1965–66 NCAA University Division men's basketball season

The 1965–66 NCAA University Division men's basketball season began in December 1965, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1966 NCAA University Division basketball tournament championship game on March 19, 1966, at Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland. The Texas Western Miners won their first NCAA national championship with a 72–65 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats.

Season headlines

 * After introducing a preseason Top 20 the previous season, the Associated Press (AP) Poll contracted its preseason poll to a Top 10, aligning with the Top 10 format for in-season polls it had used since the 1961–62 season.
 * The NCAA tournament contracted from 23 to 22 teams.
 * On March 19, 1966, Texas Western became both the first team to begin an NCAA tournament final game with an all-African American starting lineup and the first team with an all-African American starting line-up to win the NCAA championship. The players were Orsten Artis, Harry Flournoy, Bobby Joe Hill, David Lattin, and Willie Worsley.
 * The Metropolitan Collegiate Conference, consisting of schools in the New York City-New Jersey area, began play.

Pre-season polls
The Top 10 from the AP Poll and Top 20 from the Coaches Poll during the pre-season.

Conference membership changes
NOTES:
 * East Carolina did not begin University Division play until the 1966–1967 season.
 * Fairleigh Dickinson did not begin University Division play until the 1967–1968 season.
 * Hofstra did not begin University Division play until the 1966–1967 season.
 * Long Island did not begin University Division play until the 1968–1969 season.

Final Four

 * Third place – Duke 79, Utah 77

Semi-finals and Finals

 * Third place – Villanova 76, Army 65

Major player of the year awards

 * Helms Player of the Year: Cazzie Russell, Michigan
 * Associated Press Player of the Year: Cazzie Russell, Michigan
 * UPI Player of the Year: Cazzie Russell, Michigan
 * Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): Cazzie Russell, Michigan
 * Sporting News Player of the Year: Cazzie Russell, Michigan

Major coach of the year awards

 * Henry Iba Award: Adolph Rupp, Kentucky
 * NABC Coach of the Year: Adolph Rupp, Kentucky
 * UPI Coach of the Year: Adolph Rupp, Kentucky
 * Sporting News Coach of the Year: Adolph Rupp, Kentucky

Other major awards

 * Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Bill Melchionni, Villanova
 * NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Albie Grant, LIU Brooklyn

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