College athletes are compensated, local referees are determining eligibility, the NCAA tournament doors are widening.
If we’ve learned anything about college sports in recent years, it’s that nothing is sacred.
The name, image and likeness went into effect in the early 2020s, allowing athletes to sign endorsement deals and use their platform to get paid or partner with third-party NIL collectives. Then, in June 2025, Home vs. NCAA solution allowed schools to hand over a portion (up to 22%) of their revenue to athletes. Additional changes have included opening the transfer portal after the NCAA Championship, for a 15-day window.
Now, ahead of the 2026-27 season, as college basketball continues to evolve, there are a host of new changes to keep track of that are sure to affect outcomes across the sport.
Here are the most important rule changes.
Steven Pearl and Auburn were one of the first four teams out of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
College basketball decided to follow college football and expand its postseason. The last time the NCAA expanded its college basketball tournament was in 2011, when it went from 64 teams to 68, introducing the first games of the Four in Dayton, Ohio. Now the NCAA is adding eight at-large bids, expanding to a 76-team field with a method similar to that change 15 years ago. The NCAA is adding a 12-game, 24-team opening round in place of the First Four.
From there, the format will remain the same: Round of 64, Round of 32, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four and national championship game.
Looking at KenPom’s net ratings, these 2025-26 teams likely would have qualified for a 76-team field on the men’s side:
- Auburn Tigers (22-16)
- Oklahoma Sooners (21-16)
- Cincinnati Bearcats (18-15)
- Indiana Hoosiers (18-14)
- New Mexico Lobos (26-11)
- San Diego State Aztecs (22-11)
- Baylor Bears (17-17)
- Seton Hall Pirates (21-12)
With the new 76-team field, at-large teams with records close to .500 will sneak into the NCAA Tournament. A handful of mid-major teams that didn’t win their conference could also be rewarded. Remember, this doesn’t just reward the more mediocre teams, as these programs will still have to face each other for the right to play higher seeds and have the chance at March-style upsets, but it’s odd to see teams with mediocre records get a chance to extend their seasons.
Additionally, the NCAA will be able to televise more games. This could also result in more non-conference games early in the season, as these programs may feel more comfortable and have more leeway to stumble against quality opposition.
Transfer Portal Changes
Dusty May was hired as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks after leading the Michigan Wolverines to the 2026 NCAA title. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Last January, the NCAA moved the transfer portal to open after the NCAA Tournament ends, hoping to prevent Final Four teams from losing players while competing for a championship. This will remain the same in 2026-2027. Another change to the transfer portal – which we’ve already seen come into play this off-season – is the impact on players following a coaching change. When a coaching change occurs, regardless of timing, the NCAA will open a 15-day window for players on the team that loses its coach. However, that 15-day window will open just five days after the new coach, interim or official, is announced. If no official coach is announced within 30 days of the previous one’s launch, the 15-day portal window will open on that 31st day. This allows a grace period for the new coach to retain the current players.
Here are some recent examples and how the programs were affected:
- Dusty May leaves Michigan: On June 22, the Dallas Mavericks hired former Dusty May. Michigan then promoted assistant Mike Boynton to interim head coach and then promoted him to head coach, agreeing to a two-year deal on July 10. A 15-day portal window on July 15, five days after Boynton’s post became official. Michigan lost one player in that slot – LJ Cason, who transferred to Miami.
- Dana Altman Retired from Oregon: On October 7, 2026, Dana Altman retired as Oregon’s head coach. The Ducks promoted assistant Tony Stubblefield to interim head coach. A 15-day transfer window is open, but no Oregon players have entered. With the season starting on Monday, Nov. 1, most rosters are set, giving them few options if they want to leave.
Eligibility model based on age
Roddy Gayle Jr. was granted a TRO and returned to Michigan for a fifth year. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)
The NCAA created the “age eligibility model” in June 2026. The rule allows all college athletes five years of eligibility from the time they enroll in school or age 19. It eliminates the use of red shirts.
Importantly, the NCAA did not accept players whose eligibility clock expired after the 2025-26 season. The “age eligibility model” does not apply to them.
Many of those players objected to this. They partnered with lawyers and law firms, becoming plaintiffs in state court lawsuits across the country to fight the NCAA for another year of eligibility. Local judges heard arguments from both sides and granted most of the players a temporary injunction, awarding them another year of eligibility. Complaints from the NCAA followed. Some local judges obliged, adjourning the cases, while others allowed the original decision to go through. Some players who were granted eligibility transferred to new schools, others returned to their previous schools.
The NCAA, however, showed — and continues to show — no sign of implementing a fast-track new rule that applies to 2026 graduates. Several conferences stepped in, creating their own boundaries.
But with the start of the season approaching, appeals from both sides continue to pour in. Therefore, eligible players may lose eligibility and ineligible players.
Here’s a look at some examples:
- Roddy Gayle Jr. (suitable, returned to Michigan)
- Darrion Williams (eligible, transferred from NC State to Texas Tech)
- RJ Godfrey (ineligible, transferred Clemson to Arizona)
