When Does the College Basketball Season Start?

The Duke mascot and cheerleaders perform on the court during the second half of a second-round college basketball game against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The 2025-26 college basketball season will begin on November 3.

Generally speaking, the nonconference portion of the college basketball season stretches from the first week of November through the last week of December. After that, conference play begins.

Conference tournaments that determine March Madness automatic bids usually start at the end of February or the beginning of March.

NCAA Tournament betting lines are finally released once the tournament is revealed on Selection Sunday.

NCAA Basketball Season Schedule & Dates

Event2025-26 Season Dates
Regular Season BeginsNov. 3, 2025
Conference Season BeginsLate December 2025
Conference Tournaments BeginEarly March 2026
Selection SundayMarch 15, 2026
First NCAA Tournament GameMarch 17, 2026
Men's National Championship April 6, 2026

Updated College Basketball Odds

The BetMGM online sportsbook is the premier destination for basketball odds throughout the year, including college basketball odds.

With futures like national championship odds and Wooden Award odds to daily betting on spreads, moneylines, and over/under totals, there’s non-stop entertainment.

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About the Author Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.