College basketball’s regular season is bumping up to 32 games for 2026-27, but if you ask the guys actually running the teams, it’s still not enough. A whole bunch of coaches polled in the recent Candid Coaches series are pushing for even more action on the court, making it clear this debate is far from over.
The Game Limit Just Got an Upgrade, But So Did Ambition
Remember those 20 consecutive seasons where 31 games was the max? Yeah, that just ended this past March. For years, teams played anywhere from 26 to 30 games, with coaches having different ideas about how deep their regular seasons would run. Now, for 2026-27, teams can hit 32 games any way they want, not just through those multi-game events. This new rule has some big-name programs like Connecticut, Duke, Arizona, North Carolina, and Florida already scheduling up with another notable non-conference matchup. Those are the teams looking to seize every advantage. Of course, some others just tossed another Quad 4 game onto the schedule, which could totally backfire come Selection Sunday. We’ll see how that plays out.
Coaches Are Split, But a Ton Want More Action
So, is 32 games enough? That’s what the Candid Coaches survey asked nearly 100 men’s Division I coaches, and the results are wild. Only 2% wanted fewer than 30 games. A big chunk, 47%, felt 30-32 was about right. But check this out: 30% wanted 33-35 games, 5% pushed for 36-39, and a massive 16% were all-in for 40 or more games! That’s almost half the coaches wanting more than the current 32-game limit.
The quotes are even better. One coach straight up said, “Twenty-eight, plus four exhibitions/scrimmages and a four-game [college basketball] summer league.” Talk about thinking big! But it’s not unanimous. Another coach, feeling the squeeze, said, “Just finished our scheduling in the last two weeks. We’re cramming and to me it feels like we could use one less game.” And then there’s the middle ground: “Thirty-two seems to be a good number. Going to have to change the start or the ending if you add much more. Calendar will get packed.” It’s clear everyone has a different idea of the sweet spot.
It’s clear college hoops coaches are thinking big when it comes to the regular season. With the calendar already packed for some and others practically begging for more games, the conversation about quality over quantity, and how many games that truly takes, is just getting started. It’s gonna be a hot topic for a while, that’s for sure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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