<P> The 1939 NCAA Basketball Tournament involved 8 schools playing in single - elimination play to determine the NCAA Men 's Division I Basketball Championship . It was the first NCAA basketball national championship tournament , although it was operated by the NABC at the time . </P>
<P> The 1939 NCAA Basketball Tournament involved 8 schools playing in single - elimination play to determine the NCAA Men 's Division I Basketball Championship . It was the first NCAA basketball national championship tournament , although it was operated by the NABC at the time . </P>
what was the inaugural year of the ncaa tournament
what was the inaugural year of the ncaa tournament
1939
1939