2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season

Basketball season August 2023 March 2026 2002 NCAA logo.svg Arizona Wildcats November 10, 2002–March 16, 2003 March 17 April 7, 2003 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, Louisiana Syracuse Orangemen St. John's Red Storm T. J. Ford, Texas Longhorns The 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2002, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 7, 2003, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Syracuse Orangemen and coach Jim Boeheim won their first NCAA national championship with an 81–78 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks. Season headlines The preseason AP All-American team was named on November 12. David West of Xavier was the leading vote-getter (43 of 72 votes). The rest of the team included Luke Walton (42 votes) and Jason Gardner (39) of Arizona, Kirk Hinrich of Kansas (35) and Erwin Dudley of Alabama (32).Walton And Gardner Head Preseason All-America Team https://web.archive.org/web/20110727191228/http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111202aab.html 2011-07-27 , Arizona Wildcats, retrieved 2010-07-29 The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) held its last third-place game between the teams which lost in the semifinals. The tournament included a third-place game from 1938 through 1981 and again from 1984 through 2003. Major rule changes Beginning in 2002–03, the following rules changes were implemented:2008–09 NCAA Record Book – Playing Rules History section Two free-throw lane spaces closest to the free-thrower would remain unoccupied. No free throws were awarded to the offended team in bonus for personal fouls committed by a team while in team control or in possession of the ball during a throw-in (team-control foul). Season outlook Pre-season polls The top 25 from the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls November 13, 2002.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings?seasonYear=2004&weekNumber=1&seasonType=2 2004 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings (Nov. 13) ESPN 2009-09-03 Associated PressRankingTeam1Arizona (50)2Kansas (14)3Oklahoma (6)4Texas5Pittsburgh (1)6Duke7Florida8Alabama9Michigan State10Xavier11Oregon12Mississippi State (1)13Maryland14UCLA15Connecticut16Georgia17Kentucky18Marquette19Missouri20Western Kentucky21Indiana22Gonzaga23Cincinnati24Minnesota25Tulsa ESPN/USA Today CoachesRankingTeam1Arizona (27)2Kansas (3)3Oklahoma (1)4Pittsburgh5Texas6Duke7Florida8Alabama9Oregon10Michigan State11Xavier12UCLA13Mississippi State14Connecticut15Maryland16Georgia17Kentucky18Missouri19Marquette20Cincinnati21Indiana22Gonzaga23Western Kentucky24Minnesota25Illinois Conference membership changes These schools joined new conferences for the 2002–03 season. SchoolFormer conferenceNew conference Gardner Webb Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs NCAA Division II independent Atlantic Sun Conference Savannah State Savannah State Tigers NCAA Division II independent NCAA Division I independent Texas A&M Corpus Christi Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders NCAA Division III independent NCAA Division I independent Regular season Conferences Conference winners and tournaments ConferenceRegular season winnerhttps://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/standings?year=2003 NCAA Division I Basketball Standings – 2002–2003 March 14, 2003 ESPN 2009-09-01Conference player of the yearConference tournamentTournament venue (City)Tournament winnerAmerica East Conference Boston University Taylor Coppenrath, VermontAmerica East Players of the Year, America East Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 America East men's basketball tournament Walter Brown Arena(Boston, Massachusetts)(Except Finals) VermontAmerica East Championship results, America East Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01Atlantic 10 Conference St. Joseph's (East)Xavier (West) David West, Xavier2008–09 A-10 men's basketball media guide – Awards section https://web.archive.org/web/20110523131521/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/atl10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0809-mg-pt8.pdf 2011-05-23 , Atlantic 10 Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament University of Dayton Arena (Dayton, Ohio) Dayton2008–09 A-10 men's basketball media guide – Championship section https://web.archive.org/web/20110523131639/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/atl10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0809-mg-pt9.pdf 2011-05-23 , Atlantic 10 Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01Atlantic Coast Conference Wake Forest Josh Howard, Wake Foresthttps://godeacs.com/news/2003/3/19/Howard_Named_ACC_Player_Of_The_Year.aspx Howard Named ACC Player Of The Year GoDeacs.com Wake Forest University Associated Press March 19, 2003 June 5, 2022 2003 ACC men's basketball tournament Greensboro Coliseum(Greensboro, North Carolina) Dukehttp://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031603aaa.html Blue Devils Win Fifth Straight ACC Tournament Title Atlantic Coast Conference March 16, 2003 