIA Division II Men's and Women's Basketball National Championships took place in March 2020 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Sioux City, Iowa, respectively. These tournaments showcase the top NAIA D2 basketball teams and players, providing an opportunity to compete for a national title outside of the NCAA structure.
The rules for college basketball play are set by committees within the NCAA and NAIA governing bodies. While there are some variations, many of the NBA and WNBA rules are applied to NCAA and NAIA play. For example, as of the 2021-22 season, NCAA men's games consist of two 20-minute halves, while NBA games are played in four 12-minute quarters. The shot clock in NCAA basketball gives teams 30 seconds to shoot, compared to the 24-second shot clock in the NBA and WNBA. These rule differences contribute to the unique characteristics of college basketball, including NAIA D2, and shape the strategic and tactical aspects of the game.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three divisions in college basketball: Division I (D1), Division II (D2), and Division III (D3).
Division I is the highest level of college basketball competition in the US. It includes the largest and most well-known universities and athletic programs. Division I schools have the largest athletic budgets and provide the most scholarships.
Division II is the middle division of college basketball. It has the fewest member schools compared to Division I and Division III. The requirements to compete in Division II are lower, making it less expensive. Division II athletes receive slightly more athletic aid than Division I athletes.
Division III is the lowest division of college basketball. It is the largest of all NCAA divisions, with its member schools being predominantly private schools. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships.
Yes, other organizations that govern college basketball include the NAIA, NCCAA, USCAA, and NJCAA. The NAIA used to have two divisions for men's and women's basketball but moved to a single division in 2020.
