1939 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
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| 1939 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament | |
|---|---|
 Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain · source | |
| Year | 1939 |
| Final Four Arena | Patten Gymnasium |
| Final Four City | Evanston, Illinois |
| Championship Arena | Patten Gymnasium |
| Championship City | Evanston, Illinois |
| Champions | Oregon |
| Runner-Up | Ohio State |
| Semifinal1 | Oklahoma |
| Semifinal2 | Villanova |
| Coach | Howard Hobson |
| MOP | Jimmy Hull |
1939 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was the inaugural edition of the NCAA's national championship tournament for men's college basketball. Organized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and led by executive committee member Harold Olsen, the event was conceived as a direct challenge to the established National Invitation Tournament. The tournament culminated with the Oregon Webfoots defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes to claim the first national title under the NCAA banner.
Background and selection
The creation of the tournament was driven by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, which sought an alternative to the National Invitation Tournament held in New York City. Ohio State coach Harold Olsen chaired the selection committee, which faced the difficult task of inviting teams without a standardized framework. The eight-team field was divided into an Eastern and Western regional, with sites at Philadelphia's The Palestra and San Francisco's Kezar Pavilion. Selection emphasized geographical representation and perceived strength, bypassing several highly-ranked teams in favor of regional balance, a decision that generated immediate controversy among coaches and sportswriters.
Tournament bracket
The single-elimination bracket featured two four-team regionals. The Eastern Regional at The Palestra included Ohio State, Wake Forest, Villanova, and Brown. The Western Regional at Kezar Pavilion pitted Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah State. Winners from each regional advanced to the championship round at Northwestern University's Patten Gymnasium in Evanston, Illinois. This simple bracket structure established the basic format for the tournament's future growth under the NCAA.
Participating teams
The eight inaugural participants were the Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten Conference), Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Southern Conference), Villanova Wildcats (independent), and Brown Bears (independent) in the East. The Western contingent comprised the Oregon Webfoots (Pacific Coast Conference), Texas Longhorns (Southwest Conference), Oklahoma Sooners (Big Six Conference), and Utah State Aggies (independent). Notably absent were powerhouses like Long Island University and Kentucky, who participated in the rival National Invitation Tournament.
Results by round
In the Eastern Regional first round, Ohio State defeated Wake Forest and Villanova beat Brown. Villanova then upset Ohio State in the regional final. In the West, Oregon topped Texas and Oklahoma defeated Utah State, with Oregon prevailing over Oklahoma for the Western title. In the national semifinals at Patten Gymnasium, Oregon easily handled Villanova while Ohio State overcame Oklahoma in the third-place game.
Championship game
The championship game was played on March 27, 1939, at Patten Gymnasium. Coached by Howard Hobson, the Oregon Webfoots employed a fast-breaking style known as the "Tall Firs" offense. They faced Ohio State, led by Jimmy Hull and coached by Harold Olsen. Oregon established an early lead and never trailed, winning by a score of 46–33. Oregon's victory was spearheaded by center Urgel "Slim" Wintermute and forward John Dick, while Jimmy Hull of Ohio State was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
Aftermath and legacy
The success of the inaugural tournament, despite a financial loss, ensured its continuation and began a direct rivalry with the National Invitation Tournament. The victory by Oregon cemented the Pacific Coast Conference's national reputation and validated the up-tempo strategies of coach Howard Hobson. The event established Patten Gymnasium as the first host of what would become the Final Four. The tournament's creation marked a pivotal moment in the NCAA's assertion of control over college sports, ultimately leading to the NCAA basketball tournament becoming the premier national championship event.
Category:NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments Category:1939 in sports in the United States