2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
{{Short description|Basketball season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NCAA Division I men's basketball season
| year = 2015
| image = NCAA logo.svg
| image_capation =
| preseason_ap = North Carolina Tar Heels
| regular_season = November 13, 2015 – March 13, 2016
| tourney_start = March 15
| nc_date = April 4, 2016
| champ_stad = NRG Stadium
| champ_city = Houston, Texas
| champ = Villanova Wildcats
| nit_champ = George Washington Colonials
| vegas16_champ = Old Dominion Monarchs
| cbi_champ = Nevada Wolf Pack
| cit_champ = Columbia Lions
| playeroftheyear = Buddy Hield, Oklahoma Sooners
}}
The 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 13. The first early-season tournaments to begin were the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and the Charleston Classic. The season ended with the 2016 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, whose Final Four took place at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on April 2, 2016, with the national championship game following on April 4. Practices officially began on October 2, 2015.
Rule changes
The following rule changes were proposed by the NCAA Men's Rules Committee for the 2015–16 season,{{citation |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12893128/ncaa-committee-calls-30-second-shot-clock-series-proposals-speed-games |title=NCAA committee calls for 30 second shot clock |date=May 15, 2015 |access-date=May 15, 2015}}{{cite press release|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2015-05-15/mens-basketball-rules-committee-recommends-package-proposals |title=Men's basketball rules committee recommends package of proposals |publisher=NCAA |date=May 15, 2015 |access-date=May 17, 2015}} and officially approved by the NCAA Men's Playing Rules Oversight Panel:{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/13037928/ncaa-announces-rule-changes-2015-16-including-30-second-shot-clock-fewer-outs |title=Shorter shot clock, fewer timeouts among changes coming in 2015-16 |work=ESPN.com |date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=June 9, 2015}}
- Reducing the shot clock from 35 to 30 seconds (same as the women's game).
- Providing offensive players the same verticality protections as defensive players.
- Extending the restricted-area arc from 3 feet to 4 feet from the basket.
- Reducing the number of team timeouts from 5 to 4, with a limit of no more than 3 timeouts in the second half.
- Ending the practice of coaches calling timeouts from the bench in live-ball situations.
- Tightening the 10-second backcourt rule, under which the offensive team has 10 seconds to advance the ball from the backcourt to the frontcourt. The following situations, all of which resulted in a reset of the 10-second count under previous rules, no longer reset the count:
- The defense deflects the ball out of bounds.
- A held ball situation in the offensive backcourt in which the possession arrow favors the offense.
- A technical foul against the offensive team during possession in its own backcourt.
- Eliminating the five-second "closely-guarded" rule while the ball is being dribbled.
- Allowing for technical fouls to be called on players who are determined to have faked a foul while reviewing for a flagrant foul.
- Allow video replay of shot-clock violations throughout the game. Previously, this type of review was limited to only the final 2:00 of the game and in overtime.
- "Class B" technical fouls, such as hanging on the rim and delay of game, now result in one free throw by the non-violating team instead of the previous two.
- Requiring that a timeout taken 30 seconds or less before a scheduled media timeout break (which are at 16:00, 12:00, 8:00, and 4:00 of each half) become the media timeout. This particular change had been made in NCAA women's basketball effective with the 2013–14 season.
- Stricter enforcement of resumption of play after timeouts, and reducing from 20 seconds to 15 seconds the time allowed to replace a disqualified (fouled out) player. Teams will receive a delay-of-game warning after the first violation, and a Class B technical foul for each subsequent violation.
- Dunking will be allowed during team warmups and halftime.
- An experimental rule allowing players six personal fouls instead of five will be used in all national postseason tournaments except for the NCAA tournament.
Season headlines
- May 27 – The NCAA announced its Academic Progress Rate (APR) sanctions for the 2015–16 school year. A total of 21 programs in 9 sports were declared ineligible for postseason play due to failure to meet the required APR benchmark, including the following four Division I men's basketball teams:{{Cite web
| url = https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/raising-bar
| title = Raising the bar
| last =
| website = NCAA.org – The Official Site of the NCAA
| access-date = 2016-02-24
}}
- Alcorn State
- Florida A&M
- Stetson
- Central Arkansas
- June 29 – Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan announced he would retire at the end of the 2015–16 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/13169056/bo-ryan-wisconsin-badgers-retire-next-season |title=Bo Ryan to retire after next season |first=Jeff |last=Goodman |work=ESPN.com |date=June 29, 2015 |access-date=June 29, 2015}}
- August 13 – Ryan backed away from his previously announced retirement plans, saying that he was open to staying on beyond this season and that he would make his decision in the coming months.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/13428654/bo-ryan-wisconsin-badgers-not-totally-sure-retire-2015-16-season |title=Badgers' Bo Ryan leaves door open for return after 2015-16 season |first=Andy |last=Katz |author-link=Andy Katz |work=ESPN.com |date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=August 14, 2015}}
- September 29 – The NCAA announced penalties against SMU following an investigation into a wide array of violations:{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/13769364/ncaa-bans-smu-mustangs-2016-postseason-suspends-larry-brown-30-percent-team-games |title=NCAA bans SMU from 2016 postseason, Larry Brown for nine games |work=ESPN.com |date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=September 29, 2015}}
- The Mustangs were banned from postseason play for 2015–16.
- Head coach Larry Brown was suspended for nine games.
- SMU lost nine men's basketball scholarships from 2016–17 through 2018–19. Since the team had only 11 scholarship players for 2015–16, two short of the NCAA limit of 13, the two unused scholarships counted toward the penalty.
- The men's basketball program was hit with three years' probation.
