The 1939–40 NCAA men's basketball season began in December 1939, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1940 NCAA basketball tournament Championship Game on March 30, 1940, at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Indiana Hoosiers won their first NCAA national championship with a 60–42 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks.
[1] NOTE: Columbia left the Metropolitan New York Conference while retaining membership in the Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League.
A total of 66 college teams played as major independents.
Seton Hall (19–0) was undefeated, and Marshall (26–3) finished with the most wins.