1959–60 NCAA University Division men's basketball season

The 1959–60 NCAA University Division men's basketball season began in December 1959, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1960 NCAA University Division basketball tournament championship game on March 19, 1960, at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. The Ohio State Buckeyes won their first NCAA national championship with a 75–55 victory over the California Golden Bears.

Season headlines

 * The Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU) began play. It was renamed the Pacific-8 Conference in 1968, the Pacific-10 Conference in 1978, and the Pac-12 Conference in 2011.

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

Final Four

 * Third Place – Cincinnati 95, NYU 71

Semifinals & finals

 * Third Place – Utah State 99, St. Bonaventure 83

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: Pete Newell, California
 * NABC Coach of the Year: Pete Newell, California
 * UPI Coach of the Year: Pete Newell, California

Other major awards

 * Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Bill Kennedy, Temple
 * NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Satch Sanders, NYU

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