The 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2002, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 7, 2003, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Syracuse Orange and coach Jim Boeheim won their first NCAA national championship with an 81–78 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks.

Beginning in 2002–03, the following rules changes were implemented:[2] The top 25 from the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls November 13, 2002.

[71] Lipscomb (8–20), an independent in transition from the NAIA to Division I during the season, was not considered a full Division I school during the 2002–03 season.

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