1971–72 NCAA University Division men's basketball season

The 1971–72 NCAA University Division men's basketball season began in December 1971, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1972 NCAA University Division basketball tournament championship game on March 25, 1972, at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The UCLA Bruins won their eighth NCAA national championship with an 81–76 victory over the Florida State Seminoles.

Season headlines

 * At Illinois State, Will Robinson became the first African-American head coach at an NCAA University Division (now NCAA Division I) school.
 * UCLA went undefeated (30–0) and won its sixth NCAA championship in a row, eighth overall, and eighth in nine seasons. In the Pacific 8 Conference, it also won its sixth of what ultimately would be 13 consecutive conference titles.
 * The NCAA national championship game was played on Saturday for the last time. It moved to Monday night in 1973.

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

Final Four

 * Third Place – North Carolina 105, Louisville 91

Semifinals & finals

 * Third Place – Jacksonville 83, St. John's 80

Major player of the year awards

 * Naismith Award: Bill Walton, UCLA
 * Helms Player of the Year: Bill Walton, UCLA
 * Associated Press Player of the Year: Bill Walton, UCLA
 * UPI Player of the Year: Bill Walton, UCLA
 * Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): Bill Walton, UCLA
 * Adolph Rupp Trophy: Bill Walton, UCLA
 * Sporting News Player of the Year: Bill Walton, UCLA

Major coach of the year awards

 * Associated Press Coach of the Year: John Wooden, UCLA
 * Henry Iba Award (USBWA): John Wooden, UCLA
 * NABC Coach of the Year: John Wooden, UCLA
 * UPI Coach of the Year: John Wooden, UCLA
 * Sporting News Coach of the Year: John Wooden, UCLA

Other major awards

 * Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (Best player under 6'0): Scott Martin, Oklahoma
 * Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Corky Calhoun, Penn, & Chris Ford, Villanova
 * NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Richie Garner, Manhattan, & Tom Sullivan, Fordham

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