13 Schools•Division II•Est. 1973
In NCAA Division II, "Independents" refers to a unique classification of athletic programs that compete without formal membership in a recognized multi-sport conference. Unlike Division I, where independence can be a strategic media choice, Division II independents are typically institutions in transitional phases—such as reclassifying from the NAIA, moving between established conferences, or operating in geographic isolation. This group frequently includes universities from U.S. territories, such as the University of Puerto Rico system. Competing as an independent in Division II presents immense logistical challenges, requiring athletic directors to manually build complete schedules across vast geographic regions. Crucially, these programs do not have access to an automatic qualifier (AQ) bid for NCAA postseason tournaments. Instead, they must rely entirely on their regional rankings and strength of schedule to earn highly coveted at-large selections, making every regular-season matchup a critical, must-win scenario for postseason survival.
Official Website
In NCAA Division II, "Independents" refers to a unique classification of athletic programs that compete without formal membership in a recognized multi-sport conference. Unlike Division I, where independence can be a strategic media choice, Division II independents are typically institutions in transitional phases—such as reclassifying from the NAIA, moving between established conferences, or operating in geographic isolation. This group frequently includes universities from U.S. territories, such as the University of Puerto Rico system. Competing as an independent in Division II presents immense logistical challenges, requiring athletic directors to manually build complete schedules across vast geographic regions. Crucially, these programs do not have access to an automatic qualifier (AQ) bid for NCAA postseason tournaments. Instead, they must rely entirely on their regional rankings and strength of schedule to earn highly coveted at-large selections, making every regular-season matchup a critical, must-win scenario for postseason survival.
Official Website