Amanda Knapp
Division 1 basketball colleges are the highest level of collegiate basketball in the United States. There are 361 schools that are full members of 31 Division 1 basketball conferences, with four more transitioning from Division II. Conferences are groups of colleges that field teams in the same athletic body, such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The number of conferences has increased over time due to the rise of televised college sports and the desire for more lucrative media rights deals. Schools in Division 1 basketball conferences are highly competitive and well-known, with talented athletes and high academic standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of schools in Division I men's basketball programs | 361 (full members) + 4 (in transition) = 365 total |
| Number of conferences | 31 |
| Schools joining the United Athletic Conference in 2026 | Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, and West Georgia |
| Schools joining the Pac-12 Conference in 2026 | Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State, and Utah State |
| Schools resuming Pac-12 play in 2026 | Oregon State and Washington State |
| Number of Division II basketball conferences | 23 |
| Number of independent Division II schools without conference affiliations for the 2025-26 season | 4 |
| States without a Division I basketball program | Alaska |
| Schools without women's basketball teams | The Citadel and VMI (military colleges that are overwhelmingly male) |
| Collegiate athletic bodies governing colleges and universities in the US | National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) |
| Factors influencing conference membership | Institutional compatibility, academic standards, and media rights deals |
| Example of institutional compatibility influencing conference membership | All full members of the West Coast Conference are Christian colleges and universities in the Pacific Time Zone |
| Example of academic standards influencing conference membership | The Ivy League comprises institutions in the Northeast with high academic standards that schedule games on Fridays and Saturdays to minimize disruption to student-athletes' studies |
| Example of media rights deals influencing conference membership | Shifts in conference membership due to schools seeking lucrative media rights deals and competitive playing partners for their football programs |
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What You'll Learn
Membership drivers
Geographic proximity was once a critical factor in conference membership, but its importance has diminished since the 1990s. Conferences like the Big Ten Conference have expanded beyond their original regional boundaries, reflecting the evolving nature of conference composition.
Media rights deals and competitive playing partners are also significant drivers. Schools often seek lucrative media deals for their sports programs, leading to shifts in conference membership. Additionally, conferences strive to maintain a certain size to remain competitive, sometimes recruiting Division II teams to transition to Division I to make up for lost members.
The prestige and popularity associated with Division 1 basketball colleges are also attractive to prospective student-athletes. These top schools offer well-funded athletic facilities, experienced coaches, and potential athletic scholarship opportunities. The high level of competition at Division 1 attracts ambitious athletes seeking national recognition and the chance to take their game to the next level.
Lastly, the absence of Division I independent schools is notable, indicating that conference membership is the standard for collegiate basketball programs.
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Conference expansion
Geographic proximity used to be a significant factor in determining conference membership, but it has become less important since the 1990s. For instance, the Big Ten Conference, originally composed of institutions in the Midwest, has expanded to include members in New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Media rights deals and competitive playing partners for football programs also drive conference expansion. Schools often house as many of their sports in the same primary conference as possible. When a conference loses a member, it triggers a domino effect, with smaller conferences struggling to remain competitive and sometimes recruiting Division II teams to help them transition to Division I.
The rise of televised college sports in the 1980s contributed to the formation of new conferences and the expansion of existing ones. Chicago State was the most recent Division I independent team before joining the Northeast Conference for the 2024-25 season.
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Geographic proximity
The shift towards reduced reliance on geographic proximity is driven by various factors. One significant factor is the pursuit of lucrative media rights deals and competitive playing partners. Schools may be willing to overlook geographic distance to join conferences that offer better financial opportunities and higher levels of competition, particularly in football. This dynamic has triggered a domino effect, with conferences actively recruiting new members to replace departing schools and maintain their size and competitiveness.
Another factor influencing conference membership is institutional compatibility. Schools with similar characteristics, such as academic standards or religious affiliations, may be more inclined to join the same conference, even if they are not geographically close. For instance, the Ivy League is composed of institutions in the Northeast with high academic standards, while the West Coast Conference currently includes Christian colleges and universities in the Pacific Time Zone.
