Coaches Battle Over Longer Basketball Seasons | College Basketball News

College basketball’s regular season is heating up — literally and figuratively. Starting in 2026, teams will play 32 games, but half of the coaches polled want even more, arguing that longer seasons mean more revenue, which can fund better player compensation. Others worry about player burnout and game quality. Kentucky’s new coach Mark Pope is pushing for a 40-game season, claiming it builds chemistry and boosts academics — and he’s not alone. Some are even joking about 50 games or starting as early as Halloween. The debate is fierce, but the financial incentive is undeniable — and the push for expansion is gaining serious momentum. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e6831bcf9e73203a