With more than 600 men’s and women’s NCAA Division II basketball teams across the country, there are plenty of players to keep an eye on this season.

Grand Valley State enters the 2026-27 season where it finished the last one, at the top. The Lakers won their second straight Division 2 national championship last March, beating Indiana (PA) 72-49 in the title game. GVSU went 36-1 and returns All-American MacKenzie Bisballe, making them the clear preseason No. 1.

Division II basketball is underway, and the nonconference schedule has title contenders, tournament rematches and cross-region tests on deck for both men’s and women’s teams.

The Midwest is home to 131 NCAA Division II and 231 Division III men’s and women’s basketball teams across 12 states. That’s 362 teams with national title hopes, so good luck watching them all. Here are five to keep on your radar during the 2026-27 season.

College basketball is almost back, and Division III will be among the first to get the ball bouncing in November.

We can officially say that basketball starts “next month,” and if that doesn’t excite you, I’m not sure what will.

The Lone Star Conference continues to have a huge presence on the biggest stage in women’s college basketball and sent five teams to the 2026 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship.

The NCAA Division II women’s basketball tournament has produced more than four decades of elite teams, dynasties and historic seasons.

Championship races are tightening, regular seasons are wrapping, and conference tournaments are tipping off — which means this weekend is loaded with high-stakes women’s basketball across Division I, Division II and Division III.

Winning back-to-back national championships in college basketball is a rare feat, especially in the era of the transfer portal. Grand Valley State, however, has positioned itself well to potentially do just that.

If you’re a fan of small-school college athletics, you know that December is a perfect time to kick off the season strong, and this week, FloCollege is bringing you a slate of high-stakes games featuring multiple nationally ranked teams from the latest WBCA poll.

Lake Superior State looks to build momentum in 2025–26 after being picked 10th in the GLIAC preseason poll. The Lakers finished 5–23 overall and 2–13 in league play last season.

Purdue Northwest enters its second year under head coach Jesse Ford with a clearer identity and renewed confidence. The Pride were picked 11th in the GLIAC preseason poll.

Roosevelt surprised opponents last season, finishing sixth in its GLIAC debut. The Lakers were picked eighth in this year’s preseason poll after a 12–15 campaign.

Davenport enters the 2025–26 season with optimism under fourth-year head coach Shonda Sanders. The Panthers were picked ninth in the GLIAC preseason poll after a 6–22 campaign that included four league wins.