The 1944–45 NCAA men's basketball season began in December 1944, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1945 NCAA basketball tournament championship game on March 27, 1945, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.
The Oklahoma A&M Aggies won their first NCAA national championship with a 49–45 victory over the NYU Violets.
In 1995, the Premo-Porretta Power Poll retroactively ranked teams during the 1944–45 season as follows by reviewing results, opponents, and margins of victory.
Bowling Green State (24–4) and Muhlenberg (24–4) finished with the most wins.
A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.