- October 2 – Yahoo! Sports revealed that the University of Louisville was investigating allegations made in a soon-to-be-published book whose author, a self-described madam, claimed that she had been paid thousands of dollars by former Louisville graduate assistant and director of basketball operations Andre McGee to provide women to dance for and have sex with Cardinals players and recruits.{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/louisville-investigating-allegations-basketball-staffer-paid-for-prostitutes-for-players--recruits-013459979.html |title=Louisville investigating allegations basketball staffer paid for prostitutes for players, recruits |first=Pat |last=Forde |author-link=Pat Forde |work=Yahoo Sports |date=October 2, 2015 |access-date=October 2, 2015}}
- November 10 – The Associated Press preseason All-American team was released. Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer was the leading vote-getter (51 votes). Joining him on the team were Iowa State forward Georges Niang (46 votes), Providence guard Kris Dunn (43), Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield (40) and LSU forward Ben Simmons (28).{{cite news|url=http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2015/11/10/cbbx10-gnn148ddr-1.html |title=Men's basketball – AP Preseason All-Americans |newspaper=Columbus Dispatch |date=November 10, 2015 |access-date=January 29, 2016}}
- December 15 – Bo Ryan announced his retirement after a win against Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, effective immediately, with associate head coach Greg Gard assuming the title of interim head coach.{{Cite web
| url = https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2015/12/15/wisconsin-badgers-bo-ryan-retiring
| title = Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan announces retirement
| last = Wire
| first = SI
| website = www.si.com
| access-date = 2016-02-24
}}
- December 23 – The NCAA announced penalties against Hawai{{okina}}i for significant violations of NCAA rules:{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14422058/hawaii-rainbow-warriors-hit-postseason-ban-ncaa-investigation |title=NCAA hits Hawaii with one-year postseason ban |work=ESPN.com |date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2015}}{{cite press release|url=https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/former-hawaii-head-men-s-basketball-coach-violated-ncaa-ethical-conduct-rules |title=Former Hawaii head men's basketball coach violated NCAA ethical conduct rules |publisher=NCAA |date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2015}}
- Former head coach Gib Arnold, who had been fired shortly before the 2014–15 season, received a three-year show-cause penalty. An assistant involved in the violations received a two-year show-cause.
- The Rainbow Warriors were banned from postseason play in 2016–17.
- The team lost two scholarships in both 2016–17 and 2017–18; it had previously announced a reduction of one scholarship for each of those seasons.
- January 13
- The NCAA Division I council approved the following changes to its rules regarding declaration for the NBA draft:{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14564613/date-nba-draft-commitment-pushed-may |title=College players given extra time to mull NBA draft decision |first=Jeff |last=Goodman |work=ESPN.com |date=January 13, 2016 |access-date=January 13, 2016}}
- Declaration for the draft no longer results in automatic loss of college eligibility. As long as a player does not sign a contract with a professional team outside the NBA, or sign with an agent, he will retain college eligibility as long as he makes a timely withdrawal from the draft.
- NCAA players now have until 10 days after the end of the NBA Draft Combine to withdraw from the draft. For 2016, the withdrawal date was May 25, about five weeks after the previous mid-April deadline.
- NCAA players may participate in the draft combine, and are also allowed to attend one tryout per year with each NBA team without losing college eligibility.
- NCAA players may now enter and withdraw from the draft multiple times without loss of eligibility. Previously, the NCAA treated a second declaration of draft eligibility as a permanent loss of college eligibility.
- Missouri admitted to major NCAA violations dating to 2011. While the NCAA had yet to announce its findings, Missouri voluntarily imposed the following sanctions:{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14563798/missouri-tigers-forced-vacate-all-wins-2013-14-investigation-shows-major-violations |title=Major violations found at Missouri; penalties imposed by school |work=ESPN.com |date=January 13, 2016 |access-date=January 14, 2016}}
- The Tigers would not participate in any postseason play this season, including the SEC tournament.
- All 23 of the Tigers' wins in the 2013–14 season were vacated.
- The Tigers lost one scholarship in each of the next two seasons, and restrict recruiting in 2016–17.
- February 6
- Louisville self-imposed a 2016 postseason ban.
- March 10
- The Ivy League announced that it would institute men's and women's conference tournaments effective with the 2016–17 season. The top four teams in the regular-season standings qualify for each tournament. While the tournament winners receive automatic bids to the NCAA men's and women's tournaments, the official conference champions continue to be determined solely by regular-season results. The inaugural editions were held March 11–12, 2017 at the Palestra in Philadelphia.{{cite press release |url=http://ivyleaguesports.com/information/general_releases/2015-16/releases/The_Ivy_League_Adds_Mens-Womens_Basketball_Tournaments_Beginning_in_2017 |title=The Ivy League Adds Men's, Women's Basketball Tournaments Beginning in 2017 |publisher=Ivy League |date=March 10, 2016 |access-date=March 10, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311041901/http://ivyleaguesports.com/information/general_releases/2015-16/releases/The_Ivy_League_Adds_Mens-Womens_Basketball_Tournaments_Beginning_in_2017 |archive-date=March 11, 2016 }}
- April 8 – The NCAA announced penalties against Southern Miss for a wide array of violations occurring during the tenure of former head coach Donnie Tyndall. The NCAA's findings indicated that mere weeks after Tyndall became head coach, he directed program staffers to complete fraudulent coursework so that several recruits would ostensibly be eligible to play. It was also found that Tyndall had arranged for cash payments to recruits, fabricated documents in an attempt to cover up the payments, and deleted emails relevant to the investigation.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/15162263/ncaa-hits-former-southern-miss-golden-eagles-coach-donnie-tyndall-10-year-show-cause-penalty |title=Donnie Tyndall to appeal 10-year show-cause order by NCAA |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=April 8, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2016}}
- Tyndall received a 10-year show-cause, and even after it expires in 2026, he will be suspended for 50% of his next full season as an NCAA coach. Three of his assistants receive 8-year, 7-year, and 6-year penalties. At the time, Tyndall planned to appeal his penalty.
- The NCAA accepted the school's self-imposed two-year postseason ban, but placed the Golden Eagles on three years' probation. All wins in which ineligible players participated were vacated, and the Golden Eagles lost four scholarships over the next three seasons.
