The 1941–42 NCAA men's basketball season began in December 1941, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1942 NCAA basketball tournament championship game on March 28, 1942, at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Stanford Indians won their first NCAA national championship with a 53–38 victory over the Dartmouth Big Green.
A total of 65 college teams played as major independents.
LIU (25–3) had the best winning percentage (.893) and Western Kentucky State (29–5) finished with the most wins.
A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.