United Basketball: What Division Do They Play?

what division is utd basketball

The UT Dallas Comets represent the University of Texas at Dallas in the NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Comets joined the Lone Star Conference on July 1, 2025, marking their transition from Division III. The basketball team has enjoyed several successes, including the men's team winning the ASC East Division in 2010 and 2011, and the women's team winning the ASC East Division title in 2009. In 2018, both the men's and women's basketball teams won the NCAA Division III conference championships in the ASC Tournament.

Characteristics Values
Name of the team UT Dallas Comets
University University of Texas at Dallas
Current Division NCAA Division II
Previous Division NCAA Division III
Conference Lone Star Conference
Previous Conference American Southwest Conference
Varsity sports Baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball
Location Richardson, Texas
Number of Students Over 31,000

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UT Dallas Comets basketball division history

The UT Dallas Comets represent the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Comets compete in the Lone Star Conference, which is home to all of the university's 17 athletic programs.

Before joining the Lone Star Conference, the Comets were full members of the American Southwest Conference from the program's inception in 1998. Varsity sports at UT Dallas include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

The UT Dallas men's basketball team has enjoyed success in the past, winning the ASC East Division in 2010 and 2011 and the ASC Tournament in 2014. In 2005, the team claimed their first ASC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III national playoffs. On December 20, 2006, the Comets men's basketball team made history by becoming the first Division III team to defeat a Division I opponent during the 2006-2007 season, with a 78-76 victory over the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks.

The UT Dallas women's basketball team has also achieved notable accomplishments. They won the ASC East Division title in 2009 and the American Southwest Conference title in 2013. In 2016-17, they claimed the ASC conference crown, and in 2018, they made history by winning the NCAA Division III conference championship in the ASC Tournament alongside their male counterparts.

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Men's basketball team achievements

The men's basketball team at UT Dallas, also known as the Comets, has had a number of notable achievements over the years. The team has experienced success in Division III of the NCAA, qualifying for the national playoffs and tournament multiple times.

In the 2004-2005 season, the men's basketball team advanced to the post-season and won their first ASC Championship. They then went on to become the first Division III team to defeat a Division I basketball team during the 2006-2007 season. The Comets men's basketball team continued their success by winning the ASC East Division in both 2010 and 2011.

In 2014, the team won the ASC Tournament, and in 2018, they achieved a historic feat by winning the NCAA Division III conference championship in the ASC Tournament, alongside the women's basketball team. The UT Dallas men's basketball team added to their trophy cabinet by winning the American Southwest Conference championship in 2019 and again in 2024, with a thrilling buzzer-beating shot.

The Comets have a rich history of success in basketball, with their men's team consistently performing well and bringing pride to the university. The team's achievements have been guided by coaches like Jared Fleming, who has been associated with the program for over 12 years and has won an ASC title as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.

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Women's basketball team achievements

The UT Dallas Comets represent the University of Texas at Dallas in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The women's basketball team has achieved notable success over the years, including:

2015

The UT Dallas women's basketball team won the American Southwest Conference (ASC) tournament championship, earning an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. They defeated the University of Texas at Tyler, ranked 11th, with a score of 82-74. This victory extended their record-breaking season and qualified them for the Sweet 16 round of the national tournament.

2013

The women's basketball team won the American Southwest Conference title, showcasing their dominance in their conference.

2009

The team won the ASC East Division title, demonstrating their regional strength and competitiveness.

2018

Both the men's and women's basketball teams achieved a remarkable feat by winning the NCAA Division III conference championships in the ASC Tournament. This showcased the overall excellence of the basketball program at UT Dallas.

The UT Dallas women's basketball team has consistently performed well, with standout seasons in 2015 and 2018, and continues to represent the university with pride and determination in NCAA Division II competitions.

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UT Dallas's transition to Division II

The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) has initiated its transition to Division II of the NCAA, joining the Lone Star Conference (LSC) as a full member. This move comes after being a member of NCAA Division III and the American Southwest Conference (ASC) since the inception of its athletic department in 1998.

UTD's transition to Division II will take place over a three-year provisional period, with the Comets competing as independents before starting full LSC competition in the fall of 2025. The university's decision to move to Division II is motivated by its desire to provide its students with opportunities to achieve at the highest levels of competition, both academically and athletically.

UTD's athletic teams, known as the Comets, have a history of success in various sports, including basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, and volleyball. The Comets have won multiple ASC championships and have advanced to NCAA Division III national playoffs in the past. In 2005, the UTD Athletic Program claimed their first ASC Championship for men's basketball and advanced to the NCAA Division III national playoffs. The women's basketball team also won the ASC East Division title in 2009, while the men's team won the same division in 2010 and 2011.

By joining the LSC, UTD will be part of an elite Division II conference with a strong reputation for academic and athletic excellence. The conference has produced 77 to 81 NCAA team national championships in the past 40 to 41 years. The move to Division II will allow UTD to compete at a higher level and build new rivalries with other institutions that share its values and commitment to student success.

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The Lone Star Conference

The LSC currently has 18 full members, with member institutions located in the South Central states of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Additionally, two members in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington compete as affiliates for football only. The LSC operates from the same headquarters complex in the Dallas suburb of Richardson as the American Southwest Conference.

The University of Texas at Dallas, also known as the UT Dallas Comets, recently joined the Lone Star Conference. On July 20, 2023, the university announced its transition from NCAA Division III to Division II, and on July 1, 2025, the Comets officially became a part of the Lone Star Conference. The Comets will not be eligible for NCAA postseason play until the 2026-27 season.

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Frequently asked questions

The UT Dallas Comets basketball team has been in Division III of the NCAA since 1973. However, in 2023, the university announced its transition to Division II and joined the Lone Star Conference.

The Comets officially joined the Lone Star Conference on July 1, 2025.

Apart from Division II and Division III, Division I is another level of competition in the NCAA.

Other sports in which UTD competes include baseball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

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