2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season

• The North Carolina Tar Heels became the first team in history to be the unanimous #1 team in the AP preseason poll.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=3675860 Tar Heels voted as first unanimous preseason No. 1 in AP poll], ESPN, retrieved 2009-01-05 The ranking came based on UNC returning the majority of their Final Four squad from the year before, most notably Tyler Hansbrough, who became the first reigning National player of the year to return to school since Shaquille O'Neal in the 1991–92 season.
• Blake Griffin was named the Associated Press, the John Wooden Award, the Naismith Award and the Sporting News player of the year for the 2008–2009 college basketball season.[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iA1zbkyKpjUqbqA06kmqkcfFNYTAD97B0IB00 Oklahoma's Griffin is AP's player of the year], April 3, 2009]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=4060278 ESPN: Griffin, Moore pick up more hardware] When combined with Sam Bradford's Heisman Trophy, Oklahoma became the first school to have a top winner in both basketball and football in the same year.
• Pittsburgh achieved the #1 ranking for the first time in school history on January 5, 2009.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=3811369 Panthers ranked No. 1 for first time], ESPN, retrieved 2009-01-05
• On December 18, Tyler Hansbrough passed Phil Ford to become North Carolina's all-time leading scorer.[https://web.archive.org/web/20081219122414/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=283530153 Hansbrough sets career scoring record in UNC win vs. Evansville], ESPN, retrieved 2009-01-24 On February 28, Hansbrough also broke Dickie Hemric's NCAA record for most free throws made in a career.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090303025300/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290590153 Hansbrough's 28 pace UNC's blowout of Ga. Tech], ESPN, retrieved 2009-03-01 And on March 19, Hansbrough passed JJ Redick as the leading scorer in Atlantic Coast Conference history.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090322201839/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=294000032 Hansbrough sets ACC scoring mark; UNC to face LSU], ESPN, retrieved 2009-03-27
• Jodie Meeks of Kentucky scored 54 points against Tennessee on January 13, 2009. Meeks was 10–15 from 3-pt range.[https://archive.today/20120716080901/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290132633 Kentucky downs Tennessee behind Meeks' 54 points], ESPN, retrieved 2009-01-24 The output broke Kentucky's single-game scoring record, set by Hall of Famer Dan Issel 39 years before.
• 2009 marked the first time in history that three #1 seeds in the NCAA tournament came from the same conference – as Louisville, Pittsburgh and Connecticut of the Big East achieved the feat.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/ncaatourney09/news/story?id=3982772 Louisville gets No. 1 overall seed], ESPN, retrieved 2009-03-15
• Two retired Hall of Fame coaches died during the season – UTEP's Don Haskins on September 7, 2008,[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=3574739 Haskins, who broke down walls as Texas Western's coach, dies], ESPN, retrieved 2009-01-05 and California's Pete Newell on November 17, 2008.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=3709014 Former Cal coach Newell dies at 93], ESPN, retrieved 2009-01-05 Newell's Bears won the NCAA championship in 1959, while Haskins' Miners won the title in 1966 in a historic win over Kentucky.
• The preseason AP All-American team was named on November 3. Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina was the unanimous leading vote-getter (72 of 72 votes). The rest of the team included Stephen Curry of Davidson (66 votes), Luke Harangody of Notre Dame (58), Darren Collison of UCLA (46) and Blake Griffin of Oklahoma (45).[http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110408aab.html AP: Hansbrough Unanimous For Preseason AP All-America] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113110451/http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110408aab.html |date=2008-11-13 }}, North Carolina Tar Heels, retrieved 2010-07-29
• Kenny George of UNC Asheville, the tallest player in Division I (7'7") and the nation's leader in FG% for 2007–08, had part of his right foot amputated before the start of the season, threatening to end his career.
• The New Jersey Institute of Technology broke a 51-game losing streak that stretched back to February 19, 2007, by defeating Bryant 61–51 on January 21.[http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAB_20090121_BRYANT@NJT New Jersey Tech vs. Bryant University], CBS, retrieved 2009-01-21