=Milestones and records=
- During the season, the following players reached the 2000 career point milestone – Evansville guard D. J. Balentine,{{Cite web|title = D.J. Balentine Nets 2,000th Career Point In 84-70 Evansville Purple Aces' Victory Over Norfolk State|url = http://www.vavel.com/en-us/ncaa/college-basketball/580410-dj-balentine-nets-2000th-career-point-in-84-70-evansville-purple-aces-victory-over-norfolk-state.html|website = vavel.com|access-date = 2015-12-29}} High Point forward John Brown,{{Cite web|title = High Point drops Thursday contest at Winthrop|url = http://highpointpanthers.com/news/2016/1/14/M-Basketball_0114160109.aspx?path=mbball|website = highpointpanthers.com|access-date = 2016-01-28}} Hofstra guard Juan'ya Green,{{Cite web|title = Green Reaches 2,000 Career Points In Hofstra Win|url = http://www.gohofstra.com/news/2016/1/14/MBB_0114161933.aspx|website = gohofstra.com|access-date = 2016-01-28}} Louisiana–Lafayette forward Shawn Long,{{Cite web|title = Long reaches 2,000, Louisiana-Lafayette beats Troy 88-65|url = https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400816851|website = ESPN.com|access-date = 2016-01-26}} Iowa State forward Georges Niang,{{Cite web|title = Men's Basketball: Niang overtakes Hoiberg, hits 2,000-point mark|url = http://amestrib.com/sports/men-s-basketball-niang-overtakes-hoiberg-hits-2000-point-mark|website = Amestrib.com|access-date = 2016-02-17}} Old Dominion guard Trey Freeman,{{Cite web|title = Freeman's big second half sparks ODU to 59-56 win at Western Kentucky|url = http://pilotonline.com/sports/college/old-dominion/basketball/freeman-s-big-second-half-sparks-odu-to--/article_488535cf-35e5-5ba0-b62e-132abe71d060.html|website = pilotonline.com|access-date = 2016-02-21|archive-date = 2016-03-02|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160302131551/http://pilotonline.com/sports/college/old-dominion/basketball/freeman-s-big-second-half-sparks-odu-to--/article_488535cf-35e5-5ba0-b62e-132abe71d060.html|url-status = dead}} Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield,{{Cite web|title = Oklahoma basketball: Buddy Hield joins 2000-point club|url = http://www.oudaily.com/sports/oklahoma-basketball-buddy-hield-joins--point-club/article_d32f4c0e-d5ea-11e5-9ab7-9b5232a407ad.html|website = OUDaily.com|access-date = 2016-02-21}} Stony Brook forward Jameel Warney,{{Cite web|title = Warney reaches 2,000-point mark in Stony Brook's 75-56 win over Maine|url = http://www.stonybrookathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/022116aaa.html|website = Stonybrooksthletics.com|access-date = 2016-02-21}} Louisville guard Damion Lee,{{Cite web|title = No. 11 Louisville Holds Off Georgia Tech 56-53 on Senior Night|url = http://gocards.com/news/2016/3/1/mens-basketball-no-11-louisville-holds-off-georgia-tech-56-53.aspx?path=mbball|website = gocards.com|access-date = 2016-03-02}} Fresno State guard Marvelle Harris, Army swingman Kyle Wilson.{{Cite web|title = Men's Basketball Drops CIT Contest to NJIT|url = http://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2016/3/16/mens-basketball-drops-cit-contest-to-njit.aspx|website = goarmywestpoint.com|access-date = 2016-03-17}} and Iona guard A. J. English.{{Cite web|title = AJ English surpasses 2,000 career points, Iowa State advances|url = http://www.todaysu.com/u-news/aj-english-surpasses-2000-career-points-iowa-state-advances/|website = todaysU.com|access-date = 2016-03-19}}
- November 26 – Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo wins his 500th game.{{Cite web|title = Izzo wins 500th, fueled by Valentine triple-double|url = https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400826226|website = ESPN.com|access-date = 2015-12-14}}
- November 28 – Davidson head coach Bob McKillop wins his 500th game.[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/mens-basketball/article46959905.html Davidson’s Bob McKillop notches 500th win, 83-70, over scrappy Denison] (November 29, 2015). Retrieved on November 29, 2015.
- November 28 – BYU's Kyle Collinsworth records his seventh career triple-double, giving him sole possession of the NCAA record.[http://www.vanquishthefoe.com/byu-basketball/2015/11/29/9814778/kyle-collinsworth-ncaa-triple-double-record-career BYU's Kyle Collinsworth (belatedly) records 7th triple-double, breaks NCAA career record] (November 29, 2015). Retrieved on November 29, 2015.
