**1999–2000 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Season**
**Definition**
The 1999–2000 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season was a collegiate basketball campaign in the United States that began in November 1999 and concluded with the NCAA tournament championship game in April 2000. The season featured regular-season play, conference tournaments, and culminated in the crowning of the national champion.
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## 1999–2000 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Season
The 1999–2000 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season was a significant period in college basketball history, marked by intense competition, standout individual performances, and memorable moments. The season began in November 1999 and concluded with the Final Four held in Indianapolis, Indiana, in April 2000. Michigan State University emerged as the national champion, securing their second NCAA title by defeating Florida in the championship game.
### Preseason and Early Season
The preseason polls favored several powerhouse programs, including Duke, Michigan State, Arizona, and Connecticut. Duke entered the season as the defending national champion, having won the 1999 NCAA tournament. Early non-conference games set the tone for the season, with many top-ranked teams facing off in high-profile matchups that helped shape the national rankings.
### Regular Season Highlights
Throughout the regular season, numerous teams vied for conference supremacy and national recognition. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten, Big East, and Southeastern Conference (SEC) were particularly competitive, featuring multiple ranked teams. Michigan State, led by coach Tom Izzo, demonstrated consistent excellence, while Florida, under coach Billy Donovan, emerged as a formidable contender in the SEC.
Individual players also made significant impacts. Mateen Cleaves of Michigan State was a standout leader and was later named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Other notable players included Kenyon Martin of Cincinnati, who was recognized as the consensus National Player of the Year, and Jamaal Magloire of Kentucky.
### Conference Tournaments
As the regular season concluded, conference tournaments provided teams with opportunities to secure automatic bids to the NCAA tournament. The Big East tournament was won by St. John’s, while Michigan State captured the Big Ten tournament title. These tournaments often featured intense competition and occasional upsets, influencing the seeding and selection for the NCAA tournament.
### NCAA Tournament
The 2000 NCAA tournament featured 64 teams competing in a single-elimination format. The tournament began in mid-March and culminated in the Final Four held at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Michigan State, seeded No. 1 in the Midwest region, advanced through the bracket with strong defensive play and balanced scoring.
In the national semifinals, Michigan State defeated Wisconsin, while Florida overcame North Carolina to set up the championship game. The final, held on April 3, 2000, saw Michigan State defeat Florida 89–76 to claim the national championship. Mateen Cleaves was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament for his leadership and clutch performances.
### Awards and Honors
– **Consensus National Player of the Year:** Kenyon Martin (Cincinnati)
– **Naismith College Player of the Year:** Kenyon Martin (Cincinnati)
– **Wooden Award:** Kenyon Martin (Cincinnati)
– **Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament:** Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State)
– **Coach of the Year:** Tom Izzo (Michigan State)
### Legacy and Impact
The 1999–2000 season is remembered for Michigan State’s rise to national prominence under Tom Izzo, establishing the program as a perennial contender. The season also highlighted the emergence of future NBA talent and showcased the growing parity in college basketball, with multiple conferences producing competitive teams.
The success of players like Kenyon Martin and Mateen Cleaves helped elevate the profile of college basketball during this period. Additionally, the season contributed to the ongoing popularity of the NCAA tournament, often referred to as „March Madness,” as a major sporting event in the United States.
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**Meta Description:**
The 1999–2000 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season featured Michigan State’s national championship run, standout players like Kenyon Martin, and intense competition across major conferences. The season culminated in a memorable NCAA tournament held in Indianapolis.