1956–57 NCAA University Division men's basketball season

Rule changes

• The width of the free throw lane (also known as the "key"), increased from 6 to.
• When teams lined up along the key for a free throw, it became mandatory that the two spaces adjacent to the end line be occupied by opponents of the player shooting the free throw. Previously, one player from each team occupied the spaces adjacent to the end line, with a player from the home team occupying a space marked "H" and a player from the visiting team occupying a space marked "V."
• Grasping the rim of the basket was deemed a form of unsportsmanlike conduct.

Season headlines

• This was the first season in which NCAA basketball was split into two levels of play – the University Division for 156 schools competing at the highest level of play and the College Division for 285 teams playing at lower levels with limited or no scholarships. It also was the first season in which the NCAA held more than one championship tournament — a 24-team tournament for the University Division and a 32-team tournament for the College Division. In 1973, the University Division would be replaced by Division I and the College Division by Division II and Division III.
• The California Basketball Association was renamed the West Coast Athletic Conference. It would be renamed the West Coast Conference in 1989.
• In the 1957 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, Forddy Anderson of Michigan State and Frank McGuire of North Carolina became the first head coaches to take two different teams to the NCAA tournament Final Four. Anderson had done it previously with Bradley in 1950 and McGuire with St. John's in 1952. McGuire also became the first head coach to take two different teams to the national championship game, having also done that with St. John's in 1952.
• In 1957, the Helms Athletic Foundation retroactively selected its national champions for the seasons from 1900–01 through 1918–19.

Season outlook

Pre-season polls

Main article: 1956–57 NCAA University Division men's basketball rankings

The top 20 from the AP Poll and the UP Coaches Poll during the pre-season.

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Conference membership changes

Regular season

Conferences

Conference winners and tournaments

Conference standings

University Division independents

A total of 44 college teams played as University Division independents. Among them, (22–3) had the best winning percentage (.880) and finished with the most wins.

Although it played in the NCAA College Division as a non-major team during the season,

Informal championships

La Salle, Saint Joseph's, and Temple all finished with 3–1 records in head-to-head competition among the Philadelphia Big 5.

Statistical leaders

Post-season tournaments

NCAA tournament

Main article: 1957 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, 1957 NCAA University Division Basketball Championship Game

Frank McGuire brought the ACC its first national championship as his undefeated North Carolina Tar Heels defeated Wilt Chamberlain and the Kansas Jayhawks in what is considered one of the best games in NCAA history – a 54–53 triple–overtime thriller. Chamberlain was named tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Final Four

Played at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri | RD1-seed1=E | RD1-team1=North Carolina | RD1-score1=74(3OT) | RD1-seed2=ME | RD1-team2=Michigan St. | RD1-score2=70 | RD1-seed3=MW | RD1-team3=Kansas | RD1-score3=80 | RD1-seed4=W | RD1-team4=San Francisco | RD1-score4=56 | RD2-seed1=E | RD2-team1=North Carolina | RD2-score1=54(3OT) | RD2-seed2=MW | RD2-team2=Kansas | RD2-score2=53 | RD2b-seed1=ME | RD2b-team1=Michigan State | RD2b-score1=60 | RD2b-seed2=W | RD2b-team2=San Francisco | RD2b-score2=67

National Invitation tournament

Main article: 1957 National Invitation Tournament

Bradley won its first NIT title, defeating Memphis State in a one-point contest. Memphis State's Win Wilfong won the MVP in a losing cause as he poured in 89 points in the Tigers' four games, including 31 in the final.

NIT Semifinals and Final

**Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City ** | RD1-seed1= | RD1-team1=St. Bonaventure | RD1-score1=78 | RD1-seed2= | RD1-team2=Memphis State | RD1-score2=80 | RD1-seed3= | RD1-team3=Bradley | RD1-score3=94 | RD1-seed4= | RD1-team4=Temple | RD1-score4=66 | RD2-seed1= | RD2-team1=Memphis State | RD2-score1=83 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Bradley | RD2-score2=84 | RD2b-seed1= | RD2b-team1=St. Bonaventure | RD2b-score1=50 | RD2b-seed2= | RD2b-team2=Temple | RD2b-score2=67

Award winners

Consensus All-American teams

Main article: 1957 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans

Major player of the year awards

• Helms Foundation Player of the Year: Lennie Rosenbluth, North Carolina
• UPI Player of the Year: Chet Forte, Columbia

Major coach of the year awards

• UPI Coach of the Year: Frank McGuire, North Carolina

Other major awards

• Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Guy Rodgers, Temple
• NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in NYC): Chet Forte, Columbia

Coaching changes

A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.

References

References

1. [http://www.orangehoops.org/NCAA/NCAA%20Rule%20Changes.htm orangehoops.org History of NCAA Basketball Rule Changes]
2. (August 20, 1956). "NCAA Group Opens Talks On Money Aid To Players". Kingsport Times.
3. "History of the NCAA". [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]].
4. . (). ["Playing Rules History"](http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2010/Rules.pdf). *NCAA*.
5. Scott, Jon. (Nov 9, 2010). "The truth behind the Helms Committee".
6. (2009). "ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game". [[Random House]].
7. (2009). "2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Record Book – Conferences Section". NCAA.
8. [http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/acc/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/09mbkguide083112.pdf 2008–09 ACC Men's Basketball Media Guide – Year by Year section] {{Webarchive. link. (2016-03-03 , retrieved 2010-08-14)
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11. [http://www.soconsports.com/fls/4000/socon/files/0809mbkguide/standingsandresults.pdf?SPSID=35819&SPID=1798&DB_OEM_ID=4000 2008–09 SoCon Men's Basketball Media Guide – Postseason Section], [[Southern Conference]], retrieved 2010-08-14
12. [http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/west/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2008-09mbbrecordbook.pdf 2008–09 WCC Men's Basketball Media Guide] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-05-23 , [[West Coast Conference]], retrieved 2010-08-14)
13. "1956-57 Men's Independent Season Summary". [[Sports Reference]].
14. "1956-57 Men's College Basketball AP Polls". [[Sports Reference]].
15. (2005). "The National Invitation Tournament". [[Arcadia Publishing]].