College Basketball Realignment 2025: Teams & Dates

Breaking: college Basketball Conference Realignment Set for 2025-26 Season

The landscape of college basketball is onc again shifting. conference realignment continues to be a dominant force, shaping the future of collegiate athletics.As the 2025-26 season approaches, significant changes are on the horizon, although less dramatic compared to the previous year’s high-major shakeups.

Only five schools are officially on the move this time around, with no immediate alterations impacting the high-major level. These adjustments, effective July 1, promise to bring fresh dynamics to various conferences.

Key Conference Realignment Changes for 2025-26

Several noteworthy shifts are set to redefine conference compositions. Seattle’s move to the West Coast Conference (WCC) stands out. The University of New Haven is transitioning to Division I. Several moves are centered around bolstering football programs.

• Seattle: Moving from the WAC to the WCC.
• Delaware: Transitioning from the CAA to Conference USA (CUSA).
• Missouri State: Switching from the MVC to CUSA.
• New Haven: Making the leap from division II to the NEC.
• umass: Moving from the Atlantic 10 to the MAC.

Seattle Joins the WCC

seattle’s arrival temporarily expands the WCC to 12 basketball teams. This expansion is a prelude to Gonzaga’s departure for the Pac-12 in the 2026-27 season. Oregon State and Washington State will also join Gonzaga in the reformed Pac-12. The upcoming season marks their second and final year as temporary WCC members.

This temporary addition brings both excitement and a sense of transition to the WCC. The conference will enjoy a season with a bolstered lineup, spearheaded by Gonzaga.

Did You Know? The WCC achieved a record-high No.7 ranking in KenPom’s conference rankings last season, fueled by the temporary inclusion of Oregon State and Washington State.

New Haven Transitions to Division I

The University of New Haven is set to begin its transition from Division II to Division I. Despite a 12-17 record in D-II last season, The Chargers reached the D-II Elite Eight in 2023.

Football-Centric Moves: delaware, Missouri State, and UMass

Delaware and Missouri State are joining Conference USA, primarily to elevate their football programs to the football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). UMass is also moving to the MAC.

While the MAC move represents a basketball downgrade for UMass, it secures a conference home for their previously autonomous football program.These changes reflect a broader trend of prioritizing football within conference realignments.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on how these football-centric moves impact overall athletic department budgets and resource allocation.

Reflecting on the 2024-25 Realignment Wave

The 2024-25 season witnessed a significant realignment wave. Ten former Pac-12 members joined three different high-major leagues. This led to record numbers in brand-name leagues.

the SEC, for example, sent a record 14 teams to the NCAA Tournament. This included its two new members, Oklahoma and Texas.

Life in a new league proved challenging for many.Both Oklahoma and Texas finished with 6-12 records in SEC play.

Out of the 13 high-major schools in their first season in a new conference last season, only UCLA, SMU, and Stanford improved their league winning percentage compared to 2024.

Performance of teams After Conference Changes

How did teams fare after switching conferences last season? Let’s take a look at some of the key changes and their impact on performance.

school	2023-24	2024-25
Arizona	Pac-12 (27-9, 15-5 – Sweet 16)	Big 12 (24-13, 14-6 – Sweet 16)
Arizona State	Pac-12 (14-18, 8-12)	Big 12 (13-20, 4-16)
California	Pac-12 (13-19, 9-11)	ACC (14-19, 6-14)
Chicago State	Independent (13-19)	NEC (4-28, 4-12)
Colorado	Pac-12 (26-11, 13-7 – Second round)	Big 12 (14-21, 3-17)
Kennesaw State	ASUN (15-16, 6-10)	Conference USA (19-14, 10-8)
mercyhurst	DII PSAC (15-16, 11-11)	NEC (15-16, 9-7)
Merrimack	NEC (21-12, 13-3)	MAAC (18-15, 14-6)

The Enduring Impact of Conference Realignment

Conference realignment is not just a short-term phenomenon. It has profound and lasting effects on the competitive balance. It also affects financial stability, and overall landscape of college sports. These changes impact everything from recruiting strategies to television deals. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fans, coaches, and administrators alike.

As conferences evolve, so too will the strategies and approaches of the teams within them. The ability to adapt and thrive in a changing surroundings will be key to long-term success.

Frequently Asked Questions About College Basketball conference Changes

1. What are the main college basketball conference realignment changes for the 2025-26 season?

   Seattle Joins The Wcc, While Delaware and Missouri State Move To Conference Usa For Football. UMass transitions To The Mac, Impacting Their Basketball Program.

2. How Will Gonzaga’s Future Move To The Pac-12 Affect The Wcc?

   Gonzaga’s Departure To The Pac-12 In 2026-27 Will Reduce The Wcc To Nine Members. This Marks A Significant Shift For The Conference.

