What Is 1972 NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1972 NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament was held March 13–18, 1972, in Kansas City, Missouri, where Southwestern Oklahoma defeated South Dakota State 74–72 in the championship game to win its first title.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: March 13–18, 1972
Championship game: Southwestern Oklahoma 74, South Dakota State 72
Host city: Kansas City, Missouri
Southwestern Oklahoma won its first NAIA title
South Dakota State was the runner-up

Overview

The 1972 NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament was the 35th annual event hosted by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to determine the national champion among its member colleges. Held at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri, the tournament featured 32 teams competing in a single-elimination format.

This year’s event was notable for its close final game and the emergence of a new champion. Southwestern Oklahoma State University claimed its first national title in program history, defeating South Dakota State in a tightly contested matchup.

Championship date: The final game took place on March 18, 1972, concluding a six-day tournament that began with preliminary rounds on March 13.
Location: Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri, served as the permanent host venue for the NAIA tournament from 1937 to 1993.
Champion: Southwestern Oklahoma State University won its first NAIA national title, finishing the season with a 28–5 overall record.
Runner-up: South Dakota State, a consistent contender, reached the final but fell short with a 74–72 loss, marking their second consecutive runner-up finish.
Final score: The championship game ended 74–72, one of the closest finishes in NAIA tournament history, highlighting the competitive balance among small-college programs.

How It Works

The NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament operates as a single-elimination postseason event for member institutions, primarily featuring smaller colleges and universities across the United States. Teams qualify based on conference performance and national rankings, with automatic bids and at-large selections determining the 32-team field.

Eligibility: Only NAIA member schools are eligible, and teams must meet academic and athletic benchmarks to qualify for postseason play.
Selection process: 32 teams are selected, including automatic qualifiers from affiliated conferences and at-large bids awarded by a selection committee.
Tournament structure: A single-elimination bracket format is used, with all games played at neutral sites, historically centered in Kansas City.
Game rules: Matches follow standard NCAA basketball rules, including 40-minute games and five-player rosters, with minor administrative differences.
Player awards: The Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award is presented annually to the tournament’s top performer, a tradition dating to 1939.
Historical continuity: Since 1937, the NAIA tournament has run annually except for 1944 and 1945 due to World War II disruptions.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1972 NAIA tournament to other years and the NCAA Division I tournament reveals key differences in scale, participation, and visibility.

Feature	1972 NAIA Tournament	1972 NCAA Division I Tournament	1980 NAIA Tournament	2023 NAIA Tournament
Number of Teams	32	25	32	64
Champion	Southwestern Oklahoma	UCLA	Biola University	University of Virginia Wise
Runner-up	South Dakota State	Florida State	Western New Mexico	College of the Ozarks
Host City	Kansas City, MO	Multiple sites	Kansas City, MO	Sioux Falls, SD
Championship Score	74–72	81–70	73–68	77–74

The NAIA tournament has historically served as a platform for smaller institutions, offering national exposure comparable to the NCAA but with a tighter geographic footprint. While the NCAA tournament expanded rapidly, the NAIA maintained intimacy and tradition, only increasing its field size decades later.

Why It Matters

The 1972 NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament holds significance as a milestone for Southwestern Oklahoma State and as a snapshot of small-college basketball excellence during the early 1970s. It highlighted the competitive depth of NAIA programs and provided national recognition to athletes outside the NCAA spotlight.

Historic first: Southwestern Oklahoma’s victory marked the school’s first national title, elevating its athletic profile among NAIA institutions.
Player development: Many NAIA tournament participants went on to professional careers, including overseas or in minor U.S. leagues.
Regional pride: Success in the tournament boosted enrollment and community support for small colleges in rural areas.
Legacy of competition: The close final score exemplified the high level of play possible in NAIA athletics, challenging perceptions of inferiority.
Media coverage: Though limited compared to the NCAA, the event was broadcast regionally and covered by national sports outlets.
Tournament tradition: The 1972 event continued a 35-year legacy of March basketball in Kansas City, fostering enduring fan engagement.

As college basketball evolved, the NAIA tournament remained a vital alternative, preserving competitive opportunities for student-athletes at smaller schools. The 1972 championship exemplifies the drama and significance of this often-overlooked chapter in basketball history.