It is worth noting that while geographic proximity may be less prominent in Division I conference formation, it still plays a role. For example, the United Athletic Conference, which will include Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, and West Georgia from 2026, consists of institutions primarily located in the southeastern region of the United States. Additionally, the expansion of televised college sports in the 1980s contributed to the establishment of new conferences and the expansion of existing ones, allowing for more flexible geographic configurations.
In summary, while geographic proximity was initially a significant factor in shaping Division I basketball conferences, it has gradually become less influential. Today, conferences are defined by a multitude of factors, including institutional compatibility, media rights deals, competitive opportunities, and the dynamics of conference recruitment. As a result, Division I basketball conferences are more diverse and expansive, transcending regional boundaries to create a more interconnected and complex landscape.
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Institutional compatibility
While geographic proximity was once a significant factor in determining conference membership in NCAA Division I, it has become less important since the 1990s. For instance, the Big Ten Conference, originally composed of institutions in the Midwest, has expanded to include members in New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Shifts in conference membership are primarily driven by schools seeking lucrative media rights deals and competitive playing partners for their sports programs. Schools typically house as many of their sports teams in the same primary conference as possible. When a conference loses a member, it often triggers a domino effect, with smaller conferences struggling to remain competitive.
NCAA Division I basketball colleges represent the highest level of collegiate basketball competition in the United States. These elite schools have highly competitive recruiting guidelines and attract the best student-athletes in the nation. Athletes at top Division I basketball colleges benefit from well-funded athletic facilities, experienced coaches, and the potential for national recognition and respect from dedicated fans.
As of the 2025–26 season, there are 364 schools playing men's basketball across 31 Division I basketball conferences. All of these schools also sponsor women's basketball teams, except for The Citadel and VMI, two military colleges that were all-male until the 1990s and remain predominantly male today.
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Transitioning conferences
Conference realignment in college basketball is a dynamic process, with schools transitioning between Division I and Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). As of the 2025–26 season, there are 361 schools that are full members of the 31 Division I basketball conferences, with four more in transition from NCAA Division II. This process involves schools seeking more lucrative media rights deals and competitive playing partners for their sports programs.
For example, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, and West Georgia are set to join the United Athletic Conference in 2026. At the same time, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) will rebrand as the United Athletic Conference, retaining members like Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, and UT Arlington. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State, and Utah State are also joining the Pac-12 Conference in 2026, with Oregon State and Washington State resuming Pac-12 play.
The shifts in conference membership can be driven by various factors, including institutional compatibility, academic standards, and the desire for competitive balance. For instance, the Ivy League comprises institutions in the Northeast with high academic standards, scheduling most of their conference basketball games on Fridays and Saturdays to minimise disruption to student-athletes' studies.
Geographic proximity, once a significant factor in determining conference membership, has become less important since the 1990s. As a result, conferences have expanded across different states. An example is the Big Ten Conference, which initially consisted of institutions in the Midwest but has since expanded to include members in New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
The transition process can also involve smaller Division I conferences recruiting Division II teams to help them transition to Division I status, either to replace lost members or to proactively enlarge the conference to protect against potential future losses. This can trigger a domino effect, impacting the stability and competitiveness of smaller conferences.
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Frequently asked questions
As of the 2025-26 season, there are 31 Division 1 basketball conferences.
There are 361 schools that are full members of Division 1 basketball conferences, with four more in transition from NCAA Division II.
Examples of Division 1 basketball conferences include the Pac-12 Conference, the West Coast Conference, the Ivy League, and the Big Ten Conference.
Conference membership is driven by factors such as institutional compatibility, media rights deals, and the competitiveness of athletic programs. Geographic proximity was once a significant factor but has become less important in recent decades.
Division 1 basketball colleges offer well-funded athletic facilities, experienced coaches, and the potential for athletic scholarship opportunities. Athletes in these programs gain national recognition and respect from dedicated fans.
