Top College Basketball Teams of 2025-26 by Viewership
The 2025-26 college basketball season is already buzzing. Fans and analysts are glued to their screens, watching which teams are grabbing the spotlight.
Nielsen’s latest numbers just dropped, revealing the top 10 most-watched men’s and women’s basketball programs. The Big Ten and SEC? They’re everywhere in these rankings.
This list, pulling viewership from ESPN, Fox, NBC, and Warner Bros., shows which teams have really hooked audiences as of January 18, 2026. If you want to see the full breakdown and which schools made it, check out the details on USA Today.
Big Ten and SEC Dominate the Rankings
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The Big Ten’s made a huge splash in viewership this year. Four men’s teams and four women’s teams from the conference landed in the top 10.
The SEC isn’t far behind, showing up with three men’s teams and two women’s teams. It’s tough to argue with the excitement these conferences bring to the court.
Big Ten Teams Leading the Pack
Big Ten squads have some seriously loyal fans. Michigan State, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan all made the men’s list, proving their broad appeal.
On the women’s side, Iowa, Maryland, and USC (yep, now a Big Ten member) have pulled in big numbers. The conference keeps proving its influence in college hoops.
SEC’s Strong Showing
The SEC’s not just about football. Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee men’s teams have drawn big crowds.
For the women, South Carolina and Texas have also pulled strong viewership. The talent and competition here? Pretty hard to ignore.
ACC and Big 12 Make Their Mark
The Big Ten and SEC might dominate, but the ACC and Big 12 aren’t missing from the conversation. The ACC features two men’s programs: Duke and North Carolina. No surprise there, right?
The Big 12 shows up on the women’s side with Iowa State and Baylor. These teams are making waves and getting noticed.
ACC’s Basketball Legacy
Duke and North Carolina keep their spots in the rankings, as expected. Their history and passionate fan bases speak for themselves.
They keep delivering high-level play and have built traditions that fans just can’t quit.
Big 12’s Rising Influence
Iowa State and Baylor have had strong seasons, landing them in the women’s top 10. The Big 12’s presence here says a lot about how competitive their women’s basketball has become.
No School Repeats Across Top-10 Lists
Here’s something you don’t see every year: not a single school appears on both the men’s and women’s top-10 lists. That kind of variety is refreshing.
It shows just how many programs have managed to pull in fans this season, each with their own story, stars, and style.
Unique Appeal of Each Program
Take Michigan State’s long basketball history or South Carolina’s run in women’s hoops—every team here brings something different. Maybe that’s what keeps college basketball unpredictable and fun.
Impact on Recruitment and Exposure
Piling up big viewership numbers helps these programs in more ways than one. Top recruits want that spotlight, and schools with big audiences become even more appealing.
More eyes on the games can mean better sponsorships and extra financial backing for these teams. Not a bad place to be, honestly.
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Conclusion: The Future of College Basketball Viewership
The 2025-26 college basketball season is shaping up to be unpredictable. Will these viewership trends stick around, or are we in for some surprises?
The Big Ten and SEC keep dominating, while the ACC and Big 12 aren’t far behind. Yet, when you look at the top-10 lists, it’s clear that new teams still have a shot at grabbing everyone’s attention.
Fans and analysts are always watching these shifts. Who knows—maybe your favorite underdog will break through this year. The season’s already buzzing with storylines, and it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement.
If you want a deep dive into the most-watched college basketball teams this season, check out the full article on USA Today.