In the United States, college basketball is overseen by several athletic organizations, including the NCAA, NAIA, USCAA, NJCAA, and NCCAA. These organizations are divided into divisions based on scholarship allowances, influencing the talent pool and competitiveness of teams.
1900: Basketball Spreads to Colleges
By 1900, basketball had gained popularity and spread to colleges across the United States.
1904: First College Basketball Tournament at Olympics
The 1904 Summer Olympics featured basketball as a demonstration sport and included the first-ever tournament exclusively for college teams. Hiram College emerged as the champions of this inaugural event.
March 1908: University of Chicago Wins Championship Series
In March 1908, a two-game championship series was held between the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania. The University of Chicago won both games, securing the championship title.
1915: College Team as AAU Runner-Up
In 1915, a college team finished as the runner-up in the AAU tournament, showcasing the increasing competitiveness of college teams.
1916: University of Utah Wins AAU Championship
The University of Utah became the first college team to win the Amateur Athletic Union's (AAU) national championship tournament in 1916.
1917: College Team as AAU Runner-Up
A college team once again demonstrated its strength by finishing as the runner-up in the AAU tournament in 1917.
1920: NYU Wins AAU Championship
NYU emerged victorious in the AAU national championship tournament in 1920, marking the second time a college team won the tournament.
1921: College Team as AAU Runner-Up
In 1921, a college team reached the finals of the AAU tournament, securing the runner-up position for the third time.
March 1922: First National Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament
The first-ever National Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament, exclusively for college teams, took place in Indianapolis in March 1922. Wabash College emerged victorious in this inaugural tournament.
1924: Butler Wins AAU Championship
Butler University secured victory in the 1924 AAU national championship tournament.
1925: Washburn Wins AAU Championship
Washburn University clinched the championship title in the 1925 AAU national championship tournament.
1932: College Team as AAU Runner-Up
A college basketball team made it to the championship game of the AAU tournament in 1932, finishing as the runner-up.
1934: College Team as AAU Runner-Up
For the sixth time in the tournament's history, a college team secured the runner-up position in the AAU tournament in 1934.
1937: NAIA Introduces National Collegiate Championship
The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) introduced a regularly occurring national collegiate championship in 1937.
1937: NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Established
The NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was founded in 1937 by James Naismith to determine a champion for smaller colleges and universities.
1938: First National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
The inaugural National Invitation Tournament (NIT) was held in 1938 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Temple University defeated the University of Colorado in the championship game, marking the beginning of a new era in college basketball.
1939: NCAA Tournament Launched
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) launched its own national basketball tournament in 1939. Unlike the NIT, which was held in New York City, the NCAA tournament was held in various locations, making it more accessible to fans across the country.
1944: NAIA Tournament Cancellation
The NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was not held in 1944.
1949: CCNY Beavers' Double Win
The CCNY Beavers men's basketball team achieved a historic feat by winning both the NIT and NCAA tournaments in 1949, highlighting the evolving landscape of college basketball championships.
1950: NCAA Tournament Eligibility Rule
In 1950, the NCAA implemented a rule prohibiting teams from competing in both the NIT and NCAA tournaments, solidifying the NCAA tournament's position as the premier college basketball championship.
1951: College Basketball Scandals
The college basketball world was rocked by scandals in 1951, particularly in New York City, which further diminished the NIT's reputation and bolstered the NCAA tournament's prominence.
1960: NCAA Tournament Surpasses NIT in Prestige
By 1960, the NCAA tournament had definitively overtaken the NIT in terms of prestige and popularity, attracting top-ranked teams and captivating the attention of basketball fans nationwide.
1961: Maccabiah Games Recognized by IOC
In 1961, the Maccabiah Games, an international multi-sport event held in Israel, were officially recognized as a "Regional Sports Event" by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
1966: Texas Western Makes History with Championship Win
In 1966, Texas Western College, with five black starters, won the NCAA national basketball championship, defeating the all-white University of Kentucky team. This victory was significant as it occurred at a time when neither the Southeastern Conference nor the Southwest Conference had any black varsity basketball players.
1969: Spencer Haywood Plays in the ABA
In the 1969-70 season, Spencer Haywood, a player who had not graduated from college, played for the Denver Rockets in the American Basketball Association.
1969: Yale Player Defies NCAA to Compete in Maccabiah Games
Jack Langer, a Jewish basketball player from Yale University, participated in the 1969 Maccabiah Games in Israel, defying the NCAA's ban. Yale University supported Langer's decision, citing religious freedom.
