1938–39 NCAA men's basketball season

The 1938–39 NCAA men's basketball season began in December 1938, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1939 NCAA basketball tournament championship game on March 27, 1939, at Patten Gymnasium in Evanston, Illinois.

The Oregon Webfoots won the first NCAA national championship with a 46–33 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Previously, a jump ball at center court had taken place after a team shot a free throw as a result of a technical foul.

[1] A total of 48 college teams played as major independents.

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