There are about 360+ Division I (D1) college basketball teams , with the latest detailed breakdown for the 2025–26 season putting the total at 364 D1 schools that sponsor men’s basketball.

Quick Scoop: How many D1 basketball teams are there?

For the current landscape (2025–26 season):

  • There are 364 Division I men’s basketball teams.
  • These programs span 31 Division I conferences , from the big-name Power conferences to mid-majors and smaller leagues.
  • A closely cited NCAA-focused article also notes that around 352–360+ schools have been participating in recent seasons, reflecting constant realignment and new programs.

So if you’re answering “how many D1 basketball teams are there,” the most up-to-date, specific number you’ll see is 364 for men’s basketball in 2025–26.

Why the number isn’t static

The count of D1 basketball teams isn’t frozen in time:

  • Schools reclassify from Division II or III to Division I, usually adding 1–5 programs over a few years.
  • Some schools may drop or pause programs due to finances, conference shifts, or institutional strategy, which can slightly lower the number in certain years.
  • New D1 members often spend a transition period where they’re in a D1 conference but not yet fully tournament-eligible.

That’s why you might see slightly different totals (like 352, 357, 361, 364) depending on the season someone is talking about.

Men’s vs. women’s D1 teams

If you look more closely at gender breakdowns:

  • Recent 2025–26 data shows 364 men’s teams and about 362 women’s teams , with most schools sponsoring both.
  • A handful of institutions don’t field a women’s team yet , which explains the small gap.

In everyday conversation, though, when people say “how many D1 basketball teams are there,” they almost always mean men’s D1 programs , which currently sit at 364.

Conferences and D1 spread

These hundreds of teams are spread across the entire country:

  • Major leagues like the ACC and Big Ten now each have 18 basketball members , making them the largest at the top level.
  • Other big conferences (SEC, Big 12, Big East, American) and many mid-majors fill out the rest of the 31 D1 basketball conferences.
  • Every U.S. state except Alaska has at least one Division I basketball program.

This setup is what feeds March Madness: 68 of these 360+ teams make the NCAA men’s tournament each spring.

TL;DR: If someone asks, “How many D1 basketball teams are there?” the current, season-specific answer is: 364 Division I men’s basketball teams in 2025–26 , spread across 31 conferences.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.