• Travis and Chavis Holmes of VMI became the highest-scoring twins in NCAA Division I history.[https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gDrXpw-l8Ac78k1qXvyi5T-DNSXQ Holmes brothers from VMI are top-scoring twins in NCAA basketball]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, Canadian Press, retrieved 2009-01-28
• Ryan Toolson of Utah Valley had the highest single-game scoring mark of the season, netting 63 points in a 123–121 quadruple-overtime win over Chicago State on January 29, 2009.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090202065321/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290292130 Toolson's 63 power Utah Valley St. past Chicago St. in 4 OTs], ESPN, retrieved 2009-01-31 Chicago State teammates David Holston and John Cantrell each scored over 40 points in the loss.
• On January 31, Texas's A. J. Abrams hit his 339th 3-point shot, breaking the previous Big 12 record of 338 held by Jeff Boschee of Kansas.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090206094455/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290310251 A.J. Abrams sets 3 point record] In the same game, Kansas State's Denis Clemente tied his former teammate Michael Beasley's Big 12 single-game scoring record, netting 44 points in an 85–81 overtime win for the Wildcats.
• North Dakota State became the first men's team in Division I or its predecessors to reach the NCAA Tournament in its first year of postseason eligibility since 1972, when Southwestern Louisiana, now Louisiana-Lafayette, accomplished this feat. The Bison reached the "Big Dance" by defeating Oakland in the final of the 2009 Summit League tournament on March 10.{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290692449 |title=Woodside hits jumper with 3 seconds left to push N. Dakota St. to Summit title |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=2009-03-10 |access-date=2009-03-11| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090314043507/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290692449| archive-date= 14 March 2009 | url-status= dead}}
• Syracuse upset Connecticut, 127–117, in a six-overtime game in the Big East Conference tournament Quarterfinals that started on March 12 and ended after midnight on March 13. It was the longest game in Big East history, and second longest in NCAA Division I history, at 70 total playing minutes.{{cite news|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290710041 |title=Syracuse survives longest game in Big East history with epic win over UConn |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=2009-03-12 |access-date=2009-03-13| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090314174328/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290710041| archive-date= 14 March 2009 | url-status= dead}}
• Davidson guard Stephen Curry, Boston College guard Tyrese Rice, Miami (FL) guard Jack McClinton, Florida State guard Toney Douglas, Temple guard Dionte Christmas, UAB guard Robert Vaden, Wyoming guard Brandon Ewing, Chicago State guard David Holston, UTEP guard Stefon Jackson, Central Florida guard Jermaine Taylor, North Dakota State guard Ben Woodside, VMI guard Chavis Holmes, East Tennessee State guard Courtney Pigram and Coppin State guard Tywain McKee each eclipsed the career 2000-point mark during the season.
• Arkansas State changed its nickname from the "Indians" to the "Red Wolves", effective this season.
• Bryant University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville competed at the Division I level for the first time, while Houston Baptist returned to Division I play after a 20-year absence and Seattle after 28 years.
• Conference realignments: Gardner-Webb moved from the Atlantic Sun Conference to the Big South Conference, while Presbyterian competes in the Big South as well after playing as an independent in 2007–08. Samford moved from the Ohio Valley Conference to the Southern Conference.
• Don Meyer passed Bob Knight as the winningest coach in NCAA history, breaking Knight's record of 902 victories.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=3824898 Meyer celebrates milestone victory]
• Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim led the Orange to 20 wins for the 31st time in his career, a new record. Boeheim had previously been tied with Dean Smith at 30 20-win seasons.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090227000115/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290552599 Syracuse beats St. John's to give Boeheim record]
• Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun won his 800th career game, beating Marquette on February 25, 2009.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090301155453/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290560269 Calhoun earns career win No. 800 as UConn drops Marquette]
• After the season, Northeastern's basketball program was placed on probation until 2011 due to recruiting and extra-benefits violations.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=4098068 Northeastern placed on probation]
• Centenary became the first men's basketball to receive a postseason ban due to their poor showing against Academic Progress Rate (APR) standards.{{cite web|title=2 schools get postseason bans for not making grade |url=http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-ncaa-academicpenalties&prov=ap&type=lgns |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090611040135/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-ncaa-academicpenalties&prov=ap&type=lgns |archive-date=2009-06-11 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-05-10 }} The Gentlemen will not be eligible for postseason play for the 2009–10 season.
• 27,767,111 fans attended Division I games during the season, the second-highest all-time for the division.
• Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Jud Heathcote, Wayman Tisdale, Gene Bartow, Travis Grant, Walter Byers and Bill Wall were inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.{{cite web|title=Class of 2009 Announced for National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame |url=http://www.nabc.org/genrel/041009aab.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726061046/http://www.nabc.org/genrel/041009aab.html |archive-date=2011-07-26 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-05-14 }}
• During the 2008–09 Big Ten season, Evan Turner and Manny Harris became the 4th and 5th players to finish in the top ten in the Big Ten Conference in average points rebounds and assists in the same season since assists became a statistic in 1983–84. Harris is the first to finish in the top six in each one.{{cite web|url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030210aab.html|title=Men's Basketball Release: Week 17: Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin have all secured first-round tournament byes|access-date=2010-03-30|date=2010-03-02|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310222009/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030210aab.html|archive-date=2010-03-10|url-status=dead}} Turner would finish in the top two the following year.{{cite web|url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2009-2010/confldrs.html|title=The Automated ScoreBook: Overall Statistics|access-date=2010-03-30|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412084528/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2009-2010/confldrs.html|archive-date=2010-04-12|url-status=dead}}
• {{cbb link|2008|sex=men|team=Harvard Crimson|school=Harvard University|title=Harvard}} beats Boston College for its first-ever win against a ranked opponent.{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290070103|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117204634/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290070103|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 17, 2009|title=Lin powers Harvard to rare upset over No. 24 BC|access-date=2010-04-02|date=2009-01-07|work=ESPN.com}} During the 2008–09 Ivy League season, Harvard's Jeremy Lin was the only NCAA Division I men's college basketball player who ranked in the top ten in his conference for scoring (17.8), rebounding (5.5), assists (4.3), steals (2.4), blocked shots (0.6), field goal percentage (0.502), free throw percentage (0.744), and 3-point shot percentage (0.400).{{cite web|last=O'Neil |first=Dana |title=Immigrant dream plays out through son: Harvard's do-it-all star learned the game from his father and a host of NBA legends |publisher=ESPN |date=December 10, 2009 |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=4730385 |access-date=2010-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209183851/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=4730385 |archive-date=9 February 2010 |url-status=live }}
• Bradley played in the 2009 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, becoming the first school to play in four different postseaon tournaments in four consecutive years. The Braves previously had played in the 2006 NCAA tournament, the 2007 National Invitation Tournament, and the 2008 College Basketball Invitational.{{cite web |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2010/Rules.pdf |title=Playing Rules History |author= |date= |website=ncaa.org |publisher=NCAA |access-date=June 25, 2024 |page=12}}

