The 1956 NCAA basketball tournament involved 25 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA college basketball.
Effective in 1956–57, the NCAA divided its membership into two competitive levels.
Accordingly, that season would see separate tournaments contested in the University and College Divisions.
San Francisco, coached by Phil Woolpert, won the national title with an 83–71 victory in the final game over Iowa, coached by Bucky O'Connor.
Hal Lear of Temple was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.