The1959 NCAA University Division basketball tournament involved 23 schools playing insingle-elimination play to determine the national champion of men'sNCAA Division Icollege basketball in theUnited States. The 21st annual edition of the tournament began on March 7, 1959, and ended with thechampionship game on March 21, atFreedom Hall inLouisville, Kentucky. A total of 27 games were played, including a third place game in each region and a national third place game.
Mississippi State qualified for the tournament but university presidentBenjamin 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.
This was the last year an all-white starting lineup won the championship game.[3]
