Michigan
Took the belt from Arizona, 91–73, on April 4, 2026. Then won the 2026 national title with it. Next defense Mon, Nov 2.
Chain of custody
All 743 reigns →- MichiganBeat Arizona 91–73Apr 4, 2026 –Holding
- 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.
- BYUBeat Iowa State 79–69Feb 21 – Feb 24, 20263 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 Oct 17. On collegefootballbelt.com →
Today in belt history
All of October 12 →Stories
All stories →Belt FAQ
Who holds the College Basketball Belt?
Michigan holds the College Basketball Belt. Michigan took it from Arizona, 91–73, on April 4, 2026 and has defended it 1 time since (191 days and counting). It is Michigan's 18th reign.
When is the next belt game?
The next belt game is Michigan hosts Oakland on Mon, November 2, 2026 at Crisler Center. If Oakland wins, the belt changes hands; if Michigan 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 743 reigns across 2,540 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.