Beginning in 2008–2009, the following rules changes were implemented:

• The three-point line moved from 19 feet, 9 inches to 20 feet, 9 inches.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=2859065 Committee extends men's 3-point line to 20-9], ESPN, retrieved 2009-01-05
• If the entire ball is above the rim when it comes into contact with the backboard and is subsequently touched by a player, it is goaltending. Previously only a ball moving downward after hitting the backboard could be subject to goaltending.[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=3392465 NCAA committee recommends change in goaltending rule]

{{See also|2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings}}

The top 25 from the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls, October 31, 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings?poll=1&year=2009&week=1|title=2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings (Nov. 10)|work=ESPN|access-date=2008-10-31| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081201174724/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings?poll=1&year=2009&week=1| archive-date= 1 December 2008 | url-status= live}}

|

|}

These schools joined new conferences for the 2008–09 season.

• Although these tournaments technically had more teams involved, only four play for the championship.

Thirty conference seasons concluded with a single-elimination tournament. The teams in each conference that won their regular-season conference title received the number one seed in each tournament. Conference tournament winners received an automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The Ivy League was the only NCAA Division I conference that did not hold a conference tournament, instead sending its regular-season champion, Cornell, to the NCAA tournament.

Fifteen schools played as Division I independents.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/independent/men/2009.html |work=Sports Reference |title=2008-09 Men's Independent Season Summary |access-date=September 20, 2024}} However, only {{cbb link|year=2008|team=Chicago State Cougars|title=Chicago State}}, Longwood, Savannah State, and {{cbb link|year=2008|team=Texas–Pan American Broncs|title=Texas–Pan American}} were considered full NCAA Division I schools, as the rest were still in a transition phase from NCAA Division II. David Holston of Chicago State was named Independent Player of the Year.{{Cite web| title = Chicago State's David Holston named Independent Player of the Year| work=Chicago Tribune| date = March 21, 2009| url = http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-03-21/sports/0903200540_1_david-holston-chicago-state-honored| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120707141955/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-03-21/sports/0903200540_1_david-holston-chicago-state-honored| url-status = dead| archive-date = July 7, 2012| access-date = August 7, 2011}}

Villanova finished with a 4–0 record in head-to-head competition among the Philadelphia Big 5.

[https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/men/2009-leaders.html Source for additional stats categories]

{{Main|2009 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament}}

The NCAA Tournament tipped off on March 18, 2009, with the opening round game in Dayton, Ohio, and concluded on April 6 at the Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Of the 65 teams that were invited to participate, 31 were automatic bids while 34 were at-large bids. The 34 at-large teams came from 8 conferences, with the Big East, ACC and Big Ten each receiving seven bids. The Big 12 and Pac-10 each received six bids. The SEC and Atlantic 10 each received three bids. This season also marked the first time that three teams from the same conference were selected as #1 seeds (Louisville, Pittsburgh and Connecticut). North Carolina tore through the tournament, winning each game by 12 or more points and beating Michigan State in the Final 89–72 behind an NCAA-record 55 first-half points to win its fifth National championship. Ty Lawson recorded a record 8 steals, while Wayne Ellington was named tournament Most Outstanding Player.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090412014405/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=294000063 North Carolina coasts past Michigan St. to claim fifth national championship]

File:Ford Field 2007.JPG in Detroit, Michigan, was the site of the season ending Final Four and Championship game for {{nowrap|2008-09.}}]]

{{4TeamBracket

| RD1=National semifinals
April 4
6:07 p.m.; 40 min. after first game

| RD2=National championship game
April 6
9:21 p.m.

| score-width=25

| team-width=130

| RD1-seed1= M2

| RD1-team1= Michigan State

| RD1-score1= 82

| RD1-seed2= W1

| RD1-team2= Connecticut

| RD1-score2= 73

| RD1-seed3= S1

| RD1-team3= North Carolina

| RD1-score3= 83

| RD1-seed4= E3

| RD1-team4= Villanova

| RD1-score4= 69

| RD2-seed1= 2

| RD2-team1= Michigan State

| RD2-score1= 72

| RD2-seed2= 1

| RD2-team2=North Carolina

| RD2-score2= 89

}}

{{Main|2009 National Invitation Tournament}}

After the NCAA Tournament field was announced, the National Invitation Tournament invited 32 teams to participate. Five teams were automatic qualifiers for winning their conference regular-season championships, while the remaining 27 bids were named from an at-large pool. Notable entrants included Kentucky, who broke a 17-year NCAA tournament appearance streak by missing the field, as well as preseason top ten team Notre Dame and 2008 Regional Finalist Davidson. Penn State defeated Baylor 69–63 in the Final on April 2. The Nittany Lions' Jamelle Cornley was named tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 31 and April 2

{{4TeamBracket

| RD1=Semifinals

| RD2=Final

| RD1-seed1=1

| RD1-team1=San Diego State

| RD1-score1=62

| RD1-seed2=3

| RD1-team2=Baylor

| RD1-score2=76

| RD1-seed3=2

| RD1-team3=Notre Dame

| RD1-score3=59

| RD1-seed4=2

| RD1-team4=Penn State

| RD1-score4=67

| RD2-seed1=3

| RD2-team1=Baylor

| RD2-score1=63

| RD2-seed2=2

| RD2-team2=Penn State

| RD2-score2=69

}}

{{Main|2009 College Basketball Invitational}}

The second College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Tournament was held beginning March 17 and ended with a best-of-three final, ending March 30. Oregon State defeated UTEP 2–1 in the final series to win the title.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090408072336/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290932638 Oregon State stops UTEP to win CBI series title], ESPN.com, retrieved 2009-04-04 Oregon State's Roeland Schaftenaar was named tournament MVP.

