Big changes coming to NAIA men's and women's basketball

A major change to NAIA men’s and women’s basketball is coming soon.

Earlier this week, the NAIA’s National Administrative Council approved a move to change the NAIA basketball national tournament format to one division and 64 teams qualifying for the national tournament. Currently, there is Division I and Division II for NAIA basketball. Montana State University-Northern, and the Frontier Conference is part of Division I.

The new format, which will go into effect for the 2020-2021 NAIA season, will feature one division for men and one for women, with a 64 team field, and 16, four-team regional sites to start the tourney. When the field is down to the final 16, there will be one site, similar to the way the NAIA currently conducts its national volleyball tournament.

The final format comes after the Divisions in Basketball Task Force nearly two-year review and recommendation for a single basketball division with potential formats. The NAC Championship sub-committee reviewed all information and data and presented the recommended format which was approved by the full NAC body.

The rationale behind the NAC's decision was that a 64 qualifier/16-team final site tournament will offer a superior student-athlete experience, as well as provide the best opportunity for cost savings and team travel reimbursement. This format also retains the same amount of national qualifiers as it did for the current two-division format.

"This is a watershed moment for our organization," NAC Chair Robert Cashell said "The membership owes a thank you to the original task force that came forward with recommendations and the NAC Championships Subcommittee for their deliberate and thoughtful approach to this change. I believe the format will provide a special student-athlete experience and continue the NAIA's tradition of offering unique championship opportunities for both men's and women's basketball."