A Comprehensive Overview of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship

The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament, officially styled as a "Championship" by the NCAA, is an annual highlight for colleges and universities belonging to NCAA Division II. This division comprises institutions across the United States (and one in Canada) that are generally smaller than those in Division I. Established in 1957, following the NCAA's division of its member schools into the University Division (now Division I) and College Division, the tournament was initially known as the NCAA College Division Basketball Championship.

Tournament Structure and Bidding Process

Like all NCAA basketball divisions for both men and women, the Division II champion is determined through a single-elimination tournament. Typically, the tournament involves 64 teams. A notable difference between the Division II tournaments and those of Divisions I and III lies in the finals format: Division II features eight teams in the finals, compared to four in the other two divisions.

Each year, 64 bids are available for the tournament. These are divided into 23 automatic bids, awarded to the champions of each Division II all-sports conference, and 41 at-large bids. The bids are allocated evenly among the eight NCAA-designated regions: Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast, and West. Each region, except the South Central, contains three of the 23 Division II conferences that sponsor men's basketball; the South Central region contains only two conferences.

Media Coverage

CBS Sports holds the broadcasting rights to the semi-final and final rounds of the Division II tournament. The semi-final games are broadcast on CBS Sports Network, while the final is aired on CBS as part of the NCAA March Madness package.

List of NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament Bids by School

Below is a comprehensive list of NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament bids by school, current through the conclusion of the 2025 tournament. This list includes appearances made by schools in the NCAA College Division Men's Basketball Tournament, the predecessor to the current Division II and Division III tournaments. School names reflect their current athletic program names, which may differ from those used during a school's tournament appearances.

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St.
St.
Concordia-St.

(Note: A more complete list would follow here if provided).

Teams Awaiting Their First Tournament Bid

As of 2025, the following active Division II teams are still awaiting their first tournament bids. Point Park is ineligible for the NCAA tournament until 2027-28.

LIU Post(C.W.
Mount St.
St.
St.
St.
Washington-St.
St. Andrews(St.
St.
St.
Stephen F.

Schools Affected by the Canceled 2020 Tournament

The following teams qualified for the 2020 NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

(List of teams would be included here if provided)

Program Mergers

LIU Brooklyn and LIU Post ceased to exist as separate programs in 2019 when Long Island University merged the two campuses' athletic programs, creating the current LIU Sharks.

Championship Game Locations

Philips Arena in Atlanta, now known as State Farm Arena, has hosted the championship game.
State Farm Arena was scheduled as the site of the championship game.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse has been selected as the site of the championship game.
Mount St.
Mount St.
St.
D. J.

Historical Context and Evolution

The establishment of the NCAA College Division Basketball Championship in 1957 marked a significant moment in collegiate athletics, catering to institutions that were smaller than their Division I counterparts. Over the years, this tournament has provided a platform for numerous schools and athletes to showcase their talents and compete for a national title. The evolution of the tournament, including the change in its name and the adjustments to its structure, reflects the ongoing development of the NCAA and its commitment to providing opportunities for student-athletes at all levels.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

Memorable Moments and Key Teams

Throughout its history, the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship has been the stage for numerous memorable moments and has seen the rise of several dominant teams. Kentucky Wesleyan, for example, has a storied history in the tournament, though one of their championships was later forfeited. Bellarmine also achieved national championship glory. Augustana won the 2016 NCAA Division II men's basketball championship, while Northwest Missouri State and Ferris State have also claimed titles in recent years.

The Tournament's Impact on Division II Athletics

The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship plays a crucial role in the overall landscape of Division II athletics. It provides a national platform for smaller colleges and universities to gain recognition and showcase their athletic programs. The tournament also serves as a source of pride for participating institutions and their communities.

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