The 1969–70 NCAA University Division men's basketball season began in December 1969, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1970 NCAA University Division basketball tournament championship game on March 21, 1970, at Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland. The UCLA Bruins won their sixth NCAA national championship with an 80–69 victory over the Jacksonville Dolphins.
Season headlines
UCLA won its fourth NCAA championship in a row, sixth overall, and sixth in seven seasons. In the Pacific 8 Conference, it also won its fourth of what ultimately would be 13 consecutive conference titles. The Pacific Coast Athletic Association began play. It was renamed the Big West Conference in 1988. LSU’s Pete Maravich established several NCAA records during his career. Two of the most notable came during this season — single-season scoring average (44.5, besting his 44.2 average from the prior season) and career scoring (3,667). In addition to leading the NCAA in scoring for the third consecutive season, Maravich was named a consensus first-team All-American and SEC Player of the Year for the third time.
Season outlook
Pre-season polls
The Top 20 from the AP Poll and Coaches Poll during the pre-season.
Conference membership changes
Regular season
Conference winners and tournaments
Informal championships
Statistical leaders
Post-season tournaments
NCAA tournament
Final Four
Third Place – New Mexico State 79, St. Bonaventure 73
National Invitation tournament
Semifinals & finals
Third Place – Army 75, LSU 68
Awards
Consensus All-American teams
Major player of the year awards
Naismith Award: Pete Maravich, LSU
Helms Player of the Year: Pete Maravich, LSU
Associated Press Player of the Year: Pete Maravich, LSU
UPI Player of the Year: Pete Maravich, LSU
Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): Pete Maravich, LSU
Sporting News Player of the Year: Pete Maravich, LSU
Major coach of the year awards
Associated Press Coach of the Year: John Wooden, UCLA
Henry Iba Award (USBWA): John Wooden, UCLA
NABC Coach of the Year: John Wooden, UCLA
UPI Coach of the Year: John Wooden, UCLA
Sporting News Coach of the Year: Adolph Rupp, Kentucky
Other major awards
Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (Best player under 6'0): John Rinka, Kenyon
Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Ken Durrett, La Salle NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Jim McMillian, Columbia
Coaching changes
A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.