1955–56 NCAA men's basketball season
Season headlines
Beginning in 1955–56, the following rules changes were implemented:
- The free-throw lane was increased from 6 feet to 12 feet.
- The two-shot penalty in the last three minutes of the game was eliminated. The one-and-one became in effect the entire game.
Season outlook
Pre-season polls
The top 20 from the AP Poll during the pre-season.Regular season
Conference winners and tournaments
Statistical leaders
NCAA Tournament
Coach Phil Woolpert and his star Bill Russell successfully guided San Francisco to its second consecutive championship, capping an undefeated season. The Dons became the first team in college basketball history to go undefeated and win the NCAA tournament. Temple's Hal Lear was named tournament Most Outstanding Player.Final Four
Played at McGaw Hall in Evanston, Illinois
- Third Place – Temple 90, SMU 81
National Invitation Tournament
won its first NIT title, defeating Dayton 83–80. Louisville's Charlie Tyra won MVP honorsNIT Semifinals and Final
Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City
- Third Place – St. Joseph's 93, St. Francis 82
Award winners
Consensus All-American teams
