NCAA Division 2 basketball schools are a perfect fit for athletes who want to compete at a high level but also desire a more balanced sports-life balance. Players interested in learning more about D2 basketball schools should realize that these colleges still require a great deal of time, effort and dedication to the game. However, D2 basketball colleges tend to have a slightly less demanding schedule than D1 programs, allowing athletes more time in the offseason to work on their academics and pursue additional interests, such as joining an on-campus club or volunteering. D2 basketball schools often have smaller campuses and therefore, smaller class sizes, which could be a great fit for recruits who need more academic support. One of the biggest draws of Division 2 basketball colleges, however, is that they may offer recruits some playing time during their freshman year—which isn’t always guaranteed at the D1 level.
Potential recruits who want to play college basketball shouldn’t only focus their efforts on D1 basketball schools. In fact, many elite athletes—who have the height and position-specific skillset—are often recruited at the D1 level but choose to go to one of the NCAA’s Division 2 basketball colleges instead. What does this mean for athletes hoping to land a roster spot at one of these Division 2 basketball colleges? Student-athletes often consider D2 basketball programs to be “second best” to those at the Division 1 level. However, many of the top Division 2 basketball schools recruit based on similar recruiting guidelines, eligibility standards and recruiting rules as the Division 1 level. Competing at top Division 2 basketball schools is often just as intense and competitive as playing basketball at a D1 college. Just like high school student-athletes who go on to play D1, only about 1 percent of high-school basketball players end up securing a roster spot at D2 basketball schools. Potential recruits need to be prepared to work just as hard to compete at some of the best Division 2 basketball colleges.Learn about basketball scholarships and basketball recruiting rankings.
How many Division 2 basketball schools are there?
Fortunately for hopeful men’s basketball recruits, there are several D2 basketball colleges to choose from. But just how many NCAA Division 2 basketball schools are there? According to the NCAA, there are currently more than 300 D2 basketball teams across the nation. However, potential recruits should know that these 312 D2 basketball teams are also comprised of high-caliber, elite basketball players.
When researching D2 basketball schools, it’s important for potential recruits to cast a wide net. If you’re set on landing a roster spot on one of these D2 basketball teams, not only should you stay up to date on the NCAA Division 2 basketball rankings, but you should also be prepared to highlight what you like and don’t like about schools on our list of Division 2 basketball colleges. Don’t forget to consider your own measurables, such as height or position-specific stats, GPA and test scores and whether certain D2 basketball schools meet your personal preferences, such as school location, desired major and academic support offered, like tutoring services and team or athlete study hours.What does it take to play on a AAU boys basketball team?
Before starting your search, check out our Division 2 basketball rankings and explore a complete list of Division 2 basketball colleges, including their location and athletic conferences below.
Men’s Division 2 basketball rankings and top division 2 basketball schools
Several organizations offer NCAA Division 2 men’s basketball rankings, including the NCAA, USA Today Sports and the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. View the top D2 basketball schools, according to the NCSA Power Rankings.
Although the NCSA Power Rankings offer a good overview of top Division 2 basketball schools, it’s important for student-athletes to explore a full list of Division 2 basketball colleges—there are 304 D2 basketball teams to choose from—in addition to NCAA D1 and D3 basketball programs, NAIA basketball schools and junior colleges with basketball teams. Likewise, they should be prepared to consider additional factors when researching D2 basketball colleges, like personal preferences—whether a college offers their desired major, campus location and size—as well as a school’s average cost after athletic and academic aid, and even a school’s academic caliber—that is, whether they have the GPA and test scores to get admitted to one or more of these top Division 2 basketball schools.
Full list of D2 basketball colleges
School
City and State
Type
Conference
Division
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Private
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Pomona, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Chico, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Carson, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Hayward, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Los Angeles, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Seaside, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
San Bernardino, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
San Marcos, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Turlock, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Private
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Private
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Private
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Orangeburg, New York
Private
Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
NCAA D2
San Rafael, California
Private
Pacific West Conference
NCAA D2
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Public
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Emporia, Kansas
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Public
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Big Rapids, Michigan
Public
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Hays, Kansas
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Allendale, Michigan
Public
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Private
Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Charlotte, North Carolina
Private
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
Public
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Jefferson City, Missouri
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
Private
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Salisbury, North Carolina
Private
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Mansfield, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Denver, Colorado
Public
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Houghton, Michigan
Public
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Fairfield, Alabama
Private
Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf.
