College basketball set to expand regular season in coming years, per report
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College basketball teams will soon be able to play 32 regular season games each year, according to a report.
That’s per CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, who notes that the change would begin with the 2026-27 regular season. Teams will not be required to play 32 regular season games, although Norlander reports that “most” programs are expected to do so.
Previously, teams were limited to 29 regular-season games unless they played in a multi-team event (MTE), in-which case they could play as many as 31 games. Under this proposal, teams would be able to play as many as 32 regular-season contests regardless of whether or not they participate in an MTE.
MTEs have fallen out of favor over the past couple of seasons for a variety of reasons. Notably, Dan Hurley said UConn would stop playing in the events after the Huskies crashed out of the Maui Invitational last year. Other examples of MTE tournaments include the Battle 4 Atlantis. Hall of Fame Classic and the Players Era Festival.
According to Norlander’s reporting, the extra game is expected to result in more high-profile nonconference games each season. It would also mean additional revenue for high-major programs who are playing in home or neutral-site games.
This rule change is expected to be finalized by the NCAA Division I Council on Wednesday.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
