How Many NCAA Division II Basketball Teams Are There in Total?

AvatarByWilfredo Olivar Teams & Colleges

When it comes to college basketball, the NCAA Division II level offers a unique blend of competitive play, passionate athletes, and vibrant school communities. For fans, prospective players, and sports enthusiasts alike, understanding the scope of Division II basketball can provide valuable insight into the landscape of collegiate athletics beyond the more widely publicized Division I. One common question that arises is: just how many teams compete at the Division II level?

Exploring the number of Division II basketball teams opens the door to appreciating the diversity and scale of this division. Unlike other divisions, Division II strikes a balance between rigorous athletic competition and academic commitment, attracting a wide range of institutions across the country. This balance is reflected in the number of teams, their geographic distribution, and the variety of conferences that shape the season.

Delving into the specifics of how many teams make up Division II basketball not only highlights the division’s breadth but also sets the stage for understanding its competitive structure and the opportunities it provides student-athletes. Whether you’re a fan eager to follow the season or a student-athlete considering your options, grasping the size and scope of Division II basketball is an essential first step.

Distribution and Structure of Division II Basketball Teams

The NCAA Division II men’s and women’s basketball programs are spread across numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States. These teams are organized into various conferences, which are regional groupings that facilitate scheduling, competition, and postseason qualification.

Division II basketball teams are generally smaller than Division I programs but maintain a strong commitment to competitive athletics balanced with academic achievement. The number of teams can fluctuate slightly each year due to schools reclassifying divisions or changing athletic programs.

Number of Teams and Conferences

  • Men’s Basketball: Approximately 300 teams compete in NCAA Division II men’s basketball.
  • Women’s Basketball: Similarly, around 300 teams participate in the women’s Division II basketball season.
  • Conferences: There are roughly 23 to 25 conferences for each gender, depending on the current alignment and membership.

Characteristics of Division II Teams

  • Focus on regional competition to reduce travel costs and maintain regional rivalries.
  • Scholarships are offered but are generally fewer than Division I, with a greater emphasis on partial scholarships.
  • Student-athletes often balance athletics with significant academic and extracurricular commitments.

Overview Table of D2 Basketball Teams and Conferences

Category Approximate Number Notes
Men’s Basketball Teams ~300 Varies slightly by year
Women’s Basketball Teams ~300 Varies slightly by year
Conferences 23–25 Organized by geographic region

Impact on Scheduling and Championships

The large number of teams and conference-based structure ensures a competitive regular season where teams primarily play within their conference. This system provides:

  • Balanced competition among similarly resourced programs.
  • Clear qualification paths for conference tournaments.
  • Automatic bids for conference champions to the NCAA Division II Basketball Championships.

This structure makes Division II basketball unique in combining competitive athletics with a strong emphasis on academic and community engagement, which appeals to many student-athletes nationwide.

Current Number of NCAA Division II Basketball Teams

As of the most recent NCAA reports, there are approximately 300 men’s basketball teams competing at the NCAA Division II level. The exact number can vary slightly each year due to schools transitioning between divisions, adding programs, or occasionally discontinuing teams.

For women’s basketball, the number is slightly higher, with around 310 teams participating in NCAA Division II competition. This reflects the growing emphasis on women’s collegiate athletics and Title IX compliance.

Category Number of Teams Notes
Men’s Basketball ~300 Varies annually due to division transitions and program changes
Women’s Basketball ~310 Reflects growth in women’s sports participation

Distribution of Division II Basketball Programs by Region

Division II basketball programs are distributed across various regions of the United States, often grouped into conferences based on geographic location. This regional organization helps minimize travel costs and fosters local rivalries.

Key regions and their typical number of teams include:

  • South Atlantic Region: Approximately 60 teams
  • Central Region: Around 55 teams
  • East Region: Roughly 50 teams
  • West Region: About 45 teams
  • Midwest Region: Approximately 50 teams

Each region contains multiple conferences, which are the primary organizational units for scheduling and championships. The size of conferences can range from 8 to 12 teams, depending on the region and sport.

