The 1959 NCAA University Division basketball tournament involved 23 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States. It began on March 7, 1959, and ended with the championship game on March 21 in Louisville, Kentucky. A total of 27 games were played, including a third place game in each region and a national third place game.
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Quick Facts Season, Teams ...
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California, coached by Pete Newell, won the national title with a 71–70 victory in the final game over West Virginia, coached by Fred Schaus. Jerry West of West Virginia was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
More information Round, Region ...
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More information Region, Team ...
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East region
| Quarterfinals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Finals
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Saint Joseph's
| 92
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| West Virginia
| 95
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| West Virginia
| 82
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| Dartmouth
| 68
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| West Virginia
| 86
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| Boston University
| 82
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| Boston University
| 60
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| Connecticut
| 58
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| Boston University
| 62
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| Navy
| 55
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| Navy
| 76
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| North Carolina
| 63
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Mideast region
| Quarterfinals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Finals
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Kentucky
| 61
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|
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| Louisville
| 76
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| Louisville
| 77
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| Eastern Kentucky
| 63
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| Louisville
| 88
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|
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| Michigan State
| 81
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| Michigan State
| 74
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| Marquette
| 69
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| Marquette
| 89
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| Bowling Green
| 71
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Midwest region
| Quarterfinals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Finals
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Kansas State
| 102
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|
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| DePaul
| 70
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| DePaul
| 57
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| Portland
| 56
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| Kansas State
| 75
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| Cincinnati
| 85
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| Cincinnati
| 77
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|
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| TCU
| 73
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West region
| Quarterfinals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Finals
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Saint Mary's
| 80
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|
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| Idaho State
| 71
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| Idaho State
| 62
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| New Mexico State
| 61
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| Saint Mary's
| 46
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| California
| 66
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| California
| 71
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|
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| Utah
| 53
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Final Four
| National Semifinals
| | | National Finals
| |
| | | | | | | | | |
| E
| West Virginia
| 94
| | |
|
| ME
| Louisville
| 79
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| | E
| West Virginia
| 70
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|
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| | | W
| California
| 71
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| MW
| Cincinnati
| 58
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| W
| California
| 64
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National Third Place Game
| National Third Place Game[1]
| |
| | | | |
| MW
| Cincinnati
| 98
| |
|
| ME
| Louisville
| 85
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Regional third place games
| East Regional third place
| | | | | | | | Navy
| 70
| | | | Saint Joseph's
| 56
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|
| Mideast Regional third place
| | | | | | | | Kentucky
| 98
| | | | Marquette
| 69
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|
| Midwest Regional third place
| | | | | | | | TCU
| 71
| | | | DePaul
| 65
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| West Regional third place
| | | | | | | | Idaho State
| 71
| | | | Utah
| 65
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- Mississippi State qualified for the tournament but university president Benjamin F. Hilbun supported the social degradation of African-American citizens and would not permit the team to participate in the tournament where they would face African-American players.[2]
- Five teams - Boston University, Bowling Green, Portland, Saint Joseph's, and Saint Mary's - made their tournament debut.
- This would be the most recent tournament appearance, as of 2024, for Dartmouth College. Their 65-year drought is the longest active drought in the NCAA among active Division I schools, and the second longest overall after Harvard's 66-year drought from 1946 to 2012.
"Mississippi State Can't Go To Tourney". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. March 1, 1959. p. 13.
