The 1969 NAIA men's basketball tournament was held in March at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The 32nd annual NAIA basketball tournament featured 32 teams playing in a single-elimination format. This is the first tournament since 1965 tournament to feature four new teams to the NAIA Semifinals. (It would be the 5th time since 1937 this has happened; previous years were the inaugural year 1937, 1945, 1947, 1965.) This would not happen again until 2001. Awards and honors Leading scorer: Jake Ford, Maryland State; 5 games, 52 field goals, 52 free throws, 156 total points (31.2 average points per game) Leading rebounder: Bruce Sanderson, Central Washington; 5 games, 65 total rebounds (13.0 average rebounds per game) Player of the Year: est. 1994 Most tournament appearances: Georgetown (Ky.), 8th of 28, appearances to the NAIA Tournament 1969 NAIA bracket Third-place game The third-place game featured the losing teams from the national semifinalist to determine 3rd and 4th places in the tournament. This game was played until 1988. See also 1969 NCAA University Division basketball tournament 1969 NCAA College Division basketball tournament References NAIA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament NAIA men's basketball tournament NAIA men's basketball tournament