2009-09-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20120918112621/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031603aaa.html September 18, 2012 dead mdy-allAtlantic Sun Conference Troy & Mercer Adam Sonn, BelmontAtlantic Sun men's basketball record book, Atlantic Sun Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Atlantic Sun men's basketball tournament GSU Sports Arena(Atlanta, Georgia) TroyBig 12 Conference Kansas Nick Collison, KansasBig 12 Conference Basketball Coaches Select All-Big 12 Team, Big 12 Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Big 12 men's basketball tournament American Airlines Center(Dallas, Texas) Oklahomahttp://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=106110&SPID=13134&DB_OEM_ID=10410&ATCLID=1518652 Sooners Capture Big 12 Crown March 16, 2003 Big 12 Conference 2009-09-01Big East Conference Connecticut & Boston College (East)Syracuse & Pittsburgh (West) Troy Bell, Boston College2008–09 Big East men's basketball media guide – Records section https://web.archive.org/web/20090204070728/http://www.bigeast.org/fls/19400/pdfs/mensbball/record-book.pdf?SPSID=92557&SPID=11228&DB_OEM_ID=19400 February 4, 2009 , Big East Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Big East men's basketball tournament Madison Square Garden(New York City, New York) PittsburghBig Sky Conference Weber State Jermaine Boyette, Weber Statehttps://archive.today/20120722162522/http://www.bigskyconf.com/Sports/mbball/2008/MBBAwardWinners060508.asp Men's Basketball Award Winners, Big Sky Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Big Sky men's basketball tournament Dee Events Center(Ogden, Utah)(Semifinals and Finals) Weber Statehttps://bigskyconf.com/documents/2021/11/5//2021_22_Media_Guide_Record_Book.pdf?path=mbball 2021–22 Men's Basketball Media Guide BigSkyConf.com Big Sky Conference 103 2021 2022-06-05Big South Conference Winthrop Torrey Butler, Coastal Carolina2008–09 Big South men's basketball media guide – History section, Big South Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Big South Conference men's basketball tournament Vines Center(Lynchburg, Virginia)(Semifinals and Finals) UNC AshevilleBig Ten Conference Wisconsin Brian Cook, Illinois2008–09 Men's Basketball Media Guide https://web.archive.org/web/20090422153120/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2008btmbbguide.pdf 2009-04-22 , Big Ten Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament United Center(Chicago, Illinois) IllinoisBig West Conference UC Santa Barbara Branduinn Fullove, UC Santa Barbara2008–09 Big West Conference men's basketball media guide https://web.archive.org/web/20110716232233/http://www.bigwest.org/sports/mbball/0708_MB_Media_Guide.pdf 2011-07-16 , Big West Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Big West Conference men's basketball tournament Anaheim Convention Center(Anaheim, California) Utah StateColonial Athletic Association UNC Wilmington Brett Blizzard, UNC WilmingtonCAA men's basketball record book https://web.archive.org/web/20090326170036/http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/8500/supportfiles/Records/recordbookmbask.pdf 2009-03-26 , Colonial Athletic Association, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 CAA men's basketball tournament Richmond Coliseum(Richmond, Virginia) UNC WilmingtonConference USA Marquette Dwyane Wade, MarquetteMarquette's Wade and Crean Earn Top C-USA Men's Basketball Honors https://web.archive.org/web/20110930045733/http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031203aab.html 2011-09-30 , Conference USA, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Conference USA men's basketball tournament Freedom Hall(Louisville, Kentucky) Louisvillehttp://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031503aaa.html Louisville Wins 2003 Kelly Tires Conference USA Tournament Conference USA March 15, 2003 2009-09-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20110930045802/http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031503aaa.html September 30, 2011 dead mdy-allHorizon League Butler Willie Green, Detroit2008–09 Horizon League men's basketball media guide https://web.archive.org/web/20121112082702/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/hori/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0809_MBB-Back-Pages.pdf 2012-11-12 , Horizon League, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Horizon League men's basketball tournament U.S. Cellular Arena(Milwaukee, Wisconsin)(Except First Round) Wisconsin-MilwaukeeIvy League Penn Ugonna Onyekwe, PennMen's Ivy League Outstanding performers https://web.archive.org/web/20060113234825/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/alltime.asp?intSID=6 2006-01-13 , Ivy League, retrieved 2009-09-01 No TournamentMetro Atlantic Athletic Conference Manhattan Luis Flores, ManhattanMen's Basketball All-MAAC Awards https://web.archive.org/web/20090312044952/http://www.maacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17400&ATCLID=940275 2009-03-12 , Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 MAAC men's basketball tournament Sovereign Bank Arena(Trenton, New Jersey) Manhattanhttp://www.maacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17400&ATCLID=1060599 Men's Basketball Championship History MAAC June 30, 2007 2009-09-01Mid-American Conference Kent State (East)Central Michigan (West) Chris Kaman, Central Michigan2008–09 MAC Men's Basketball Media Guide https://web.archive.org/web/20090716163044/https://www.nmnathletics.com/ July 16, 2009 , Mid-American Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 MAC men's basketball tournament Gund Arena(Cleveland, Ohio) Central MichiganMid-Continent Conference Valparaiso Mike Helms, OaklandMen's Basketball Yearly Award Winners https://web.archive.org/web/20100813160634/http://www.thesummitleague.