{{4TeamBracket|legs=1/3

| RD1=Semifinals
(Reseeded)

| RD2=Finals
(Best of three)

| RD1-seed1=1

| RD1-team1=Richmond

| RD1-score1=69

| RD1-seed2=4

| RD1-team2={{cbb link|year=2008–09|sex=men|team=UTEP Miners|school=University of Texas, El Paso|title=UTEP}}

| RD1-score2=81

| RD1-seed3=2

| RD1-team3=Oregon State

| RD1-score3=65^OT

| RD1-seed4=3

| RD1-team4=Stanford

| RD1-score4=62

| RD2-seed01 = 4

| RD2-team01 = UTEP

| RD2-score01-1 = 69

| RD2-score01-2 = 70

| RD2-score01-3 = 73

| RD2-seed02 = 2

| RD2-team02 = Oregon State

| RD2-score02-1 = 75

| RD2-score02-2 = 63

| RD2-score02-3 = 81

}}

{{Main|2009 CollegeInsider.com Tournament}}

The inaugural CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament was held beginning March 17 and ended with a championship game on March 30. This tournament places an emphasis on selecting successful teams from "mid-major" conferences who were left out of the NCAA Tournament and NIT. Old Dominion defeated Bradley 66–62 to win the first CIT championship in Peoria, Illinois.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120930004710/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290900071 Old Dominion 66, Bradley 62], ESPN.com, retrieved 2009-04-01 The Monarchs' Frank Hassell was named tournament MVP.

{{4TeamBracket | RD1=Semi-Finals

| RD2=Finals

| score-width=25

| team-width=125

| RD1-seed1=

| RD1-team1={{cbb link|year=2008-09|sex=men|school=James Madison University|team=James Madison Dukes|title=James Madison}}

| RD1-score1=43

| RD1-seed2=

| RD1-team2= Old Dominion

| RD1-score2=81

| RD1-seed3=

| RD1-team3= {{cbb link|year=2008-09|sex=men|school=University of the Pacific (United States)|team=Pacific Tigers|title=Pacific}}

| RD1-score3=49

| RD1-seed4=

| RD1-team4= {{cbb link|year=2008-09|sex=men|school=Bradley University|team=Bradley Braves|title=Bradley}}

| RD1-score4=59

| RD2-seed1=

| RD2-team1=Old Dominion

| RD2-score1=66

| RD2-seed2=

| RD2-team2={{cbb link|year=2008-09|sex=men|school=Bradley University|team=Bradley Braves|title=Bradley}}

| RD2-score2=62

}}

{{Main|2009 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans}}

{{:2009 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans}}

• Wooden Award: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma{{cite web|title=Blake Griffin of Oklahoma wins 33rd John R. Wooden Award |url=http://woodenaward.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/041009aad.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416154424/http://woodenaward.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/041009aad.html |archive-date=2009-04-16 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-05-10 }}
• Naismith Award: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
• Associated Press Player of the Year: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma[https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=4038856 Griffin first OU player to win AP award]
• NABC Player of the Year: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
• Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): Blake Griffin, Oklahoma[http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2009/oscar090330.html USBWA SELECTS OKLAHOMA'S GRIFFIN AS PLAYER OF THE YEAR]
• Adolph Rupp Trophy: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma[http://ruppawards.com/index_files/Page356.htm 2009 Rupp Trophy]
• CBS/Chevrolet Player of the Year: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
• Sporting News Player of the Year: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma{{cite web |title=Sporting News' 2008-09 College Basketball Player of the Year: Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=526660 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314064129/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=526660 |archive-date=2009-03-14 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-04-02 }}

