NCAA Tournament Timeline College Basketball Timeline covers major moments in the College Basketball History. For a more detailed look, read the articles in full below, or search for College Basketball Timeline in this archive.
1892 James Naismith invents the game of basketball to keep YMCA students interested in exercise during bad weather. Read Article Dr. James Naismith: the 'father of basketball' The Wayne Independent, March 18, 2003 1939 Eight teams compete in the inaugural national collegiate men's basketball championship. The University of Oregon claims the first title. Read Article Oregon Swamps Ohio to Claim National Title The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, March 28, 1939 1946 In the first televised championship game, Oklahoma State becomes the first back-to-back NCAA Champion. Read Article Oklahoma Trips North Carolina For NCAA Crown The Athens Messenger, March 27, 1946 1951 The tournament field is expanded to 16 teams, with 10 conference champions earning automatic bids. The University of Kentucky becomes the first school to win three championships. Read Article Kentucky Wildcats Win 3rd NCAA Cage Title The Mansfield News, March 28, 1951 1952 The "Final Four" is introduced as two additional regional sites are added. The original "Final Four" were Kansas, the eventual champion, St. John's, Illinois, and Santa Clara. Read Article Kansas Whips St. John's 80-63 For National Hoop Title Walla Walla Union Bulletin, March 27, 1952 1954 The NCAA championship game is televised nationally for the first time, a national audience watches LaSalle hand Bradley a 92-76 defeat. Read Article Lasalle Wins Championship Over Bradley The Frederick Post, March 22, 1954 1957 The University of North Carolina defeats Wilt Chamberlain and Kansas, in a triple-overtime game, to win its first NCAA championship. Read Article North Carolina Nips Kansas in Third Overtime The Nevada State Journal, March 24, 1957 1962 Cincinnati defeats Ohio State for the second straight year to take the championship. UCLA makes the first of 13 Final Four appearances over the next 15 seasons. Read Article Cincy Stuns Buckeyes Again The Lima News, March 25, 1962 1966 Texas Western University, the first team in NCAA history with an all African-American starting five, defeats Adolph Rupp's all-white Kentucky team to win the NCAA championship. Read Article Miners Win NCAA Crown The Stevens Point Daily Journal, March 21, 1966 1973 John Wooden's legendary UCLA Bruins defeat Memphis State to win the school's seventh straight NCAA title. It is the Bruins' 75th straight victory and their 9th championship in 10 seasons. Read Article UCLA's Incredible Bruins Do It Again, 87-66 Walla Walla Union Bulletin, March 27, 1973 1976 The University of Indiana completes an undefeated season by beating Michigan to win the school's third NCAA crown. They are the last team to go undefeated and win the title. Read Article Hoosiers earn their rating -- 32 times The Elyria Chronicle Telegram, March 30, 1976 1979 From an expanded field of 40 teams, Earvin "Magic" Johnson leads the Michigan State Spartans to victory over Larry Bird and the Indiana State Sycamores. The championship game garners the attention of millions; its 24.1 TV rating is still the highest of all time for a college basketball game. Read Article Spartans' 'Magic' too much for Bird The News, March 27, 1979 1983 In one of the greatest NCAA upsets of all time, upstart North Carolina State stuns the basketball world by upsetting Houston's Phi Slamma Jamma team, to win the NCAA crown. Read Article Wolfpack slamma jammas Houston The Daily Herald, April 5, 1983 1985 With the field now at 64 teams, Villanova, an eighth seed, defeats defending champion Georgetown to become the lowest seeded team ever to win the NCAA championship. Read Article Wildcats Shoot Down Hoyas The Post-Standard, April 2, 1985 1991 Duke defeats Kansas to win its first national championship. The Blue Devils had avenged their loss in the previous years final, by upsetting undefeated UNLV in the semifinals. Read Article Blue Devils finally fulfill destiny The Capital, April 2, 1991 1997 The Arizona Wildcats become the first team in tournament history to defeat three #1 seeds en route to taking the NCAA crown. Read Article Giant-Slayer Arizona Takes First Title The Post-Standard, April 1, 1997 2002 The Maryland Terrapins become the first team in history to defeat five former NCAA champions on their way to the title, defeating Indiana 64-52 to win the schools first national championship. Read Article First At Last, Terrapins secure first national title The Capital, April 2, 2002 2004 The University of Connecticut men's and women's basketball teams both win the NCAA basketball championship, a feat unaccomplished by any other school in NCAA history. Read Article UConn wrecks Tech The Chronicle Telegram, April 6, 2004 A Triple Double The Post-Standard, April 7, 2004		Newspaper Articles (click to view readable full images) The Wayne Independent March 18, 2003 The Athens Messenger March 27, 1946 The Mansfield News March 28, 1951 The Nevada State Journal March 24, 1957 The Lima News March 25, 1962 Walla Walla Union Bulletin March 27, 1973 The Elyria Chronicle Telegram March 30, 1976 The News March 27, 1979 The Capital April 2, 1991