The 2001 NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament was the 45th annual single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college basketball in the United States.
Officially culminating the 2000–01 NCAA Division II men's basketball season, the tournament featured forty-eight teams from around the country.
The Elite Eight, national semifinals, and championship were played, for the first time, at the Centennial Garden in Bakersfield, California.
After losing in the previous year's final, Kentucky Wesleyan (31–3) defeated Washburn in the final, 72–63, to win their record eighth Division II national championship. It was additionally their second title in three years and fourth consecutive appearance in the title game.
The Panthers were coached by Ray Harper. Kentucky Wesleyan's Lorico Duncan was the Most Outstanding Player.
Regionals
Northeast - Garden City, New York Location: Woodruff Hall Host: Adelphi University
South - St. Petersburg, Florida Location: MacArthur Physical Education Center Host: Eckerd College
Great Lakes - Owensboro, Kentucky Location: Sportscenter Host: Kentucky Wesleyan College
North Central - St. Cloud, Minnesota Location: Halenbeck Hall Host: St. Cloud State University
South Atlantic - Charlotte, North Carolina Location: Brayboy Gymnasium Host: Johnson C. Smith University
South Central - Topeka, Kansas Location: Lee Arena Host: Washburn University
East - Fort Mill, South Carolina Location: Hornets Training Facility Host: Queens College, with support from the NBA Charlotte Hornets
West - Bellingham, Washington Location: Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium Host: Western Washington University
Elite Eight - Bakersfield, California Location: Bakersfield Centennial Garden Host: California State University, Bakersfield
All-tournament team Lorico Duncan, Kentucky Wesleyan (MOP) Marshall Sanders, Kentucky Wesleyan Ewan Auguste, Washburn Ryan Murphy, Washburn Sylvere Bryan, Washburn
See also 2001 NCAA Division II women's basketball tournament 2001 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 2001 NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament 2001 NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament 2001 NAIA Division II men's basketball tournament
References NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament Results 2001 NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament jonfmorse.com