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3900&ATCLID=921790&SPID=1768&SPSID=21773 2010-08-13 , Summit League, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Mid-Continent Conference men's basketball tournament Kemper Arena(Kansas City, Missouri) IUPUIhttp://www.thesummitleague.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=21773&SPID=1768&DB_OEM_ID=3900&ATCLID=921786 Men's Basketball Year-by-Year Regular Season and Tournament Champions August 8, 2008 Summit League 2009-09-01 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110723023119/http://www.thesummitleague.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=21773&SPID=1768&DB_OEM_ID=3900&ATCLID=921786 July 23, 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference South Carolina State Ron Williamson, Howardhttps://archive.today/20120717062626/http://onnidan.com/02-03/news/march/meac0301.htm Ron Williamson Named MEAC Player Of The Year, Omnidan News, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament Richmond Coliseum(Richmond, Virginia) South Carolina State2008–09 MEAC men's basketball media guide https://web.archive.org/web/20120922070741/https://admin.xosn.com/fls/20800/media_guides/2008-09/mens_basketball/MBBRecords.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=20800 2012-09-22 , MEAC, retrieved 2009-09-01Missouri Valley Conference Southern Illinois Kyle Korver, Creighton2008–09 MVC men's basketball media guide – Honors section https://web.archive.org/web/20090716163044/https://www.nmnathletics.com/ July 16, 2009 , Missouri Valley Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament Savvis Center(St. Louis, Missouri) Creighton2008–09 MVC men's basketball media guide – Tournament section, Missouri Valley Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01Mountain West Conference Utah & BYU Ruben Douglas, New MexicoAll-Mountain West Conference Men's Basketball Teams Announced https://web.archive.org/web/20110717020004/http://www.themwc.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031003aac.html 2011-07-17 , Mountain West Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 MWC men's basketball tournament Thomas & Mack Center(Paradise, Nevada) Colorado Statehttp://www.themwc.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031503aaa.html Mountain West Champions! Mountain West Conference March 5, 2003 2009-09-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20110717020015/http://www.themwc.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031503aaa.html July 17, 2011 dead mdy-allNortheast Conference Wagner Jermaine Hall, Wagner2002–03 NEC Men's Basketball All-Conference Team https://web.archive.org/web/20110608182200/http://www.northeastconference.org/Sports/mbball/2003/mballconf03.asp 2011-06-08 , Northeast Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Northeast Conference men's basketball tournament Campus Sites WagnerNEC Men's Basketball History https://web.archive.org/web/20090305125629/http://www.northeastconference.org/sidebar.asp?id=443&path=mbball 2009-03-05 , Northeast Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01Ohio Valley Conference Austin Peay & Morehead State Ricky Minard, Morehead State2008–09 OVC men's basketball media guide, Ohio Valley Conference, retrieved 2009-09-01 2003 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament Gaylord Entertainment Center(Nashville, Tennessee)(Semifinals and Finals) Austin PeayPacific-10 Conference Arizona Luke Ridnour, Oregonhttps://goducks.com/sports/2003/3/10/25356 Ridnour Named Pac-10 Player of the Year GoDucks.com March 10, 2003 June 5, 2022 2003 Pacific-10 Conference men's basketball tournament Staples Center(Los Angeles, California) Oregonhttp://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031503aab.html Oregon Claims Pac-10 Tournament Title Pac-10 Conference March 15, 2003 2015-12-09 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040219073537/http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031503aab.html February 19, 2004 Patriot League Holy Cross Patrick Whearty, Holy CrossAll-Time Patriot League Men's Basketball Awards https://web.archive.org/web/20080517090308/http://patriotleague.cstv.com/school-bio/patr-all-time-awards-m-baskbl.html 2008-05-17 , Patriot League, retrieved 2009-09-02 2003 Patriot League men's basketball tournament Campus Sites Holy Crosshttp://www.patriotleague.org/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031403aaa.html Holy Cross Wins Patriot League championship