The 1959 NCAA University Division basketball tournament involved 23 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States. The 21st annual edition of the tournament began on March 7, 1959, and ended with the championship game on March 21, at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. A total of 27 games were played, including a third place game in each region and a national third place game.
California, coached by Pete Newell, won the national title with a 71–70 victory in the final game over West Virginia, coached by Fred Schaus. Jerry West of West Virginia was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
Locations Round Region Site Venue First RoundEastNew York, New YorkMadison Square Garden MideastLexington, KentuckyMemorial Coliseum MidwestPortland, OregonPacific International Livestock Exposition WestLas Cruces, New MexicoLas Cruces High School Gym Regionals EastCharlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte Coliseum MideastEvanston, IllinoisMcGaw Memorial HallMidwestLawrence, KansasAllen Fieldhouse WestSan Francisco, CaliforniaCow Palace Final FourLouisville, KentuckyFreedom Hall
Teams Region Team Coach Conference Finished Final Opponent Score East East Boston University Matt Zunic Independent Regional Runner-upWest VirginiaL 86–82 East Connecticut Hugh Greer Yankee First roundBoston UniversityL 60–58 East Dartmouth Doggie Julian Ivy League First roundWest VirginiaL 82–68 East Navy Ben Carnevale Independent Regional third placeSaint Joseph'sW 70–56 East North Carolina Frank McGuire Atlantic Coast First roundNavyL 76–63 East Saint Joseph's Jack Ramsay Middle Atlantic Regional Fourth PlaceNavyL 70–56 East West Virginia Fred Schaus Southern Runner UpCaliforniaL 71–70 Mideast Mideast Bowling Green Harold Anderson Mid-American First roundMarquetteL 89–71 Mideast Eastern Kentucky Paul McBrayer Ohio Valley First roundLouisvilleL 77–63 Mideast Kentucky Adolph Rupp Southeastern Regional third placeMarquetteW 98–69 Mideast Louisville Peck Hickman Independent Fourth PlaceCincinnatiL 98–85 Mideast Marquette Eddie Hickey Independent Regional Fourth PlaceKentuckyL 98–69 Mideast Michigan State Forddy Anderson Big Ten Regional Runner-upLouisvilleL 88–81 Midwest Midwest Cincinnati George Smith Missouri Valley Third PlaceLouisvilleW 98–85 Midwest DePaul Ray Meyer Independent Regional Fourth PlaceTCUL 71–65 Midwest Kansas State Tex Winter Big 8 Regional Runner-upCincinnatiL 85–75 Midwest Portland Al Negratti Independent First roundDePaulL 57–56 Midwest TCU Buster Brannon Southwest Regional third placeDePaulW 71–65 West West California Pete Newell Pacific Coast ChampionWest VirginiaW 71–70 West Idaho State John Grayson Independent Regional third placeUtahW 71–65 West New Mexico State Presley Askew Border First roundIdaho StateL 62–61 West Saint Mary's James Weaver West Coast Athletic Regional Runner-upCaliforniaL 66–46 West Utah Jack Gardner Mountain States Regional Fourth PlaceIdaho StateL 71–65
Bracket
East region
Mideast region
Midwest region
West region
Final Four
National Third Place Game
Regional third place games
See also 1959 NCAA College Division basketball tournament 1959 National Invitation Tournament 1959 NAIA basketball tournament
Notes Mississippi State qualified for the tournament but university president Benjamin F. Hilbun supported the social degradation of African-American citizens and would not permit the team to participate in the tournament where they would face African-American players. Five teams - Boston University, Bowling Green, Portland, Saint Joseph's, and Saint Mary's - made their tournament debut. This would be the most recent tournament appearance, as of 2024, for Dartmouth College. Their 65-year drought is the longest active drought in the NCAA among active Division I schools, and the second longest overall after Harvard's 66-year drought from 1946 to 2012. This was the last year an all-white starting lineup won the championship game.
References