1969: NCAA Bans Basketball Participation in Maccabiah Games
The NCAA Council decided not to allow American college basketball players to participate in the 1969 Maccabiah Games, despite allowing participation in other sports. This decision sparked controversy as it was seen as a restriction on religious freedom.
January 15, 1970: NCAA Sanctions Yale Over Langer Case
On January 15, 1970, the NCAA placed Yale University on a two-year probation for allowing Jack Langer to play in the Maccabiah Games. This probation restricted Yale teams from participating in NCAA tournaments and championships.
February 1970: Ivy League Condemns NCAA, Athletes Protest Langer Case
In February 1970, the Ivy League presidents criticized the NCAA's actions in the "Langer Case." The Harvard Crimson urged the Ivy League to separate from the NCAA. Harvard athletes showed solidarity with Langer and Yale by wearing Yale jerseys at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
1970: Spencer Haywood Joins the NBA
In 1970, Spencer Haywood joined the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics before his college graduation, challenging the NBA's existing rules.
1971: Supreme Court Ruling on NBA Antitrust Exemption
In 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the NBA did not possess the same antitrust exemption as Major League Baseball, a decision prompted by Spencer Haywood's legal challenge. This landmark ruling paved the way for college players facing financial hardship to enter the NBA draft early.
1973: Division III's Low Share of Black Coaches
Since its inception in 1973, Division III basketball has consistently maintained the lowest percentage of Black coaches.
1974: Moses Malone Joins the ABA
Moses Malone began his professional basketball career in 1974, joining the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association directly after graduating high school. His decision marked a significant moment in basketball history, as he went on to achieve Hall of Fame status.
1975: NCAA Tournament Expansion to 32 Teams
The NCAA tournament expanded its field from 25 to 32 teams in 1975, further increasing its national appeal and providing more opportunities for teams to compete on the biggest stage.
1976: Hardship Rule Elimination
In 1976, the NBA removed the hardship requirement that had previously allowed college players to enter the draft early.
1976: ABA-NBA Merger
In 1976, the American Basketball Association (ABA) merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
1980: NCAA Tournament Expansion to 48 Teams
Continuing its growth, the NCAA tournament expanded to 48 teams in 1980, making it even more inclusive and heightening the excitement surrounding March Madness.
1981: NCAA Introduces Possession Arrow
In 1981, the NCAA introduced the possession arrow to determine ball possession after a held ball situation, replacing jump balls after the opening tip.
1985: NCAA Tournament Expansion to 64 Teams
In 1985, the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams, solidifying its position as one of the most popular and widely watched sporting events in the United States.
1992: NAIA Introduces Separate Divisions
In 1992, the NAIA established separate Division I and Division II basketball championships for both men's and women's basketball. The main difference between the two divisions was the awarding of basketball scholarships, a practice allowed in D-I but not in D-II.
1992: NAIA Introduces Division II Basketball
The NAIA introduced Division II championships for men's and women's basketball in 1992.
1994: NAIA Tournament in Tulsa
From 1994 to 2001, the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
1995: Study Analyzes Racial Differences in College Basketball Revenue
A 1995 study by Brown and Jewell examined the racial disparities in revenue generated by college basketball players. The study highlighted the economic impact of racial integration in college basketball.
1999: NAIA Tournament at Kemper Arena
Until 1999, the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was held at Kemper Arena in Kansas City.
2001: End of NAIA Tournament in Tulsa
The 2001 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship marked the end of its run in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
2002: NAIA Tournament Moves to Municipal Auditorium
Since 2002, the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship has been held at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
2005: NBA Implements Dress Code
The NBA instituted a business casual dress code for players in 2005, requiring them to dress appropriately for team and league events.
2006: NBA Draft Age Restriction
Beginning in 2006, the NBA implemented new eligibility rules, requiring players to be at least 19 years old during the draft year and one year removed from high school graduation. This change, driven by maturity concerns following incidents with young players, aimed to encourage players to spend at least one year in college or other developmental leagues before entering the NBA.
2006: NBA Implements "One-and-Done" Rule
The NBA, under Commissioner David Stern, introduced the "One-and-Done" rule in 2006, raising the draft age from 18 to 19. This rule prevented players from being drafted straight out of high school, leading many to play one year of college basketball before entering the NBA draft. Tyrus Thomas was the first player drafted under this new rule.