3. Why Is umass Moving To The Mac,And What Does It Mean For Their Basketball Program?

   Umass’s Move To The Mac Primarily Benefits Its Football Program. Though, It’s Considered A Downgrade For Their Basketball Program.

4. which Schools Are Joining Conference Usa, And What Sport are These Moves Focused On?

   Delaware And Missouri State Are Joining Conference Usa. These Moves Primarily Focused On Enhancing Their Football Programs.

5. What Impact Did The 2024-25 Conference Realignment Have On Teams’ Performance In Their New Leagues?

   Only Ucla, Smu, And Stanford Achieved A Better League winning Percentage. This Indicates A Challenging Transition For Most Teams.

What’s Your Take?

What do you think about these conference realignment changes? How will they impact your favorite teams? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Here are three PAA (Programmatic Assessment of Submission) related questions based on the provided text, each on a new line:

College Basketball Realignment 2025: Shifting Sands of NCAA Basketball

College basketball realignment is a dynamic process, constantly reshaping the landscape of NCAA athletics. In 2025, several key moves are set to impact the structure of conferences and the competitive balance across the country including notable conference realignment news that will change fan perceptions and rivalries. this article will provide an in-depth look at the anticipated changes, keeping you informed about the teams involved, the new conference structures, and the crucial dates to watch. We’ll cover everything from Pac-12 realignment rumors to the impact on the ACC. Stay ahead of the game!

Teams on the Move: Anticipated Conference Transfers

The 2025 college basketball realignment will see significant movement among teams across different conferences. These changes are often driven by factors such as media rights deals, athletic performance, and strategic partnerships. Below are the major shifts that are expected to be finalized that season. These college basketball conference changes will impact the top 25 college basketball teams and the overall conference dynamics. Many are talking about the future of college basketball conferences.

Key Transferring teams and Their Destinations

Anticipated movements include both additions and departures, with implications for the competitive landscape of each new conference. Discussions are always ongoing, but here are the rumored possibilities.

Current Team	Expected New Conference	Significance
University of Arizona	Big 12 Conference	Adds a strong program to the Big 12’s basketball lineup.
University of Utah	Big 12 conference	Enhances the big 12’s overall talent pool.
University of Stanford	ACC	Boosts the value for media deals and conference prestige.
University of California	ACC	Creates new travel challenges and new rivalry potential, a change in the NCAA basketball conference structure.

Conference Realignment: A Detailed Overview

The realignment in NCAA basketball in 2025 aims to improve conference competitiveness, media revenue, and overall brand value. Several conferences are expected to see significant adjustments. Understanding the NCAA conference structures is vital for basketball enthusiasts.

Conference by conference Breakdown

detailed information to understand the current status and predictions for each of the impacting conferences:

• Big 12 Conference: The conference is proactively expanding into the Southwest adding new members. The expansion strategy is driven by a bid to improve media deals and a strong basketball brand
• ACC: The ACC is expected to add Western schools to their conference.
• Pac-12: Expected to lose programs to other conferences with uncertain future

Important Dates and Deadlines to Watch

Staying informed about the key dates and deadlines related to college basketball realignment is crucial for fans and analysts alike. These dates influence the timing of the conference moves and the opportunities for action,impacting the college basketball schedules and the overall NCAA basketball season.

Key Dates to Monitor

Here’s a timeline of pivotal dates:

1. February 2025: Last day for teams to formally announce conference intentions prior to the spring recruiting period.
2. March 2025: NCAA Tournament Selection Committee decision-impact is made based on realignment changes.
3. July 2025: Official start date for conference membership changes. This is the effective date for the initial team movement decisions.

Impact on the College Basketball Landscape

The implications of college basketball realignment 2025 are far-reaching. These changes will influence not only team matchups and scheduling but will also affect media rights, recruiting strategies, and the overall excitement surrounding college basketball. The future of college basketball is in the balance.

Benefits and Considerations of Realignment

There are several positive aspects and potential drawbacks of the conference realignment.

• Improved Competitive Balance: New conference configurations can lead to more balanced competition, generating interest among fans.
• Enhanced Media Revenue: Stronger conference line-ups may fetch a higher price for media rights deals, and are vital for the sustainability of college programs.
• Travel Challenges: travel distance for games create some hardships for athletes and staff.

Practical tips for Following Realignment News

To stay updated on college basketball‘s exciting changes, here are some expert recommendations.

• Follow reputable Sports News Sources: Stay updated by following sources specializing in college sports.
• Subscribe to Relevant Podcasts: Podcasts, like The Field of 68, offer the most timely and in-depth analysis.
• Engage on Social Media: Follow conference and team official accounts.