The 1961 NCAA College Division basketball tournament involved 32 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA College Division college basketball as a culmination of the 1960-61 NCAA College Division men's basketball season. It was won by Wittenberg University and South Dakota State's Don Jacobson was the Most Outstanding Player.
Location: Memorial Health Building Host: Austin Peay State College
Location: Bollman Center Host: Albright College
Location: Judd Gymnasia Host: Springfield College
Location: Chadwick Court Host: Wabash College
Location: Henry Crown Field House Host: University of Chicago
Location: Houck Field House Host: Southeast Missouri State College
Location: The Barn Host: South Dakota State College
Location: Robertson Gymnasium Host: University of California, Santa Barbara
<nowiki>*</nowiki>denotes each overtime played
Location: Roberts Municipal Stadium Host: Evansville College
<nowiki>*</nowiki>denotes each overtime played