May 2007: NCAA Three-Point Line Extension
In May 2007, the NCAA Rules Committee voted to extend the three-point line from 19 feet 9 inches to 20 feet 9 inches. This change, effective from the 2008–09 season for men and the 2011–12 season for women, aimed to make the college game more challenging and aligned with the global trend of extending the three-point line.
2008: Men's Three-Point Line Extended
The three point line for men's NCAA basketball was moved back one foot beginning with the 2008-2009 season.
2011: NCAA Tournament Expansion to 68 Teams
The NCAA tournament expanded to 68 teams in 2011, introducing the "First Four" play-in games and creating even more excitement and drama in the race for the championship.
2011: NCAA Tournament Format Change
The NCAA tournament introduced a new format in 2011, expanding the field to 68 teams and renaming the rounds. The "First Four" play-in games determined the final four teams in the field of 64, and the subsequent rounds were renumbered accordingly.
2011: Women's Three-Point Line Extended
The women's three-point line in NCAA basketball was officially extended to 20 feet 9 inches, beginning with the 2011–12 season.
2013: 10-Second Half-Court Rule in NCAA Women's Basketball
Starting in the 2013–14 season, NCAA women's basketball adopted the rule requiring teams to advance the ball past the half-court line within 10 seconds.
2015: Division III Black Coaches Statistics
As of 2015, less than 10% of coaches in Division III basketball were Black, starkly contrasting with around 20% in Division II and 25% in Division I.
2015: NCAA Women's Basketball Adopts Penalty Rule
In 2015, NCAA women's basketball implemented a new rule where the fifth team foul in a quarter results in a penalty, awarding the opposing team two free throws for each subsequent foul.
2015: NCAA Men's Basketball Shot Clock Change
Prior to the 2015–16 season, NCAA men's basketball games used a 35-second shot clock, contrasting with the shorter shot clocks used in other levels of basketball.
2015: NCAA Men's Basketball Restricts Live-Ball Timeouts
Starting in the 2015-16 season, NCAA men's basketball coaches were prohibited from calling timeouts while the ball was in play.
2016: NCAA Tournament Round Renaming
In 2016, the NCAA tournament adjusted its round naming conventions. The initial four play-in games became known as the "First Four," and the subsequent rounds were renumbered to reflect the change. This adjustment clarified the tournament's progression and enhanced the viewing experience for fans.
2017: Heartland Conference Exodus
In 2017, eight out of nine schools in the Division II Heartland Conference decided to leave for the Lone Star Conference in 2019.
2017: NBA Relaxes Jersey Color Rules
In the 2017-18 season, the NBA relaxed its jersey color rules for the regular season, allowing for "color on color" matchups as long as there was sufficient contrast between the uniforms.
2018: Heartland Conference Disbands
In 2018, the Heartland Conference in Division II basketball ceased to exist after the 2018-2019 school year.
2018: Timeout Restriction Extended
The NCAA men's basketball timeout restriction for coaches remained in effect through the 2018-19 season.
2019: Heartland Conference Members Join Lone Star and MIAA
In 2019, most of the former Heartland Conference members joined the Lone Star Conference, while two became associate members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
2019: Partial Reinstatement of Live-Ball Timeouts
In 2019, the NCAA partially reversed the live-ball timeout restriction, allowing coaches to call timeouts during the last two minutes of each period.
2019: NCAA Adopts FIBA Three-Point Arc for Men
Starting in the 2019–20 season, NCAA Division I men's basketball adopted the FIBA three-point arc, measuring 22 feet 1 1/2 inches at the top of the circle and 21 feet 8 inches in the corners. This change brought the NCAA men's game in line with international standards.
2019: End of NAIA Division II Championships
The 2019-2020 season marked the end of separate Division I and II championships in NAIA basketball.
2019: End of NAIA Division Separation
The separation of NAIA basketball into Division I and Division II ended after the 2019-2020 season.
2020: Live-Ball Timeout Rule Clarified
The NCAA clarified the reinstated live-ball timeout rule in 2020, specifying that coaches could only call timeouts during the final two minutes of any period, including overtime.
2020: NAIA Tournament Cancellation
The NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was canceled in 2020.
2020: NAIA Adopts Single-Division Format
The NAIA transitioned to a single-division format for basketball, with both men's and women's tournaments featuring 64 teams, starting from the 2020-2021 season.