- January 26 – Virginia beats Wake Forest on a 9–1 run in the final fifteen seconds, including a buzzer beater three-point bank shot from Darius Thompson, in a comeback highly noted for its statistical improbability.{{cite web |url=http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/entry/week_in_review_1_22_1_28 |title=Week in Review, 1/22-1/28 |first=Ken |last=Pomeroy |author-link=Ken Pomeroy |date=January 29, 2016 |access-date=February 11, 2016}}{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Wiley |url=http://www.streakingthelawn.com/2016/1/26/10838258/virginia-basketball-buzzer-beater-wake-forest-darius-thompson |title=Virginia basketball: These stats show just how nuts the win over Wake Forest was |website=Streaking the Lawn |date=January 26, 2016 |access-date=February 11, 2016}}{{cite news |first=Joedy |last=McCreary |title=No. 11 Virginia stuns Wake Forest 72-71 on Thompson's late 3 |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/2c7d685379a94d5b969c479578df9f49/no-11-virginia-stuns-wake-forest-72-71-thompsons-late-3 |newspaper=Associated Press |location=Winston-Salem, North Carolina |date=January 26, 2016 |access-date=February 11, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- February 1 – Duke's streak of 167 appearances in the AP Poll ended as the 5th longest streak of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14691699/duke-blue-devils-unranked-associated-press-top-25-first-more-eight-years|title=Duke bounced from Top 25 for first time since 2007-08|access-date=2016-02-02|date=2016-02-02|publisher=ESPN}}
- February 5 – Yale's Brandon Sherrod, who entered the Bulldogs' game against Columbia one shy of the Division I record of 26 consecutive field goals made, makes his first five field goal attempts in Yale's 86–72 win to set a new record of 30.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400843587 |title=Brandon Sherrod sets D-I field goal record as Yale seizes Ivy lead |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=February 5, 2016 |access-date=February 5, 2016}}
- February 8 – The 2015–16 Villanova Wildcats became the program's first team to reach number one in the AP Poll by climbing to the top of the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings.{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2016-02-08/college-basketball-rankings-villanova-earns-programs-first-ap |title=College basketball rankings: Villanova earns program's first AP No. 1 ranking |access-date=2016-02-09 |date=2016-02-08 |website=NCAA.com |publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association |agency=Associated Press |author=O'Connell, Jim }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/villanova-ranked-no-1-for-first-time-in-ap-poll-1454976187|title=Villanova Ranked No. 1 for First Time in AP Poll|access-date=2016-02-09|date=2016-02-08|work=The Wall Street Journal|author=Beaton, Andrew}}
- March 16 – In BYU's 97–79 victory over UAB in the first round of the NIT, Collinsworth posts his sixth triple-double of the season, tying his own single-season record from last season and extending his NCAA career record to 12.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400871453 |title=Collinsworth's 12th triple-double highlights BYU's NIT win |work=ESPN.com |date=March 16, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2016}}
Conference membership changes
After a tumultuous four years in which over 80 Division I schools moved to new conferences—some more than once—only two schools joined new conferences as full members for 2015–16:
Another change in membership involved the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). This did not involve a school moving to a new league, but rather a change in identity of a Division I school. During the summer of 2015, the University of Texas–Pan American (UTPA) and the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) merged to form the new University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). The UTPA athletic program was inherited by UTRGV, which retained UTPA's WAC membership.
Following UAB's decision to drop football at the end of the 2014 season, its future membership in Conference USA (C-USA) beyond 2014–15 was initially uncertain, as league bylaws require all member schools to either sponsor FBS football or be committed to establishing an FBS program. Due to ongoing efforts by boosters and other supporters to raise funds to bring UAB football back, C-USA indicated that UAB would be allowed to remain in the league for the 2015–16 season, but not beyond that time unless football was reinstated.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/report--c-usa-likely-to-drop-uab-if-football-isn-t-reinstated-174839060.html |title=Report: C-USA likely to drop UAB if football isn't reinstated |first=Graham |last=Watson |work=Dr. Saturday |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |date=May 2, 2015 |access-date=May 30, 2015}} On June 1, 2015, UAB initially announced that the football program would be reinstated in 2016,{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12991674/uab-blazers-football-return |title=UAB reinstates football for 2016 |first=Alex |last=Scarborough |work=ESPN.com |date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=June 1, 2015}} later pushing back the return of football to 2017; this was sufficient to satisfy C-USA, which announced that it would keep UAB as a member.{{cite press release|url=http://www.uabsports.com/genrel/072115aaa.html |title=UAB To Resume Rifle This Year, Bowling Next And Football In 2017 |publisher=UAB Athletics |date=July 21, 2015 |access-date=July 21, 2015}}
The 2015–16 season was the last for Coastal Carolina in the Big South Conference. On September 1, 2015, the university and the Sun Belt Conference jointly announced that the Chanticleers would join the Sun Belt in July 2016, initially as a non-football member. The football team will join the Sun Belt in 2017, the second year of its transition from FCS to FBS football.{{cite press release|url=http://sunbeltsports.org/news/2015/9/1/GENERAL_0901151041.aspx?path=general |title=Coastal Carolina to Join Sun Belt Conference |publisher=Sun Belt Conference |date=September 1, 2015 |access-date=September 13, 2015}}
New arenas
- The Omaha Mavericks left their home since 2012, the off-campus Ralston Arena, for the new on-campus Baxter Arena. The Mavericks' first game in the new arena was on November 13 against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, with the Mavericks losing 60–59.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400841802 |title=UC Santa Barbara beats Nebraska-Omaha 60-59 with late tip-in |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=November 13, 2015 |access-date=November 14, 2015}}
- The Ole Miss Rebels also opened a new arena, but unlike Omaha, the move was from one campus venue to another. Tad Smith Coliseum, home to the Rebels since 1966, was replaced by The Pavilion at Ole Miss. The new arena, with a capacity of 9,500, opened on January 7, with the Rebels defeating Alabama 74–66.{{cite press release |url=http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/010716aaa.html |title=Saiz, Rebels Rule Opening Night at The Pavilion |publisher=Ole Miss Rebels |date=January 7, 2016 |access-date=January 8, 2016 |archive-date=January 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125134256/http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/010716aaa.html |url-status=dead }}
Season outlook
=Pre–season polls=
{{See also|2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings}}
The top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls.
