1997–98 NCAA Division I men's basketball season

The 1997–98 NCAA Division I men's basketball season concluded in the 64-team 1998 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament whose finals were held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Kentucky Wildcats earned their seventh national championship by defeating the Utah Utes 78–69 on March 30, 1998. They were coached by Tubby Smith and the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player was Kentucky's Jeff Shepherd.

In the 32-team 1998 National Invitation Tournament, the Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Following the season, the 1998 NCAA Men's Basketball All-American Consensus First team included Mike Bibby, Antawn Jamison, Raef LaFrentz, Paul Pierce, and Miles Simon. The consensus second team was composed of Vince Carter, Mateen Cleaves, Pat Garrity, Richard Hamilton, and Ansu Sesay.

Season headlines

 * Tubby Smith led the Kentucky Wildcats to its seventh National championship.

Pre-season polls
The top 25 from the pre-season AP Poll.

Conference membership changes
These schools joined new conferences for the 1997–98 season.

Conference winners and tournaments
28 conference seasons concluded with a single-elimination tournament, with only the Ivy League and the Pac-10 choosing not to conduct conference tournaments. Conference tournament winners generally received an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Statistical leaders
Source for additional stats categories

Semifinals & finals

 * Third Place - Georgia 95, Fresno State 79

Major player of the year awards

 * Wooden Award: Antawn Jamison, North Carolina
 * Naismith Award: Antawn Jamison, North Carolina
 * Associated Press Player of the Year: Antawn Jamison, North Carolina
 * NABC Player of the Year: Antawn Jamison, North Carolina
 * Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): Antawn Jamison, North Carolina
 * Adolph Rupp Trophy: Antawn Jamison, North Carolina
 * Sporting News Player of the Year: Antawn Jamison, North Carolina

Major freshman of the year awards

 * USBWA Freshman of the Year: Larry Hughes, St. Louis
 * Sporting News Freshman of the Year: Larry Hughes, St. Louis

Major coach of the year awards

 * Associated Press Coach of the Year: Tom Izzo, Michigan State
 * Henry Iba Award (USBWA): Tom Izzo, Michigan State
 * NABC Coach of the Year: Bill Guthridge, North Carolina
 * Naismith College Coach of the Year: Bill Guthridge, North Carolina
 * Sporting News Coach of the Year: Bill Guthridge, North Carolina

Other major awards

 * NABC Defensive Player of the Year: Steve Wojciechowski, Duke
 * Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (Best player under 6'0): Earl Boykins, Eastern Michigan
 * Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Rashid Bey, St. Joseph's
 * NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Felipe López, St. John's
 * Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award (Strong personal character): Hassan Booker, Navy