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The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is divided into three divisions based on scholarship allocation, with each division made up of several conferences for regional league competition. In the 2024–25 season, 364 schools will play men's basketball in 31 Division I basketball conferences. The NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee, consisting of coaches from all three NCAA divisions, sets the rules for college men's basketball play.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of schools playing men's basketball in Division I basketball conferences in 2024-25 | 364 |
| Number of Division I basketball conferences in 2024-25 | 31 |
| Number of NCAA varsity members | 7 |
| Number of schools with both men's and women's varsity teams | 9 |
| Number of schools with only men's varsity teams | 9 |
| Number of schools with only women's varsity teams | 8 |
| Number of men's club teams | 136 |
| Number of women's club teams | 86 |
| Number of sports sponsored by the Ivy League | 28 |
| Number of active Division I members that sponsor both men's and women's basketball | 7 |
| Number of men's sports sponsored by Division II institutions | 5 |
| Number of men's team sports sponsored by Division II institutions | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
NCAA Division I Conferences
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is divided into three divisions based on scholarship allocation, with Division I being the highest level. Each division is further divided into several conferences for regional league competition.
In the 2024-25 season, there will be 31 Division I basketball conferences, with a total of 364 schools participating in men's basketball. This includes schools that are transitioning from a lower NCAA division to Division I. All of these schools also sponsor women's basketball, except for two all-male military colleges: The Citadel and VMI.
The NCAA has specific regulations for Division I conferences, which are defined as "multisport conferences." These conferences must meet several criteria, including having at least seven active Division I members, with at least seven members sponsoring both men's and women's basketball. They must also sponsor at least 12 NCAA Division I sports, with a minimum of six men's sports, including men's basketball as a mandatory sport.
Some notable Division I conferences include the Ivy League, which was formed in 1954 and currently sponsors 28 NCAA-sanctioned sports. Another example is the East Coast Conference, which was absorbed by the Summit League. Additionally, the New South Women's Athletic Conference was absorbed by the ASUN Conference, and the North Star Conference, a women-only conference, was also absorbed by the Summit League.
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Men's and women's rules differences
In the 2024–25 season, 364 schools will play men's basketball across 31 Division I conferences. All of these schools offer women's basketball teams too, except for two all-male military colleges.
While there are many similarities between the rules for men's and women's basketball, there are some key differences. Firstly, the basketballs themselves differ in size; men's basketballs are larger than women's basketballs. Men's basketballs measure 29.5 inches, while women's basketballs are 28.5 inches. This difference in size affects the playing style, with men's games featuring more dunks and scoring, and women's games having fewer dunks and more layups.
Another difference is in the timing of the games. Men's college basketball games are divided into two halves, each 20 minutes long, while women's college basketball games are divided into four 10-minute quarters. In the professional leagues, the NBA plays four 12-minute quarters, while the WNBA also plays four quarters, but of 10 minutes each. Additionally, there are differences in the shot clock timings. The NCAA gives teams of both sexes 30 seconds to shoot, while the NBA and WNBA give teams only 24 seconds.
The physical attributes of the players also differ between the sexes. Women players are generally smaller, shorter, and less athletic than men, which results in some strategic differences. There is more open space on the court in women's basketball, and passing and driving lanes are larger, which can create more opportunities for complex offensive plays. However, the lack of size and athleticism also means that women's teams are generally less efficient at scoring in the post and are less effective at blocking shots. As a result, women's teams tend to take more mid-range jump shots.
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Popularity over the NBA
NCAA men's basketball is divided into 31 Division I conferences, with a total of 364 schools participating in the 2024-25 season. College basketball remains more popular than the NBA in some regions of the United States, such as North Carolina and the Midwest, where traditionally strong programmes are located. The NCAA tournament, also known as "March Madness", has become a highly anticipated event, with its own unique appeal and a dedicated fan base.
