The 1986–87 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began in November 1986 and ended with the Final Four in New Orleans on March 30, 1987.
Major rule changes
Beginning in 1986–87, the following rules changes were implemented: The three-point field goal was introduced and set at 19 feet, 9 inches from the center of the basket. A television replay could be used to prevent or rectify a scorer’s or timer’s mistake or a malfunction of the clock.
Season outlook
Pre-season polls
The top 20 from the AP Poll during the pre-season.
Regular season
Conference winners and tournaments
Statistical leaders
Conference standings
Postseason tournaments
NCAA tournament
Final Four - Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
National Invitation tournament
NIT Semifinals and Final
Award winners
Consensus All-American teams
Major player of the year awards
Wooden Award: David Robinson, Navy
Naismith Award: David Robinson, Navy
Associated Press Player of the Year: David Robinson, Navy
UPI Player of the Year: David Robinson, Navy
NABC Player of the Year: David Robinson, Navy
Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): David Robinson, Navy
Adolph Rupp Trophy: David Robinson, Navy
Sporting News Player of the Year: David Robinson, Navy
Major coach of the year awards
Associated Press Coach of the Year: Tom Davis, Iowa
UPI Coach of the Year: John Thompson, Georgetown
Henry Iba Award (USBWA): John Chaney, Temple
NABC Coach of the Year: Rick Pitino, Providence
Naismith College Coach of the Year: Bob Knight, Indiana
CBS/Chevrolet Coach of the Year: Joey Meyer, DePaul
Sporting News Coach of the Year: Rick Pitino, Providence
Other major awards
Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (Best player under 6'0): Muggsy Bogues, Wake Forest Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Nate Blackwell, Temple NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in NYC): Mark Jackson, St. John's and Kevin Houston, Army
Coaching changes
A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.