| style="vertical-align:top;"
| {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| Ranking
!Team |
|---|
| 1
| align=left|North Carolina |
| 2
| align=left|Kentucky |
| 3
| align=left|Maryland |
| 4
| align=left|Kansas |
| 5
| align=left|Duke |
| 6
| align=left|Virginia |
| 7
| align=left|Iowa State |
| 8
| align=left|Oklahoma |
| 9
| align=left|Gonzaga |
| 10
| align=left|Wichita State |
| 11
| align=left|Villanova |
| 12
| align=left|Arizona |
| 13
| align=left|Michigan State |
| 14
| align=left|California |
| 15
| align=left|Indiana |
| 16
| align=left|Utah |
| 17
| align=left|Wisconsin |
| 18
| align=left|Vanderbilt |
| 19
| align=left|Notre Dame |
| 20
| align=left|UConn |
| 21
| align=left|LSU |
| 22
| align=left|Baylor |
| 23
| align=left|Purdue |
| 24
| align=left|Butler |
| 25
| align=left|Michigan |
|
| style="vertical-align:top;"
| {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" !colspan=2| USA Today Coaches{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/2 |title=2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings – USA Today Coaches Poll Preseason (Nov. 2) |work=ESPN |access-date=October 17, 2015}} |
| Ranking
!Team |
|---|
| 1
| align=left|Kentucky |
| 1
| align=left|North Carolina |
| 3
| align=left|Maryland |
| 4
| align=left|Duke |
| 5
| align=left|Kansas |
| 6
| align=left|Virginia |
| 7
| align=left|Iowa State |
| 8
| align=left|Oklahoma |
| 9
| align=left|Villanova |
| 10
| align=left|Arizona |
| 11
| align=left|Gonzaga |
| 12
| align=left|Wichita State |
| 13
| align=left|Michigan State |
| 14
| align=left|California |
| 15
| align=left|Indiana |
| 16
| align=left|Utah |
| 17
| align=left|Wisconsin |
| 18
| align=left|Notre Dame |
| 19
| align=left|LSU |
| 20
| align=left|Vanderbilt |
| 21
| align=left|Baylor |
| 22
| align=left|Butler |
| 23
| align=left|West Virginia |
| 24
| align=left|UConn |
| 25
| align=left|Purdue |
|}
|}
Regular season
=Early season tournaments=
| class="wikitable"
! Name | Dates | Location | No. teams | Champion |
| Puerto Rico Tip-Off
| November 19–20, 22 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum |8 | Miami (FL) | ||||
| Charleston Classic
| November 19–20, 22 | TD Arena |8 | Virginia | ||||
| 2K Sports Classic
| November 20, 22 | Madison Square Garden |4 | Duke | ||||
| Paradise Jam tournament
| November 20–23 | Sports and Fitness Center |8 | South Carolina | ||||
| Hall of Fame Tip Off
| November 21–22 | Mohegan Sun Arena |4 | Purdue (Naismith) Buffalo (Springfield) | ||||
| CBE Hall of Fame Classic
| November 23–24 | Sprint Center |4 | North Carolina | ||||
| Legends Classic
| November 23–24 | Barclays Center |4 | Marquette | ||||
| Gulf Coast Showcase
| November 23–25 | Germain Arena |8 | Weber State | ||||
| Maui Invitational
| November 23–25 | Lahaina Civic Center |8 | Kansas | ||||
| Men Who Speak Up Main Event
| November 23, 25 | MGM Grand Garden Arena |8 | Howard (Middleweight Bracket) Creighton (Heavyweight Bracket) | ||||
| Cancún Challenge
| November 24–25 | Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort |8 | South Dakota State (Mayan Division) Maryland (Riviera Division) | ||||
| Battle 4 Atlantis
| November 25–27 | Imperial Arena |8 | Syracuse | ||||
| Great Alaska Shootout
| November 25–28 | Sullivan Arena |8 | Middle Tennessee | ||||
| NIT Season Tip-Off
| November 26–27 | Barclays Center |4 | Villanova | ||||
| AdvoCare Invitational
| November 26–27, 29 | HP Field House |8 | Xavier | ||||
| Wooden Legacy
| November 26–27, 29 | Anaheim Convention Center |8 | Michigan State | ||||
| Las Vegas Invitational
| November 26–27 |4 | West Virginia | ||||
| Barclays Center Classic
| November 27–28 | Barclays Center |4 | Cincinnati | ||||
| Corpus Christi Coastal Classic
| November 27–28 | American Bank Center |4 | UTEP | ||||
| Emerald Coast Classic
| November 27–28 | Emerald Coast Classic Arena |4 | Iowa State | ||||
| Las Vegas Classic
| December 22–23 |4 | SMU | ||||
| Diamond Head Classic
| December 22–23, 25 | Stan Sheriff Center |8 | Oklahoma |
=Conferences=
==Conference winners and tournaments==
Thirty-one conference regular seasons concluded with a single-elimination tournament. The teams in each conference that won their regular-season titles were given the number one seed in their respective conference tournaments. Conference tournament winners received an automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. For the final time, the Ivy League was the only NCAA Division I conference that did not hold a conference tournament, instead sending its regular-season champion to the NCAA tournament.
{{reflist|group=c}}
==Conference standings==
| cellpadding="5"
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 America East Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Atlantic 10 men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 ACC men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Atlantic Sun men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Big East men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Big Sky men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Big South men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Big 12 men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Big West men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 CAA men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Conference USA men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Horizon League men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Ivy League men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 MAAC men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Mid-American Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 MEAC men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Mountain West Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Northeast Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Pac-12 Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Patriot League men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Southeastern Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Southern Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Southland Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 SWAC men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Summit League men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 Sun Belt Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 West Coast Conference men's basketball standings|normal=1}}
|valign="top" width=30%|{{2015–16 WAC men's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
= Informal championships =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!Conference !Regular | ||
| Philadelphia Big 5 | Villanova | DeAndre' Bembry, Saint Joseph's |
Villanova finished with a 4–0 record in head-to-head competition among the Philadelphia Big 5.
