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| Season | 1958–59 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | 23 | ||||
| Finals site | Freedom Hall Louisville, Kentucky | ||||
| Champions | California Golden Bears (1st title, 1st title game, 2nd Final Four) | ||||
| Runner-up | West Virginia Mountaineers (1st title game, 1st Final Four) | ||||
| Third place | Cincinnati Bearcats (1st Final Four) | ||||
| Fourth place | Louisville Cardinals (1st Final Four) | ||||
| Winning coach | Pete Newell (1st title) | ||||
| MOP | Jerry West (West Virginia) | ||||
| Attendance | 161,809 | ||||
| Top scorer | Jerry West (West Virginia) (160 points) | ||||
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The 1959 NCAA University Division basketball tournament involved 23 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States. It began on March 7, 1959, and ended with the championship game on March 21 in Louisville, Kentucky. A total of 27 games were played, including a third place game in each region and a national third place game.
California, coached by Pete Newell, won the national title with a 71–70 victory in the final game over West Virginia, coached by Fred Schaus. Jerry West of West Virginia was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.