1939 NAIA basketball tournament
1939 NAIA men’s basketball tournament recap
In March, 32 teams played a single-elimination tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. It was the third NAIA tournament, held the same year the NCAA tournament began.
Southwestern College (Kansas) won its first NAIA title, defeating San Diego State 32-31 in the championship game. It was the closest final score in NAIA history until 1981. San Diego State was the runner-up, and both teams appeared in their first title game and Final Four. Semifinalists Glenville State and Peru State also reached the Final Four for the first time. Edgar Hinshaw of Southwestern was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
A notable game featured Loras College (Iowa) defeating Central Missouri State 20-16, for a total of 36 points—the lowest-scoring game in NAIA tournament history.
New Mexico A&M and Mississippi College were selected but did not attend; Wayne State and Culver-Stockton replaced them. Notre Dame was invited but declined due to scheduling conflicts.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 21:32 (CET).