=Statistical leaders=
[https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/men/2016-leaders.html Source for additional stats categories]
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" | ||||||||||||||
| colspan=3 | {{center|Points per game}} | colspan=3 | {{center|Rebounds per game}} | colspan=3 | {{center|Assists per game}} | colspan=3 | {{center|Steals per game}} | |||||||||||
| Player | School | PPG | Player | School | RPG | Player | School | APG | Player | School | SPG | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Daniel III | Howard | 27.1 | Egidijus Mockevičius | Evansville | 14.0 | Kay Felder | Oakland | 9.3 | Tra-Deon Hollins | Omaha | 4.0 | |||
| Buddy Hield | Oklahoma | 25.0 | Rokas Gustys | Hofstra | 13.0 | Jordan Johnson | Milwaukee | 8.1 | Hameed Ali | Texas A&M–CC | 2.7 | |||
| Josh Adams | Wyoming | 24.7 | Joel Bolomboy | Weber State | 12.6 | Jaaron Simmons | Ohio | 7.9 | Carrington Love | Green Bay | 2.6 | |||
| Kay Felder | Oakland | 24.4 | Shawn Long | LA-Lafayette | 12.1 | Denzel Valentine | Michigan State | 7.8 | Gary Payton II | Oregon State | 2.5 | |||
| Stefan Moody | Ole Miss | 23.6 | Chris Horton | Austin Peay | 12.0 | Kyle Collinsworth | BYU | 7.4 | Kris Dunn | Providence | 2.5 |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" | ||||||||||||||
| colspan=3 | {{center|Blocked shots per game}} | colspan=3 style="text-align:center;" | Field goal percentage | colspan=3 style="text-align:center;" | Three-point field goal percentage | colspan=3 style="text-align:center;" | Free throw percentage | |||||||||||
| Player | School | BPG | Player | School | FG% | Player | School | 3FG% | Player | School | FT% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vashil Fernandez | Valparaiso | 3.3 | Evan Bradds | Belmont | 71.4 | Giddy Potts | Middle Tennessee | 50.6 | Fletcher Magee | Wofford | 92.5 | |||
| Tai Odiase | UIC | 3.2 | Venky Jois | Eastern Washington | 67.9 | Bryn Forbes | Michigan State | 48.1 | Ben Millaud-Meunier | St. Francis (PA) | 91.0 | |||
| Jameel Warney | Stony Brook | 3.0 | Derrick Griffin | Texas Southern | 66.2 | Fletcher Magee | Wofford | 47.9 | Q. J. Peterson | VMI | 90.5 | |||
| Laron Smith | Bethune–Cookman | 3.0 | Rokas Gustys | Hofstra | 66.0 | Matt Donlan | Youngstown State | 46.3 | Sam Hunt | NC A&T | 90.4 | |||
| Luke Kornet | Vanderbilt | 3.0 | Adrian Diaz | FIU | 65.0 | Trent Mackey | North Florida | 46.0 | Jaleen Smith | New Hampshire | 90.0 |
Postseason
=NCAA tournament=
{{main|2016 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament}}
==Tournament upsets==
For this list, a "major upset" is defined as a win by a team seeded 7 or more spots below its defeated opponent.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Date ! Winner ! Score ! Loser ! Region ! Round |
| March 17
| Yale (12) | 79–75 | Baylor (5) | West | Round of 64 |
| March 17
| Little Rock (12) | 85–83 (2OT) | Purdue (5) | Midwest | Round of 64 |
| March 18
| Hawaii (13) | 77–66 | California (4) | South | Round of 64 |
| March 18
| Middle Tennessee (15) | 90–81 | Michigan State (2) | Midwest | Round of 64 |
| March 18
| Stephen F. Austin (14) | 70–56 | West Virginia (3) | East | Round of 64 |
| March 19
| Gonzaga (11) | 82–59 |Utah (3) |Midwest |Round of 32 |
| March 27
| Syracuse (10) | 68–62 |Virginia (1) |Midwest |Elite 8 |
Final Four – NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
File:Nrg stadium.jpg in Houston, Texas, hosted the NCAA men's Final Four.]]
{{main|2016 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Game}}
{{4TeamBracket
| RD1=National Semifinals
April 2
| RD2=National Championship game
Apr 4
| score-width=25
| team-width=130
| RD1-seed1= 2 (W)
| RD1-team1= Oklahoma
| RD1-score1= 51
| RD1-seed2= 2 (S)
| RD1-team2= Villanova
| RD1-score2= 95
| RD1-seed3= 1 (E)
| RD1-team3= North Carolina
| RD1-score3= 83
| RD1-seed4= {{nowrap|10 (MW)}}
| RD1-team4= Syracuse
| RD1-score4= 66
| RD2-seed1= {{nowrap|2 (S)}}
| RD2-team1= Villanova
| RD2-score1= 77
| RD2-seed2= {{nowrap|1 (E)}}
| RD2-team2= North Carolina
| RD2-score2= 74
}}
=National Invitation tournament=
{{main|2016 National Invitation Tournament}}
After the NCAA tournament field was announced, the NCAA invited 32 teams to participate in the National Invitation Tournament. The tournament began on March 15, 2016 with all games prior to the semifinals were played on campus sites.
==NIT Semifinals and Final==
Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 29 and 31
The semifinals and final were held on March 29 and March 31 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
{{4TeamBracket
| RD1=Semifinals
March 29
| RD2=Championship game
March 31
| score-width=25
| team-width=130
| RD1-seed1= 1
| RD1-team1= Valparaiso
| RD1-score1= 72
| RD1-seed2= 2
| RD1-team2= BYU
| RD1-score2= 70
| RD1-seed3= 4
| RD1-team3= George Washington
| RD1-score3= 65
| RD1-seed4= 2
| RD1-team4= San Diego State
| RD1-score4= 46
| RD2-seed1= 1
| RD2-team1= Valparaiso
| RD2-score1= 60
| RD2-seed2= 4
| RD2-team2= George Washington
| RD2-score2= 76
}}
=Vegas 16 tournament=
{{main|2016 Vegas 16 Tournament}}
After the NCAA tournament field was announced, eight teams were invited to participate in the first-ever Vegas 16 Tournament. The tournament began on March 28, 2016, with all eight teams playing in the opening round. The semifinals was played on March 29, and the championship game on March 30. All games were played at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Vegas 16 Tournament was never held again.
{{4TeamBracket
| RD1=Semifinals
March 29
| RD2=Championship game
March 30
| score-width=25
| team-width=130
| RD1-seed1=
| RD1-team1=Old Dominion
| RD1-score1= 64
| RD1-seed2=
| RD1-team2= UC Santa Barbara
| RD1-score2=49
| RD1-seed3=
| RD1-team3= Oakland
| RD1-score3= 104
| RD1-seed4=
| RD1-team4= East Tennessee State
| RD1-score4= 81
| RD2-seed1=
| RD2-team1=Old Dominion
| RD2-score1= 68
| RD2-seed2=
| RD2-team2= Oakland
| RD2-score2= 67
}}
=College Basketball Invitational=
{{main|2016 College Basketball Invitational}}
The ninth College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Tournament began on March 15, 2016. This tournament featured 16 teams who were left out of the NCAA tournament and NIT.