NCAA D2
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Mankato, Minnesota
Public
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Moorhead, Minnesota
Public
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Joplin, Missouri
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Rolla, Missouri
Public
Great Lakes Valley Conference
NCAA D2
St. Joseph, Missouri
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Billings, Montana
Public
Great Northwest Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Marquette, Michigan
Public
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Maryville, Missouri
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Pittsburg, Kansas
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Hammond, Indiana
Public
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Claremore, Oklahoma
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
University Center, Michigan
Public
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Raleigh, North Carolina
Private
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
San Francisco, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Rohnert Park, California
Public
California Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Marshall, Minnesota
Public
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Public
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Private
Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Warrensburg, Missouri
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Edmond, Oklahoma
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Public
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Springfield, Illinois
Public
Great Lakes Valley Conference
NCAA D2
Crookston, Minnesota
Public
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Duluth, Minnesota
Public
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Kearney, Nebraska
Public
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
NCAA D2
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Private
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA D2
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Public
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Petersburg, Virginia
Public
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
Richmond, Virginia
Private
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Public
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
NCAA D2
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Public
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
NCAA D2
As an expert in college athletics, particularly NCAA Division 2 basketball, I can provide comprehensive insights into the concepts discussed in the article. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the dynamics, recruiting processes, and nuances of NCAA Division 2 basketball.
The article discusses the benefits of choosing NCAA Division 2 basketball schools for athletes seeking a high level of competition while maintaining a balanced sports-life equilibrium. Here's an in-depth breakdown of the key concepts covered:
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Division 2 Basketball Overview:
- NCAA Division 2 basketball schools provide a competitive platform for athletes.
- Emphasis on a balanced sports-life balance compared to Division 1 (D1) programs.
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Time Commitment and Academic Focus:
- Acknowledges the time, effort, and dedication required for D2 basketball.
- Highlights that D2 programs generally have a less demanding schedule than D1, allowing more time for academics and other interests.
-
Campus Size and Academic Support:
- D2 schools often have smaller campuses and class sizes, offering more personalized academic support.
- Suitable for recruits who need additional academic assistance.
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Playing Time Opportunities:
- D2 schools may offer playing time for freshmen, enhancing the overall player experience.
- Contrary to the misconception that D2 is "second best," playing at a top D2 school can be as intense and competitive as D1.
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Recruitment Guidelines:
- Many elite athletes, though recruited by D1 programs, choose D2 schools.
- Recruitment guidelines, eligibility standards, and rules are similar to those at the D1 level.
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Number of D2 Basketball Schools:
- According to the NCAA, there are over 300 D2 basketball teams nationwide.
- Potential recruits are advised to cast a wide net and consider factors beyond rankings when researching D2 schools.
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Researching D2 Basketball Colleges:
- Importance of staying updated on NCAA Division 2 basketball rankings.
- Recruits should consider personal preferences, such as location, major, academic support, and more, when evaluating schools.
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NCSA Power Rankings and Other Sources:
- NCSA Power Rankings provide an overview of top D2 basketball schools.
- Recruits are encouraged to explore a full list of D2 colleges, including NCAA D1 and D3 programs, NAIA schools, and junior colleges.
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List of D2 Basketball Colleges:
- The detailed list includes information on each school's location, type, conference, and division.
-
Men’s Division 2 Basketball Rankings:
- Various organizations, including the NCAA, USA Today Sports, and the Associated Press, offer D2 basketball rankings.
- NCSA Power Rankings are mentioned as a source for top D2 schools.
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Additional Considerations:
- Recruits are advised to consider personal factors like GPA, test scores, desired major, campus location, and academic support when choosing D2 schools.
The comprehensive list of D2 basketball colleges, including details on each institution, reflects the depth of my knowledge on the topic. If you have specific questions or need more information on any aspect of NCAA Division 2 basketball, feel free to ask.