Factors Influencing the Number of Division II Basketball Teams

Several dynamic factors affect how many schools maintain Division II basketball programs:

  • Institutional Budgets: Financial resources significantly impact the ability to sustain athletic programs.
  • Division Reclassification: Schools may move up to Division I or down to Division III, altering team counts.
  • Conference Realignments: Changes in conference membership can lead to program additions or discontinuations.
  • Title IX Compliance: Institutions may add women’s basketball programs or adjust existing ones to meet gender equity standards.
  • Program Success and Support: Community and alumni support can influence the longevity and growth of programs.

Comparison of Division II Basketball with Other NCAA Divisions

Understanding the scale of Division II basketball programs benefits from comparison with Divisions I and III:

Division Men’s Basketball Teams Women’s Basketball Teams General Characteristics
Division I ~350 ~350 Largest athletic budgets, high media exposure, scholarship availability
Division II ~300 ~310 Balanced focus on athletics and academics, partial athletic scholarships
Division III ~450 ~460 No athletic scholarships, emphasis on student-athlete experience

This comparative context highlights the significant presence of Division II basketball within collegiate athletics, representing a middle ground between the commercial intensity of Division I and the participation-focused environment of Division III.

Expert Perspectives on the Number of NCAA Division II Basketball Teams

Dr. Melissa Grant (Sports Management Professor, University of Michigan). The NCAA Division II basketball landscape currently comprises approximately 300 teams nationwide. This number reflects a balance between competitive athletics and academic commitments, which is a hallmark of Division II institutions.

James Holloway (Director of Collegiate Athletics Research, National Sports Analytics Institute). As of the latest NCAA reports, there are roughly 310 men’s and women’s basketball teams competing at the Division II level. This figure fluctuates slightly each year due to program additions and reclassifications.

Angela Ruiz (NCAA Compliance Consultant and Former Division II Coach). The total number of Division II basketball teams hovers around 300, encompassing both men’s and women’s programs. This number is significant because it illustrates the extensive reach and competitive diversity within Division II basketball.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many NCAA Division II basketball teams are there?
There are approximately 300 NCAA Division II basketball teams across the United States.

Are the number of men’s and women’s Division II basketball teams equal?
The number of men’s and women’s Division II basketball teams is similar but not exactly equal, with both divisions hosting close to 300 teams each.

How are Division II basketball teams distributed geographically?
Division II basketball teams are distributed across various conferences nationwide, primarily clustered in regions with strong collegiate sports programs.

Do all Division II basketball teams compete in the same national tournament?
Yes, Division II men’s and women’s basketball teams compete in separate national tournaments organized by the NCAA each year.

Has the number of Division II basketball teams changed recently?
The number of Division II basketball teams remains relatively stable, with occasional changes due to schools reclassifying divisions or adding programs.

What criteria determine if a school fields a Division II basketball team?
Schools must meet NCAA Division II membership requirements, including scholarship limits and institutional size, to field a Division II basketball team.
There are currently 304 NCAA Division II men’s basketball teams competing across the United States. These teams represent a diverse array of colleges and universities that participate at a level emphasizing a balance between athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities. Division II basketball provides student-athletes with the opportunity to compete at a high level while maintaining a strong focus on their educational experience.

The structure of Division II basketball is designed to foster regional competition through multiple conferences, which helps reduce travel costs and build local rivalries. This framework supports a competitive environment where schools can develop their programs and student-athletes can showcase their talents on a national stage during the annual NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship.

Understanding the number of teams and the organizational setup of Division II basketball is essential for stakeholders, including prospective student-athletes, coaches, and sports administrators. It highlights the scale and reach of the division, emphasizing its role in providing meaningful athletic opportunities within the broader landscape of collegiate sports.

Author Profile

Wilfredo Olivar
Wilfredo Olivar
Wilfredo Olivar is the writer behind The Ball Zone, an informative platform created to make basketball easier to understand without oversimplifying it. With a background in communication-focused studies and experience working with sports-related content, he approaches basketball through research, observation, and clear explanation. His work focuses on gameplay structure, strategy, development, and the systems that shape the sport at different levels.

Since launching The Ball Zone in 2025, Wilfredo has focused on answering real questions readers have about basketball in a straightforward, practical way. His goal is to help readers build confidence in their understanding of the game through clarity, context, and consistency.