The 2003 NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament was the 47th annual single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college basketball in the United States.
Officially culminating the 2002âÂÂ03 NCAA Division II men's basketball season, the tournament featured, for the first time, sixty-four teams from around the country.
The Elite Eight, national semifinals, and championship were played, for the first time, at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Florida.
Northeastern State (32âÂÂ3) defeated Kentucky Wesleyan in the final, 75âÂÂ64, to win their first Division II national championship.
It was concurrently Kentucky Wesleyan's sixth straight appearance in the title game (winning in 1999 and 2001), although this appearance, along with that from 2002, would later be vacated by the NCAA.
The winning Redmen were coached by Larry Gipson. Northeastern State's Darnell Hinson was the Most Outstanding Player.
Location: Ovens Athletic Center Host: Queens University of Charlotte
Location: Warden Arena Host: Rollins College
Location: Wisdom Gymnasium Host: Tarleton State University
Location: Cushing Coliseum Host: University of Nebraska at Kearney
Location: Costello Gym Host: University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Location: Lumpkin Center Host: Columbus State University
Location: Student Development Center Gymnasium Host: Michigan Technological University
Kentucky Wesleyan's participation in the 2002-2004 tournaments was vacated by the NCAA due to a widespread problem with athlete eligibility.
Location: George Q. Cannon Activities Center Host: Brigham Young University-Hawai'i
Location: Jenkins Field House Host: Florida Southern College