NCAA basketball is one of the most exciting and competitive sports in college athletics, featuring some of the best young talent in the world. Every season, teams compete for conference championships, tournament bids, and a shot at the prestigious NCAA Tournament, better known as March Madness.
In this guide, we’ll break down how the NCAA basketball season works, from the regular season to the postseason, and highlight some of the top men’s and women’s teams to watch.
How the NCAA Basketball Season Works
The NCAA basketball season runs from November to April, with teams competing in three key phases:
Non-Conference Play (November – December)
- Teams play out-of-conference opponents to build their resume for the postseason.
- These games include high-profile tournaments like the Maui Invitational and Champions Classic.
- Powerhouse programs often schedule tough matchups to test their strength early.
Conference Play (January – Early March)
- Teams play against their conference rivals in a structured schedule.
- Each of the 32 NCAA conferences determines its own format.
- Conference play is critical for seeding in the NCAA Tournament.
Conference Tournaments (March)
- Each conference hosts a tournament, where teams compete for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
- Even if a team had a weak regular season, winning the conference tournament guarantees a spot in March Madness.
NCAA Tournament (March – April)
- March Madness features 68 teams competing in a single-elimination tournament.
- Teams are divided into four regions, with each region featuring 16 teams seeded from 1 to 16.
- The Final Four and NCAA Championship take place in early April.
Other Postseason Tournaments
- NIT (National Invitation Tournament): Teams that don’t make the NCAA Tournament may receive an invite to this secondary event.
- CBI & The Basketball Classic: Smaller tournaments that provide additional postseason play.
Men’s NCAA Basketball: Teams to Watch in 2024-25
The men’s game features legendary programs and rising teams ready to make a statement. Here are the top teams to watch:
- Kansas Jayhawks 🏀
- A perennial powerhouse with a deep roster and elite coaching from Bill Self.
- Always a contender in the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament.
- Duke Blue Devils 🔵
- Under head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke continues its legacy of elite recruiting and high-tempo play.
- One of the most dominant programs in March Madness history.
- Purdue Boilermakers 🚂
- Led by 7’4” center Zach Edey, Purdue has one of the best frontcourts in college basketball.
- Strong in Big Ten play and looking for a deep NCAA Tournament run.
- UConn Huskies 🏆
- The defending national champions with a balanced attack and elite defense.
- Looking to repeat with another dominant campaign.
- Michigan State Spartans ⚔️
- Under legendary coach Tom Izzo, the Spartans are always a dangerous tournament team.
- Known for tough defense and March Madness magic.
Sleeper Team: Creighton Bluejays 🔵
- A high-scoring team with excellent guard play, capable of making a deep tournament run.
Women’s NCAA Basketball: Teams to Watch in 2024-25
The women’s game has seen incredible growth in recent years, with star players and powerhouse programs dominating the headlines. Here are the top teams to watch:
- South Carolina Gamecocks 🏆
- Head coach Dawn Staley has built a dynasty, with elite recruiting and stifling defense.
- A national title favorite every year.
- LSU Tigers 🐅
- The defending national champions, led by Angel Reese and a talented squad.
- LSU plays a fast-paced, physical game and is always a contender.
- UConn Huskies 🔵
- One of the most historic women’s programs, led by Geno Auriemma.
- With star Paige Bueckers returning from injury, they will be tough to beat.
- Iowa Hawkeyes 🏀
- Previously led by Caitlin Clark, one of the most exciting scorers in NCAA history.
- A high-powered offense capable of deep tournament runs.
- Stanford Cardinal 🌲
- A well-balanced team with a deep roster and elite coaching.
- Always a threat in the Pac-12 and beyond.
Sleeper Team: Indiana Hoosiers 🔴
- A well-coached team with strong defense and three-point shooting, capable of upsetting top teams.
Final Thoughts
The NCAA basketball season is a thrilling journey, from early-season upsets to the madness of March. Both men’s and women’s teams showcase elite talent, passionate fan bases, and unforgettable moments.
Whether you’re watching Kansas battle Duke, LSU defend their title, or underdogs make a Cinderella run, there’s no shortage of excitement in college basketball.
Learn more at: https://www.ncaa.com/sports/basketball-women/d1
The Sport Lady has been a lifelong sports enthusiast. She believes that sports have the power to unite people, create common bonds, and foster shared experiences. As a wife and mother of sports lovers, she is passionate about her favorite teams and cherishes every opportunity to watch them play. For her, every day is game day!