UConn
Took the belt from Michigan, 85–77, on November 6, 2026. Next defense Wed, Nov 18.
Last belt game
Full recap →UConn successfully defended the College Basketball Belt with an 84-68 victory over Ohio State at PeoplesBank Arena. The Huskies built a slim 42-40 halftime lead before pulling away in the second half, outscoring the Buckeyes 42-28 after the break to secure the win.
Chain of custody
All 744 reigns →- UConnBeat Michigan 85–77Nov 6, 2026 –Holding
- MichiganBeat Arizona 91–73Apr 4 – Nov 6, 2026216 days · 2 def.
- ArizonaBeat Houston 79–74Mar 14 – Apr 4, 202621 days · 4 def.
- HoustonBeat Baylor 77–64Mar 4 – Mar 14, 202610 days · 3 def.
- BaylorBeat UCF 87–86Feb 28 – Mar 4, 20264 days · 0 def.
- UCFBeat BYU 97–84Feb 24 – Feb 28, 20264 days · 0 def.
Football's belt can sit with one team for a season. In hoops, a Tuesday road trip in January can end a reign. In 2025–26 it changed hands 9 times.
The belt versus the bracket
If the holder makes the NCAA tournament, the belt is guaranteed to finish with the national champion: whoever takes it keeps playing until someone knocks them out, and only the champion is never knocked out. If the holder misses the field, the belt can spend March at the NIT.
Every March since 1950 →- 1. Duke28
- 2. North Carolina24
- 3. Kentucky23
- 1. UCLA, 1970–7186 def.
- 2. UNLV, 1989–9034 def.
- 3. Indiana, 1975–7631 def.
At BYU, Sat Nov 14. On collegefootballbelt.com →
Today in belt history
All of November 14 →Stories
All stories →Belt FAQ
Who holds the College Basketball Belt?
UConn holds the College Basketball Belt. UConn took it from Michigan, 85–77, on November 6, 2026 and has defended it 2 times since (8 days and counting). It is UConn's 16th reign.
When is the next belt game?
The next belt game is UConn visits Arizona on Wed, November 18, 2026 at McKale Memorial Center. If Arizona wins, the belt changes hands; if UConn wins, it stays put.
What is the College Basketball Belt?
The College Basketball Belt is men's college basketball's lineal championship: one title, held by one program, that can only be taken by beating the holder on the court, the same idea as boxing's lineal champion. It starts with the 1949 NCAA champion, Kentucky, and has passed through 744 reigns across 2,544 belt games since. Nothing is voted on.
How does the belt change hands?
Beat the holder and the belt is yours; every other result leaves it where it is. Regular season, conference tournament and NCAA tournament games all count. If the holder is idle, the belt waits for its next game, and a holder whose season ends keeps it into the next season.
Who has held the belt the longest?
The most defenses in one reign is UCLA's, 1970–71, with 86 defenses. Duke has had the most reigns (28), and UCLA has held it for the most days in total (2,325).
Is the College Basketball Belt official?
No. It is an independent fan project; no school, conference or the NCAA has anything to do with it, and it awards nothing but bragging rights. The lineage is rebuilt automatically from the game results every few hours during the season, and the whole thing is free to download.