When Does College Basketball Start?

The 2022-23 college basketball season will start on November 7th. If you’re a fan and can’t wait for the season to begin, here are some things you need to know about the upcoming year!

Athletes practicing for college basketball season.

When Does the College Basketball Season Start?

The upcoming men’s college basketball regular season will begin on November 7th, 2022 with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights holding a multi-team event. The opponents include the Columbia Lions, Sacred Heart Pioneers, and UMass Lowell River Hawks. The whole event will run until November 16th and be hosted at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey.

However, it’s important to note that there could always be an earlier game scheduled, so November 7th is just the current “start date.”

What Changes Are in the Upcoming 2022-23 College Basketball Season?

There are a few changes coming with the upcoming college basketball season. Flopping, for example, is now a Class B technical foul automatically – it used to be a warning first. Live and pre-recorded streams will be available at team benches and conferences will be allowed to experiment with five time-outs for media per half going forward.

Sallie Mae logo.

3 Repayment Options

Variable rates from 5.54% - 15.70% APR with auto-debit

Learn More

When Does the College Basketball Season End?

The regular season for men’s basketball will run until March 12th, 2023. The tournament (and March Madness) starts on March 14th with the championship game on April 3rd. This year it will be held at NRG Stadium in Houston.

When are March Madness Games?

The First Four round will be held on March 14th and 15th in Dayton, OH at the UD Arena. The first and second rounds will take place on the 16th through the 19th across the United States. Regional games happen between the 23rd and 26th.

The Final Four is happening between April 1st and 3rd in Houston, TX at the NRG Stadium. The schools hosting this year’s NCAA Division I men’s basketball Final Four are University of Houston, Houston Baptist University, Texas Southern University, and Rice University. 2024’s Final Four will be happening in Phoenix, AZ.

When is the 2022-23 Women’s College Basketball Season?

The women’s basketball season will start a day later on November 8th and the regular season will end on March 12th, 2023. The tournament begins on March 14th with the final game happening on April 2nd at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

How Can You Get Tickets to College Basketball Games?

Tickets for college basketball games sell out quickly, especially day-of. Buy tickets early. Or, opt for season passes. Prices for individual games vary quite a bit from school to school, but season tickets are generally the best deal.

It’s important to note though that season tickets do not cover any March Madness games. These seats can be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis or through a lottery system. Like regular season games, these tickets will be gone quickly, so it’s important to stay abreast of any news about when they’ll come on sale!

How Can You Play Basketball in College?

Of course, first and foremost, if you want to play basketball in college, you have to have a love of the game. You’re not going to get a spot on the varsity team if you don’t have a passion for it. If you have a passing interest in the game or just want to stay active, it’s very likely your college will have a club-level basketball team you can try out for.

For those looking to enter the varsity team though, it’s important to

  • Have advanced skills. While you don’t necessarily have to have played since you were 5 years old, you definitely need the basketball skills to demonstrate you are the best of the best.
  • You should be athletic, have stamina, and be coordinated. Height helps, too, but obviously that’s something you can’t change!
  • Have good grades. Grades may not seem important to a career in basketball, but if your grades dip too low, you could lose your spot on the team. Qualifying for athletics requires a minimum grade point average.
  • Be determined. A strong work ethic is required to play any college sport. College athletes need to always be available for practices and make it one of your top priorities.

To increase your chances of making a varsity basketball team, you should be extremely active on your high school team, attend basketball training camps and clinics, and have played for a number of years.

What Schools Have Strong Basketball Programs?

The Kansas Jayhawks from the University of Kansas won the 2021-2022 college basketball tournament. Other top basketball programs from around the United States include Duke University, University of Kentucky, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, University of Florida, and University of California – Los Angeles.

TOP SCHOOLS BY BASKETBALL REVENUE

If you’re looking forward to the college basketball season, make sure to mark November 7th on your calendar! You’ll also definitely want to mark down those March Madness dates. What team will you be rooting for?

Want to learn more about the colleges that have strong basketball programs? Check out College Raptor’s free College Match tool to learn about student life, your admission chances, cost, and more.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Join thousands of students and parents learning about finding the right college, admissions secrets, scholarships, financial aid, and more.