1950–51 NCAA men's basketball season

The 1950–51 NCAA men's basketball season began in December 1950, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1951 NCAA basketball tournament championship game on March 27, 1951, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Kentucky Wildcats won their third NCAA national championship with a 68–58 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats.

Season headlines

 * The United Press (later United Press International) Coaches Poll made its debut.
 * After a two-season hiatus during which its teams competed as non-major programs, the Border Conference resumed basketball competition as a major conference.
 * During January and February 1951, the CCNY point-shaving scandal is revealed. Over the next few months, it results in the arrests of 32 players from seven schools for point shaving in 86 games between 1947 and 1950.
 * The NCAA tournament expanded for the first time, from eight to 16 teams.
 * Conference champions qualified automatically for the NCAA tournament for the first time.
 * Columbia (21–0) became the first undefeated team to play in an NCAA tournament. The Lions lost to Illinois 79-71 in the first round.

Pre-season polls
The Top 20 from the UP Coaches Poll during the pre-season.

Semifinals & finals

 * Third Place – Illinois 61, Oklahoma A&M 46

Semifinals & finals

 * Third Place – St. John's 70, Seton Hall 68

Major player of the year awards

 * Helms Player of the Year: Dick Groat, Duke
 * Sporting News Player of the Year: Sherman White, Long Island

Other major awards

 * NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): John Azary, Columbia

Coaching changes
A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.