1958–59 NCAA University Division men's basketball season

The 1958–59 NCAA University Division men's basketball season began in December 1958, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1959 NCAA University Division basketball tournament championship game on March 21, 1959, at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. The California Golden Bears won their first NCAA national championship with a 71–70 victory over the West Virginia Mountainneers.

Season headlines

 * In the 1959 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, Eddie Hickey of Marquette became the first head coach to take three different teams to the NCAA tournament. He had done it previously with Creighton in 1941 in his first year as head coach and with Saint Louis in 1952.
 * The Pacific Coast Conference disbanded at the end of the season.

Pre-season polls
The Top 20 from the AP Poll and the UPI Coaches Poll during the pre-season.

Final Four

 * Third Place – Cincinnati 98, Louisville 85

Semifinals & finals

 * Third Place – NYU 71, Providence 57

Major player of the year awards

 * Helms Player of the Year: Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati
 * UPI Player of the Year: Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati
 * Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati
 * Sporting News Player of the Year: Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati

Major coach of the year awards

 * Henry Iba Award: Eddie Hickey, Marquette
 * NABC Coach of the Year: Eddie Hickey, Marquette
 * UPI Coach of the Year: Adolph Rupp, Kentucky

Other major awards

 * Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Joe Spratt, Saint Joseph's
 * NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Al Seiden, St. John's

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