The 1953–54 NCAA men's basketball season began in December 1953, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1954 NCAA basketball tournament championship game on March 20, 1954, at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
The La Salle Explorers won their first NCAA national championship with a 92–76 victory over the Bradley Braves.
[6][7] A total of 42 college teams played as major independents.
Among them, Holy Cross (26–2) and Seattle (26–2) had the best winning percentage (.929), and Holy Cross, Seattle, Duquesne (26–3), and La Salle (26–4) finished with the most wins.
A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.