If you’re a college basketball fan, you may be wondering just how many Division 1 basketball teams are out there.
Well, we’ve got you covered with a quick answer to your question!
There are currently 357 Division 1 basketball teams in the United States.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what it means to be a Division 1 basketball team, how the teams are organized, and some interesting facts about these teams.
What is a Division 1 Basketball Team?
Division 1 basketball teams are the most elite, competitive teams in college basketball. These teams are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and are the highest level of competition in college basketball. There are a total of three NCAA divisions, with Division 1 being the largest and most competitive.
NCAA Basketball Divisions
The NCAA currently has three divisions for all of their sports, including basketball. These divisions are based on the size and resources of the schools. Division 1 is the largest and most competitive division, made up of the biggest universities and colleges in the country. Division 2 is made up of smaller schools with fewer resources, while Division 3 is comprised mostly of smaller liberal arts colleges.
Criteria for Division 1 Teams
There are specific criteria that a college or university must meet in order to be considered a Division 1 school. These criteria include the size of the school’s athletic program, the number of scholarships offered, and the amount of money invested in athletic facilities. Division 1 schools are required to sponsor at least seven sports for men and seven sports for women, with at least two team sports for each gender. Additionally, Division 1 schools must offer a minimum of 14 athletic scholarships for men’s sports and 14 scholarships for women’s sports.
Being a Division 1 basketball team is a great achievement and requires a lot of hard work and dedication from both the players and coaching staff. These teams are the best of the best and compete at the highest level of college basketball.
For a complete list of Division 1 basketball teams, you can visit the NCAA website here.
How are Division 1 Teams Organized?
Division 1 basketball teams are organized into conferences and regions. Conferences are groups of teams that compete against each other throughout the season. There are 32 conferences in Division 1 basketball, each with varying numbers of teams. Some conferences are made up of teams from a specific region, while others have teams from all over the country.
- The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) includes schools from the East Coast.
- The Big 12 Conference includes schools from the Midwest and Southwest.
- The Pac-12 Conference includes schools from the West Coast.
Regions are used to determine which teams will compete against each other in the NCAA tournament. There are four regions: East, Midwest, South, and West. Each region is made up of teams from different conferences. The teams that perform well during the regular season and conference tournaments are selected to compete in the NCAA tournament, with the ultimate goal of winning the national championship.
| Conference | Number of Teams |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) | 15 |
| Big East Conference | 11 |
| Big Ten Conference | 14 |
| Big 12 Conference | 10 |
| Pac-12 Conference | 12 |
| Southeastern Conference (SEC) | 14 |
The number of teams in each conference can change from year to year as schools move between conferences or join Division 1 basketball for the first time. It’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest conference and team changes if you’re a fan or follower of Division 1 basketball.
For more information on Division 1 basketball and its conferences and regions, visit the NCAA website at https://www.ncaa.com/sports/basketball-men/d1.
Fun Facts about Division 1 Basketball Teams
Most Successful Teams
When it comes to the most successful teams in Division 1 basketball, there are a few that stand out from the rest. The University of Kentucky currently holds the record for the most wins in Division 1 history, with a total of 2,320 wins as of the end of the 2020-2021 season. Other successful teams include the University of North Carolina, Duke University, and Kansas University. These teams consistently perform well and are always a force to be reckoned with in any game they play.
Highest Attendance
When it comes to attendance, the University of Syracuse currently holds the record for the highest attendance at a single Division 1 basketball game. In 2014, the Carrier Dome was packed with 35,446 fans watching Syracuse take on Duke. The energy in the arena was electric, and the fans were truly passionate about their team. Other teams with high attendance records include the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and the University of North Carolina.
Craziest Fans
Division 1 basketball is known for having some of the craziest and most passionate fans in all of sports. From the student sections to the alumni, these fans know how to bring the energy to any game. Some of the craziest fans can be found at Duke University, where the student section is known as the Cameron Crazies. These fans are notorious for their chants and antics during games, and they always bring a level of intensity to the arena. Other schools with passionate fan bases include the University of Kansas, Gonzaga University, and the University of Kentucky.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are currently 357 Division 1 basketball teams in the United States, each with their own unique history and fan base.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a casual observer, there’s always something exciting happening in the world of college basketball.
We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of Division 1 basketball and the teams that make up this exciting part of American sports culture.
