The 1948–49 NCAA men's basketball season began in December 1948, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1949 NCAA basketball tournament championship game on March 26, 1949, at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, Washington.
The Kentucky Wildcats won their second NCAA national championship with a 46–36 victory over the Oklahoma A&M Aggies.
Previously, under a rule in place since the 1910–11 season, no coaching of players had been permitted during the progress of a game.
[1] A total of 43 college teams played as major independents.
A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.