The college basketball scene continues to shift dramatically.

Drew Brown, also known as Big Blue Drew, has covered University of Kentucky Basketball and Football for SB Nation’s A Sea Of Blue since 2017.

It’s safe to say that the entire structure of college sports has been reshaped in recent years. The NCAA had long been viewed as resistant to change and overly reliant on outdated systems.

Whether they liked it or not, the NCAA was pushed to adapt by growing pressure, and now the landscape is nearly unrecognizable compared to just a few years ago.

For many, the NCAA’s transformation was much needed and widely celebrated, while others quickly began longing for the traditional approach.

Though NIL has been the primary spotlight, several key rule changes are also set to influence the future — especially one major shift for Men’s NCAA Division I basketball.

Beginning with the 2025–26 season, roster caps, scholarship limits, and a revenue sharing plan will all be implemented.

From this point on, Division I men’s basketball teams will be limited to 15 total roster spots. Programs can offer 15 scholarships, but basketball will now be considered an equivalency sport. This allows coaches to divide scholarships into full or partial amounts as part of their recruiting tactics.

You can check out the full article, which breaks down these roster and scholarship changes and outlines the revenue sharing structure.

Yes, coaches are well-compensated, but the complexities of new rules, compliance, and the ever-active transfer portal must be incredibly tough to manage.

Fortunately, Mark Pope and his staff consistently seem to have a smart, strategic approach to ensure Kentucky remains a contender in all aspects of the modern game.