There are several reasons why NCAA college basketball has gained such popularity. Firstly, the structure of the college game differs from that of the NBA. In the NBA, teams can be eliminated during the regular season, whereas in college basketball, teams remain in contention until the conference tournament, keeping fans engaged and hopeful. The conference tournaments at the end of the regular season provide a thrilling conclusion, with winning teams advancing to the NCAA tournament.
The format of the NCAA tournament, commonly known as "March Madness", also contributes to its popularity. With 68 teams competing for the national championship, the tournament offers a larger scale and a more inclusive experience for fans across the country. The excitement of seeing underdog teams advance and the creation of historic rivalries add to the allure of "March Madness".
Another factor in the popularity of college basketball is its tribal nature. College basketball fans often have a strong connection to their alma mater or local university. The large population of graduates from "major conference" universities contributes to the dedicated fan base and the sense of community associated with college basketball.
Additionally, the NCAA has effectively marketed "March Madness" and the Division I Men's Basketball Championship. The association has positioned the tournament as a must-watch event, investing in promotional activities and highlighting the talent and dedication of the college players. The higher turnover of players in college basketball also increases the importance of good coaches, with successful teams emphasising personality and cohesion to create a unique and engaging dynamic.
While the NBA has its own dedicated fan base and successful playoff setup, college basketball offers a unique experience that resonates with fans across the country. The combination of tradition, community, and thrilling competition has contributed to the enduring popularity of NCAA men's basketball conferences and tournaments.
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Formation of conferences
The formation of basketball conferences has evolved over time, with the sport's history traced back to the late 19th century. In the early days of college basketball, many schools played as independents, with no conference membership. However, the rise of televised college sports in the 1980s led to the formation and expansion of conferences.
One of the earliest conferences was the Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League (EIBL), formed in 1901 by five schools that later became part of the Ivy League. The EIBL was eventually absorbed into the all-sports Ivy League, which was officially formed in 1954.
Another significant development was the implementation of a national tournament by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1939. The location of the NCAA tournament varied year-to-year, and it soon utilised multiple locations to allow more fans to attend. The NCAA tournament gained prestige, attracting conference champions and top-ranked teams.
Over time, the NCAA has evolved to include three divisions, each comprising several conferences for regional league competition. As of the 2024-25 season, there are 31 Division I basketball conferences, with all schools sponsoring women's basketball except for two all-male military colleges.
The formation of conferences has been influenced by various factors, including the popularity of college basketball, the NCAA's marketing efforts, and the rise of televised sports. The conferences are governed by specific regulations, such as the requirement for Division I conferences to have at least seven active members sponsoring both men's and women's basketball.
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Ivy League history
The Ivy League men's basketball tournament is the conference college basketball championship of the NCAA Division I. Eight schools compete annually in men's basketball. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
Prior to 2017, the league champion received the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. If there was a tie, a playoff would be held to determine the league's bid. Beginning in 2017, a tournament consisting of the top four teams in the standings is held to determine the recipient of the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. However, the league championship is still based on regular-season standings. The first two tournaments (2017 and 2018) were held at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The 2019 tournament was held at Yale University.
In 2020, the Ivy League cancelled its tournament during the COVID-19 pandemic and awarded Yale an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, which was later also cancelled. In 2021, the Ivy League did not play regular-season matchups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several Ivy League teams have achieved notable performances in the March Madness tournament. In 1991, Princeton was the only Ivy League school to earn a single-digit seed, receiving an 8-seed. In 2010, Cornell won the Ivy League for the third straight year, earning a 12-seed in the NCAA tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024-25, there are 31 Division I men's basketball conferences.
Some men's basketball conferences include the East Coast Conference, the Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League, the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference, and the Metro Conference.
The NCAA, or the National Collegiate Athletic Association, is divided into three divisions and regulates college sports.
NCAA Division I conferences must have at least seven active members, with seven sponsoring men's basketball. They must also sponsor at least 12 Division I sports, including six men's sports, one of which must be basketball.
