The 1981 NCAA Division II basketball tournament involved 32 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college basketball as a culmination of the 1980–81 NCAA Division II men's basketball season.
It was won by Florida Southern College and Florida Southern's John Ebeling was the Most Outstanding Player.
*denotes tie Location: Memorial Gym Host: Mount Saint Mary's College and Seminary Location: Western Hall Host: Western Illinois University Location: Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena Host: University of Wisconsin at Green Bay Location: Flowers Hall Host: University of North Alabama Location: Alterowitz Gym Host: Eastern Montana College Location: UCF Fieldhouse Host: University of Central Florida Location: William T. Boylan Gymnasium Host: Monmouth College Location: NHC Fieldhouse Host: New Hampshire College *denotes each overtime played Location: Springfield Civic Center Hosts: American International College and Springfield College *denotes each overtime played