You think you know how college basketball works because you watch the madness in March. But honestly? Division III is a different planet. There are no multi-million dollar NIL deals here. No private jets. Just a bunch of kids playing in gyms that sometimes smell like old floor wax and desperation, fighting for a spot in a poll that most of the country doesn't even know exists.
If you’re looking at division three basketball rankings right now, you’re likely seeing a lot of names you recognize and a few that make you tilt your head. As of mid-January 2026, the hierarchy is shifting. The early-season "paper tigers" are getting exposed in conference play, and the real grinders are starting to separate themselves.
The Chaos of the Top 25
Trinity (Conn.) is currently sitting on top of the men's D3hoops.com Top 25, and they aren't just winning; they’re suffocating people. They entered the week 14-0. When you look at their defensive efficiency, it’s basically a masterclass in not letting the other team breathe. But being No. 1 in January is a heavy crown. Ask Randolph-Macon. They were right there at the top before a couple of slips moved them down to the No. 5 spot.
Rankings in D3 aren't like the AP Poll. They are volatile.
One random Tuesday night in a tiny gym in Ohio can ruin a month of perfection. Case in point: UW-Stevens Point was looking like a lock for a deep run until they ran into a buzzsaw against UW-Stout, losing 83-67. That’s the WIAC for you. People call it the "SEC of Division III" for a reason. You can be the 11th-ranked team in the nation and get your doors blown off by a team with a losing record just because it’s a Wednesday.
Men’s Top 5 Reality Check (Week 6, 2025-26)
- Trinity (Conn.): The unanimous heavyweight. 14-0.
- Chicago: Climbing the ladder at 11-1. Their offense is surprisingly fluid this year.
- Emory: Also 11-1. They play a style that's just... hard to prep for on a short turnaround.
- Mount Union: 15-0. They’ve been perfect, but the OAC schedule is about to get nasty.
- Randolph-Macon: 12-1. They dropped, but anyone who thinks they aren't a title threat hasn't been paying attention for the last decade.
Why the Coaches Poll Matters (and why it doesn't)
Over on the women’s side, the WBCA Coaches Poll is telling a very specific story about NYU. They are 12-0 and look nearly invincible. It’s almost boring how good they are. They have the top spot locked down, followed closely by Scranton and Smith.
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But here’s the thing about division three basketball rankings: the human element is huge. Coaches see things differently than the D3hoops.com writers. Coaches value consistency and "program DNA." The writers? They love a good Cinderella or a team that’s putting up 90 points a night.
Look at Johns Hopkins. Both the men’s and women’s programs are hovering around the top tier. The women are 13-0 and sitting at No. 5. They play a brand of basketball that’s basically "we will out-think you until you quit." It isn't always flashy. It doesn't always make the highlight reels on social media. But it wins.
The Women’s Power Grid
NYU is the gold standard right now. Period. But keep an eye on UW-Oshkosh. They’re 14-0 and sitting at No. 4. In the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, going 14-0 is like surviving a gauntlet of professional wrestlers. They’re battle-tested in a way that some of the East Coast teams won't be until March.
The Regional Rankings Secret
If you really want to know who is going to make the tournament, ignore the Top 25. Seriously.
The NCAA uses "Regional Rankings" to actually fill the bracket. These don't even come out until later in the season, usually February. They use a bunch of math—Strength of Schedule (SOS), Primary Criteria, and the dreaded "NPI" (NCAA Performance Indicator).
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You can be ranked 15th in the country by the writers but be 4th in your own region. If that happens, you might be sweating on Selection Monday. It’s a brutal system. It rewards teams that schedule "up." If you’re a powerhouse and you play a bunch of cupcakes, the NPI will eat you alive.
The Players Nobody is Talking About (But Should Be)
Rankings are built on the backs of individual stars. You've got guys like Jalen Overway at Calvin. He’s a double-double machine. In their recent win against Kalamazoo, he put up 25 points and 11 boards. Calvin is ranked 16th, and honestly, they might be undervalued.
Then there’s Chance Casenhiser at Mount Union. He just dropped 27 on Capital. When you have a bucket-getter like that, your team is going to stay in the division three basketball rankings regardless of how the rest of the roster plays.
On the women’s side, the depth at schools like Smith and Scranton is just silly. They don't rely on one person. They rely on a system that has been refined over twenty years.
Misconceptions About D3 Hoops
Kinda funny how people think D3 is just "high school part two."
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It’s not. These teams would crush most high-level high school teams. The speed of the game is significantly higher. The coaching is often more tactical because they can't just rely on 7-footers who are destined for the NBA. They have to run sets. They have to screen. They have to play defense.
Also, the "rankings" don't reflect the talent gap. The gap between No. 1 and No. 50 in Division III is much smaller than the gap between No. 1 and No. 50 in Division I. That’s why you see so many "upsets." It’s not an upset if the teams are actually evenly matched, regardless of the number next to their name.
How to Track the Rankings Like a Pro
If you’re trying to stay ahead of the curve, don't just check the polls on Monday morning. You’ve gotta watch the "Others Receiving Votes" section. That’s where the value is.
Teams like Hood (11-2) or Catholic (10-3) are right on the edge. They’re one big win away from jumping into the mid-teens. Hood, in particular, has an offense that can put up 100 points on you if you fall asleep. They’re currently No. 22, but their ceiling is much higher.
Key Dates to Watch
- Late January: Conference play hits the halfway mark. This is when "frauds" get exposed.
- Early February: The first NCAA Regional Rankings are released. This is the only poll that truly matters for the tournament.
- Selection Monday: March 2, 2026. The day the brackets are set.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Check the SOS: Always look at a team’s Strength of Schedule. A 12-2 team in the NESCAC or WIAC is almost always better than a 14-0 team in a weaker conference.
- Home Court is Real: In D3, "Home Court Advantage" is massive. These aren't 20,000-seat arenas. They’re small, loud boxes where the fans are three feet from the court.
- Follow the NPI: Start tracking the NCAA Performance Indicator in February. It’s the closest thing to a "crystal ball" for the tournament field.
- Watch the Injury Reports: D3 teams don't have 15-man deep rotations of elite talent. If a Top 25 team loses their starting point guard, they can fall out of the division three basketball rankings in a week.
The road to Salem, Virginia (where the men's finals are held) or the women's championship site is paved with teams that were "ranked" in January and forgotten by March. Don't get too attached to the numbers. Watch the games. The grit is in the details.
To stay truly updated, monitor the D3hoops.com weekly releases every Monday afternoon and cross-reference them with the NCAA’s official NPI data once it goes public in February.