• USBWA Freshman of the Year: Tyreke Evans, Memphis{{cite web|title=MEMPHIS' EVANS IS 2008-09 USBWA NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR |url=http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2009/freshman090325.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503123410/http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2009/freshman090325.html |archive-date=2009-05-03 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-04-02 }}
• Sporting News Freshman of the Year: Tyreke Evans, Memphis{{Cite web |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=526979 |title=Sporting News' 2008-09 Freshman of the Year: Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis |access-date=2009-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314065107/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=526979 |archive-date=2009-03-14 |url-status=dead }}

• Associated Press Coach of the Year: Bill Self, Kansas[http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/apr/03/self-named-ap-coach-year/]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Henry Iba Award (USBWA): Bill Self, Kansas[http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1101711.html Self named national coach of the year by basketball writers]
• NABC Coach of the Year: Mike Anderson, Missouri & John Calipari, Memphis{{Cite web |url=http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040509aaa.html |title=Anderson & Calipari NABC Coach of the Year |access-date=2009-04-06 |archive-date=2009-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409084244/http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040509aaa.html |url-status=dead }}
• Naismith College Coach of the Year: Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh
• CBS/Chevrolet Coach of the Year: Bill Self, Kansas
• Adolph Rupp Cup: Rick Pitino, Louisville[http://ruppawards.com/index_files/Page382.htm 2009 Rupp Cup] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107025921/http://www.ruppawards.com/index_files/Page382.htm |date=2009-01-07 }}
• Sporting News Coach of the Year: Bill Self, Kansas{{Cite web |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=526307 |title=Bill Self is Sporting News' Coach of the Year |access-date=2009-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316050039/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=526307 |archive-date=2009-03-16 |url-status=dead }}

• Bob Cousy Award (Best point guard): Ty Lawson, North Carolina{{cite web |title=University of North Carolina Point Guard Ty Lawson Selected Winner of 2009 BOB COUSY AWARD Presented by THE HARTFORD |url=http://www.hoophall.com/genrel/040209aaa.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090405151841/http://www.hoophall.com/genrel/040209aaa.html |archive-date=2009-04-05 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-04-02 }}
• Pete Newell Big Man Award (Best big man): Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
• NABC Defensive Player of the Year: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut[https://archive.today/20120710171726/http://nabc.cstv.com/genrel/040909aam.html 2009 NABC AWARDS SUMMARY]
• Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (Best player 6'0"/1.83 m or shorter): Darren Collison, UCLA{{Cite web |url=http://www.hoophall.com/genrel/033109aad.html |title=Darren Collison Receives The Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award |access-date=2009-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407044803/http://www.hoophall.com/genrel/033109aad.html |archive-date=2009-04-07 |url-status=dead }}
• Lowe's Senior CLASS Award (top senior): Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina{{cite web|title=NORTH CAROLINA FORWARD TYLER HANSBROUGH WINS 2008-09 MEN'S BASKETBALL LOWES SENIOR CLASS AWARD |url=http://www.seniorclassaward.com/news/view/north_carolina_forward_tyler_hansbrough_named_2008_09_senior_class_award_wi/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423114403/http://www.seniorclassaward.com/news/view/north_carolina_forward_tyler_hansbrough_named_2008_09_senior_class_award_wi/ |archive-date=2009-04-23 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-05-10 }}
• Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Ahmad Nivins, St. Joseph's{{cite web |title=Herb Good Club names Nivin Player of the Year |url=http://www.philadelphiabig5.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/041009aaa.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090611040123/http://www.philadelphiabig5.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/041009aaa.html |archive-date=2009-06-11 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-05-10 }}
• NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Charles Jenkins, Hofstra[http://www.hofstra.edu/Athletics/MBasketball/ath_mbb_gameresult.cfm?gameID=AA6DEA80-65B3-F1F2-677030C66E083867 JENKINS WINS HAGGERTY AWARD, PECORA NAMED MET COACH OF YEAR]{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award (Strong personal character): Jon Brockman, Washington

A number of teams changed coaches throughout the season and after the season ended.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11315259 |title=2009 Division I coaching changes |publisher=CBS Sportsline |access-date=2009-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429005807/http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11315259 |archive-date=2009-04-29 |url-status=live }}

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