2020: NCAA Adopts FIBA Three-Point Arc for Divisions II and III, Experiments with Women's Three-Point Line
In 2020, NCAA Divisions II and III men's basketball also adopted the FIBA three-point arc. Additionally, the FIBA arc was planned to be used experimentally in the 2020 Women's National Invitation Tournament and Women's Basketball Invitational, though these tournaments were ultimately not held.
2020: NAIA Eliminates Divisions
In 2020, the NAIA discontinued separate Division I and Division II basketball championships, opting instead to hold single men's and women's championships. This decision came after the conclusion of the 2019–20 season.
2020: American Collegiate Athletic Association and Capital Athletic Conference Merge
In 2020, the American Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) merged with the Capital Athletic Conference. Shortly after the merger, the newly formed entity changed its name to the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference.
2020: NCAA Tournament Cancellation Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
For the first time in its history, the NCAA tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This unprecedented decision reflected the gravity of the situation and the NCAA's commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of players, coaches, staff, and fans.
2021: NCAA Men's Basketball Game Format
As of the 2021–22 season, NCAA men's basketball games are divided into two halves of 20 minutes each.
2021: Chicago State Becomes Independent in Division I Basketball
Chicago State University became an independent school in Division I basketball after leaving the Western Athletic Conference following the 2021-22 season. The move was primarily due to geographical reasons.
2021: NCAA Tournament Cancellation
The 2021 NCAA tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing disappointment and uncertainty for coaches, players, and the NCAA. This particularly impacted seniors who lost their final season. The NCAA considered eligibility waivers for winter sport athletes, presenting seniors with the choice of returning to college or pursuing professional opportunities.
2021: New NAIA Tournament Format Implemented
The NAIA implemented a new tournament format with regional rounds for both men's and women's basketball in 2021, where only the winner of each regional site advanced to the final tournament.
2021: NCAA Tournament Returns
The NCAA tournament returned in 2021 after its cancellation the previous year. Baylor won the men's championship, and Stanford won the women's championship.
2022: Five Independent Schools in Division II Basketball
In the 2022–23 season, five schools operated as independents in Division II basketball: Bluefield State, Salem, UPR-Rio Piedras, UPR-Mayaguez, and UPR-Bayamon. The three UPR schools also maintain membership in the Liga Atlética Interuniversitaria de Puerto Rico.
2022: Kansas and South Carolina Win NCAA Championships
In 2022, Kansas won the men's NCAA tournament, defeating North Carolina in the championship game. South Carolina won the women's championship, defeating UConn.
2022: Hartford Briefly Joins Independents Before Moving to Division III
Hartford became an independent team in the 2022-23 season after leaving the America East Conference. This move was part of their transition to Division III, where they later joined the Commonwealth Coast Conference.
2022: Colonial States and United East Conference Merger
After the 2022-2023 season, the Colonial States Athletic Conference and the United East Conference merged into a single entity under the banner of the United East Conference.
July 2023: Hartford Joins Commonwealth Coast Conference in Division III
Hartford joined the Commonwealth Coast Conference in July 2023, marking their official transition to Division III basketball.
2023: Division II Basketball Features 23 Conferences
As of the 2023–24 college basketball season, there are 23 conferences in Division II basketball.
2023: D-III Conference Changes
In 2023, The New England Collegiate Conference dissolved as an all-sports conference, and the Colonial States Athletic Conference and United East Conference merged under the United East name.
2023: Division I Basketball Sees Growth with 362 Schools
In the 2023–24 season, 362 schools, including those transitioning from lower divisions, will participate in Division I men's basketball across 32 conferences. Most of these schools also have women's basketball programs, except for The Citadel and VMI.
2023: Division I Basketball Conferences for 2023-24 Season
The 2023–24 college basketball season will feature 32 Division I conferences.
2023: LSU and UConn are crowned champions
The LSU women's team and the UConn men's team won the NCAA basketball championships in 2023. LSU defeated Iowa in the women's final, while UConn beat San Diego State in the men's final.
July 1, 2024: Conference Expansions
On July 1, 2024, the Big Ten Conference will expand to include four new members in the Pacific Time Zone. Additionally, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will add two new members from California and one from Texas.
2024: West Coast Conference Membership
As of 2024, all full members of the West Coast Conference will be Christian colleges and universities located in the Pacific Time Zone.