{{4TeamBracket
| legs = 1/3
| seeds = n
| RD1=Semifinals
March 23
| RD2=Championship Series
March 28, April 1
| RD1-team1=Morehead State
| RD1-score1=77
| RD1-team2= Ohio
| RD1-score2=72
| RD1-team3= Nevada
| RD1-score3= 86
| RD1-team4= Vermont
| RD1-score4=72
| RD2-team1=Morehead State
| RD2-score1-1=86
| RD2-score1-2= 68
| RD2-score1-3= 82
| RD2-team2=Nevada
| RD2-score2-1= 83
| RD2-score2-2= 77
| RD2-score2-3=85*
|-
}}
=CollegeInsider.com Postseason tournament=
{{main|2016 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament}}
The eighth CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament began on March 14 and ended with that championship game on March 29. This tournament places an emphasis on selecting successful teams from "mid-major" conferences who were left out of the NCAA tournament and NIT. 26 teams participated in this tournament.
{{4TeamBracket
| RD1=Semifinals
March 27
| RD2=Championship
March 29
| score-width=25
| team-width=130
| RD1-seed1=
| RD1-team1=NJIT
| RD1-score1=65
| RD1-seed2=
| RD1-team2= Columbia
| RD1-score2=80
| RD1-seed3=
| RD1-team3= UC Irvine
| RD1-score3=66
| RD1-seed4=
| RD1-team4= Coastal Carolina
| RD1-score4=47
| RD2-seed1=
| RD2-team1=Columbia
| RD2-score1= 73
| RD2-seed2=
| RD2-team2=UC Irvine
| RD2-score2= 67
}}
Award winners
=Consensus All-American teams=
{{main|2016 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans}}
The following players are recognized as the 2016 Consensus All-Americans:
| style="width:600px" "border:'1' 'solid' 'gray'"
|+ Consensus First Team |
| style="background:#ccc; width:40%;"| Player
! style="background:#ccc; width:4%;"| Position ! style="background:#ccc; width:16%;"| Class ! style="background:#ccc; width:40%;"| Team |
|---|
| Malcolm Brogdon
| SG | Senior | Virginia |
| Buddy Hield
| SG | Senior | Oklahoma |
| Brice Johnson
| PF | Senior |
| Ben Simmons
| F | Freshman |
| Tyler Ulis
| PG | Sophomore | Kentucky |
| Denzel Valentine
| SG | Senior |
| style="width:600px" "border:'1' 'solid' 'gray' "
|+ Consensus Second Team |
| style="background:#ccc; width:40%;"| Player
! style="background:#ccc; width:4%;"| Position ! style="background:#ccc; width:16%;"| Class ! style="background:#ccc; width:40%;"| Team |
|---|
| Kris Dunn
| PG | Junior |
| Perry Ellis
| PF | Senior | Kansas |
| Georges Niang
| PF/SF | Senior |
| Jakob Pöltl
| C | Sophomore | Utah |
| Jarrod Uthoff
| PF | Senior | Iowa |
=Major player of the year awards=
- Wooden Award: Buddy Hield, Oklahoma{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/15166801/wooden-award-buddy-hield-oklahoma-sooners-breanna-stewart-uconn-huskies-win |title=Buddy Hield, Breanna Stewart honored as nation's top players}}
- Naismith Award: Buddy Hield, Oklahoma{{cite press release |url=http://naismithtrophy.com/press-release/2016-naismith-trophy-mcpoy/ |title=2016 Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year |publisher=Atlanta Tipoff Club |date=April 3, 2016 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416033436/http://naismithtrophy.com/press-release/2016-naismith-trophy-mcpoy/ |archive-date=April 16, 2016 }}
- Associated Press Player of the Year: Denzel Valentine, Michigan State{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/15104884/michigan-state-spartans-denzel-valentine-wins-associated-press-player-year |title=Denzel Valentine edges Buddy Hield for AP Player of Year|date=31 March 2016 }}
- NABC Player of the Year: Denzel Valentine, Michigan State{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2016/03/michigan_states_denzel_valenti_36.html|title=Michigan State's Denzel Valentine named NABC national player of the year |access-date=2015-03-29|date=2016-03-29|publisher=MLive.com}}
- Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): Buddy Hield, Oklahoma{{cite press release|url=http://sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2016/oscar160401.html |title=Oklahoma's Hield Wins 2015–16 Oscar Robertson Trophy |publisher=United States Basketball Writers Association |date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=April 1, 2016}}
- Sporting News Player of the Year: Buddy Hield, Oklahoma{{cite magazine|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball-news/4697492-sporting-news-college-basketball-player-of-the-year-buddy-hield-2015-16|title=Oklahoma's Buddy Hield dazzles his way to Sporting News Player of the Year |access-date=2015-03-07|date=2016-03-07|magazine=Sporting News}}
=Major freshman of the year awards=
=Major coach of the year awards=
- Associated Press Coach of the Year: Bill Self, Kansas{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/15104889/kansas-jayhawks-bill-self-wins-ap-coach-year |title=Bill Self wins AP Coach of the Year|date=31 March 2016 }}
- Henry Iba Award (USBWA): Chris Mack, Xavier{{cite web|url=http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2016/iba160309.html|title=Xavier's Mack Wins 2015-16 Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award |access-date=2015-03-09|date=2016-03-09|publisher=USBWA}}
- NABC Coach of the Year: Bill Self, Kansas{{cite web|url=http://www.kuathletics.com/news/2016/3/30/mens-basketball-self-named-nabc-national-coach-of-the-year.aspx|title=Self Named NABC National Coach of the Year |access-date=2015-03-30|date=2016-03-29|publisher=Kansas Jayhawks}}
- Naismith College Coach of the Year: Jay Wright, Villanova{{cite press release|url=https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2016/04/03/villanova-wildcats-jay-wright-naismith-coach-winner |title=Villanova's Jay Wright named Naismith Coach of the Year |work=Sports Illustrated |date=April 3, 2016 |access-date=April 3, 2016}}
- Sporting News Coach of the Year: Tubby Smith, Texas Tech{{cite magazine|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball-news/4697615-college-basketball-coach-of-the-year-sporting-news-tubby-smith|title=Tubby Smith's knack for rebuilding earns him Sporting News Coach of the Year |access-date=2015-03-08|date=2016-03-08|magazine=Sporting News}}
