The 1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 17, 1979, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1980 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament championship game on March 24, 1980, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.

The Louisville Cardinals won their first NCAA national championship with a 59–54 victory over the UCLA Bruins.

[6] Note: From 1975 to 1981, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), a loosely organized sports federation of colleges and universities in the Northeastern United States, organized Division I ECAC regional tournaments for those of its members that were independents in basketball.

[29] A total of 43 college teams played as Division I independents.

[40] Saint Joseph's finished with a 4–0 record in head-to-head competition among the Philadelphia Big 5.