=Other major awards=
- Bob Cousy Award (Best point guard): Tyler Ulis, Kentucky
- Jerry West Award (Best shooting guard): Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
- Julius Erving Award (Best small forward): Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
- Karl Malone Award (Best power forward): Georges Niang, Iowa State
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Best center): Jakob Pöltl, Utah
- Pete Newell Big Man Award (Best big man): Jakob Pöltl, Utah{{Cite web | title = Utah's Jakob Poeltl named Pete Newell Big Man of the Year | publisher = deseretnees.com | date = March 31, 2016 | url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865651263/Utahs-Poeltl-named-Pete-Newell-Big-Man-of-the-Year.html?pg=all | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160407165437/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865651263/Utahs-Poeltl-named-Pete-Newell-Big-Man-of-the-Year.html?pg=all | url-status = dead | archive-date = April 7, 2016 | access-date = March 31, 2016}}
- NABC Defensive Player of the Year: Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia{{Cite web | title = Brogdon Named NABC Defensive Player of the Year | publisher = virginiasports.com | date = March 31, 2016 | url = http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/033116aaa.html | access-date = March 31, 2016}}
- Senior CLASS Award (top senior): Denzel Valentine, Michigan State{{Cite web | title = Michigan State's Denzel Valentine wins 2016 Senior CLASS Award in men's basketball | publisher = seniorclassaward.com | date = March 31, 2016 | url = http://www.seniorclassaward.com/news/view/michigan_states_denzel_valentine_wins_2016_senior_class_award_in_mens_baske/ | access-date = March 31, 2016}}
- Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): DeAndre' Bembry, Saint Joseph's{{Cite web | title = Bembry, Coyle take Player of Year honors | publisher = thereporteronline.com | date = March 21, 2016 | url = http://www.thereporteronline.com/general-news/20160321/bembry-coyle-take-player-of-year-honors | access-date = March 21, 2016}}
- Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Isaiah Whitehead, Seton Hall[http://www.app.com/story/sports/college/2016/04/12/seton-halls-whitehead-wins-haggerty-award/82924738/ Seton Hall's Whitehead wins Haggerty Award]
- Ben Jobe Award (Top minority coach): Dana Ford, Tennessee State{{Cite web | title = TSU's Dana Ford Named Winner of Ben Jobe Award | publisher = OVCSports.com | date = April 4, 2016 | url = http://www.ovcsports.com/news/2016/4/4/MBB_0404164855.aspx | access-date = April 5, 2016}}
- Hugh Durham Award (Top mid-major coach): James Jones, Yale{{Cite web | title = Jones Wins Hugh Durham Award | publisher = yalebulldogs.com | date = April 4, 2016 | url = http://www.yalebulldogs.com/sports/m-baskbl/2015-16/releases/20160404vyacmd | access-date = April 5, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160419220202/http://www.yalebulldogs.com/sports/m-baskbl/2015-16/releases/20160404vyacmd | archive-date = April 19, 2016 | url-status = dead }}
- Jim Phelan Award (Top head coach): Greg Gard, Wisconsin{{Cite web | title = Greg Gard named Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year | publisher = Madison.com | date = April 5, 2016 | url = http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/college/basketball/men/badgers-men-s-basketball-greg-gard-named-jim-phelan-national/article_cec0a17e-7e64-55ca-91ff-0c0c72ebfe2d.html | access-date = April 5, 2016}}
- Lefty Driesell Award (Top defensive player): Vashil Fernandez, Valparaiso{{Cite web | title = Fernandez Named National Defensive Player of the Year By College Insider; Leads Nation in Blocked Shots | publisher = ValpoAthletics.com | date = April 5, 2016 | url = http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2015-16/15424/fernandez-named-national-defensive-player-of-the-year-by-college-insider-leads-nation-in-blocked-shots/#.VwRbtE0UWr8 | access-date = April 5, 2016}}
- Lou Henson Award (Top mid-major player): Thomas Walkup, Stephen F. Austin{{Cite press release | title = Walkup Tabbed as 2016 Lou Henson Player of the Year | publisher = Stephen F. Austin Athletics | date = April 5, 2016 | url = http://www.sfajacks.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040516aaa.html | access-date = April 5, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160408123938/http://www.sfajacks.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040516aaa.html | archive-date = April 8, 2016 | url-status = dead }}
- Lute Olson Award (Top non-freshman or transfer player): Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
- Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award (Coach with moral character): Zach Spiker, Army{{Cite web | title = Spiker Named Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award Winner | publisher = drexeldragons.com | date = April 4, 2016 | url = http://www.drexeldragons.com/news/2016/4/4/mens-basketball-spiker-named-skip-prosser-man-of-the-year-award-winner.aspx?path=mbball | access-date = April 5, 2016}}
- Academic All-American of the Year (Top scholar-athlete): Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa{{cite web|url=http://www.cosida.com/documents/2016/3/3//2016_Academic_AA_D1_Basketball_Teams.pdf?id=1731|title=UNIVERSITY OF IOWA'S ALLY DISTERHOFT & JARROD UTHOFF HEADLINE 2015-16 CoSIDA DIVISION I MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA® TEAMS|access-date=2015-02-27|date=2016-03-03|publisher=College Sports Information Directors of America}}
- Elite 90 Award (Top GPA among upperclass players at Final Four): C. J. Cole, Oklahoma
Coaching changes
Several teams changed coaches during and after the season.
See also
Notes
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