Over American, 72–64 Patriot League March 14, 2003 2009-09-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20110727165919/http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031403aaa.html July 27, 2011 dead mdy-allSoutheastern Conference Kentucky (East) Mississippi State (West) Keith Bogans, Kentucky (Coaches)Coaches Vote Smith, Bogans Tops in SEC https://web.archive.org/web/20120225034731/http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031203aab.html 2012-02-25 , University of Kentucky, retrieved 2009-09-02 Ron Slay, Tennessee (AP)Ron Slay bio https://web.archive.org/web/20120224204734/http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/slay_ron00.html 2012-02-24 , University of Tennessee, retrieved 2009-09-02 2003 SEC men's basketball tournament Louisiana Superdome(New Orleans, Louisiana) Kentuckyhttp://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031603aaa.html Wildcats Win SEC Tournament Championship! University of Kentucky March 16, 2003 2009-09-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225034755/http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031603aaa.html February 25, 2012 dead mdy-allSouthern Conference East Tennessee State, Appalachian State & Davidson (North)Charleston (South) Troy Wheless, CharlestonSoCon Coaches Name 2002–03 All-Conference Team, Southern Conference, retrieved 2009-09-02 2003 Southern Conference men's basketball tournament North Charleston Coliseum(North Charleston, South Carolina) East Tennessee StateEast Tennessee State Wins 2003 SoCon Championship, Southern Conference, retrieved 2009-09-02Southland Conference Sam Houston State Donald Cole, Sam Houston State2008–09 Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Media Guide, Southland Conference, retrieved 2009-09-02 2003 Southland Conference men's basketball tournament Bernard Johnson Coliseum(Huntsville, Texas)(Finals) Sam Houston StateSouthwestern Athletic Conference Prairie View A&M Gregory Burks, Prairie View A&M2006–07 SWAC Men's Basketball Media Guide 2003 Southwestern Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament Fair Park Arena(Birmingham, Alabama) Texas Southernhttp://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=230742640 https://archive.today/20120715141525/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=230742640 dead July 15, 2012 Tigers book their fourth trip to NCAA tourney ESPN March 15, 2003 2009-09-01Sun Belt Conference Western Kentucky (East)Louisiana–Lafayette (West) James Moore, New Mexico StateNew Mexico State's James Moore named Men's Basketball Player of the Year: MT's Kermit Davis, Jr. named Coach of the Year https://web.archive.org/web/20110718191834/http://www.sunbeltsports.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22326&SPID=1825&DB_OEM_ID=4100&ATCLID=155046 2011-07-18 , Sun Belt Conference, retrieved 2009-09-02 2003 Sun Belt men's basketball tournament E. A. Diddle Arena(Bowling Green, Kentucky) Western Kentuckyhttps://www.nmnathletics.com//pdf7/93641.pdf?ATCLID=1293051&SPID=1825&DB_OEM_ID=4100&SPSID=22332 2007–08 Sun Belt Men's Basketball Media Guide Sun Belt Conference October 31, 2007 2009-09-02 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090716163044/http://www.nmnathletics.com/ July 16, 2009 West Coast Conference Gonzaga Blake Stepp, GonzagaWCC Men's Basketball Record Book https://web.archive.org/web/20110523143240/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/west/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2008-09mbbrecordbook.pdf 2011-05-23 , West Coast Conference, retrieved 2009-09-03 2003 West Coast Conference men's basketball tournament Jenny Craig Pavilion(San Diego, California) San Diegohttp://wccsports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031103aaa.html https://archive.today/20120715184158/http://wccsports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031103aaa.html dead July 15, 2012 For the first time in WCC tournament history, the San Diego Toreros are the WCC men's basketball tournament champions West Coast Conference March 10, 2003 2009-09-03Western Athletic Conference Fresno State Quinton Ross, Southern Methodist2008–09 WAC Men's Basketball Media Guide – Records Section https://web.archive.org/web/20090716163044/https://www.nmnathletics.com/ July 16, 2009 , Western Athletic Conference, retrieved 2009-09-02 2003 WAC men's basketball tournament Reynolds Center(Tulsa, Oklahoma) Tulsa Conference standings Division I independents Eight schools played as Division I independents.https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/independent/men/2003.html Sports Reference 2002-03 Men's Independent Season Summary September 13, 2024 Informal championships ConferenceRegular season winnerMost Valuable PlayerPhiladelphia Big 5 Saint Joseph's Jameer Nelson, Saint Joseph's Saint Joseph's finished with a 4–0 record in head-to-head competition among the Philadelphia Big 5. Statistical leaders Source for additional stats categories Points per game Rebounds per game Assists per game Steals per game Player School PPG Player School RPG Player School APG Player School SPG Ruben Douglas New Mexico 28.0 Brandon Hunter Ohio 12.6 Martell Bailey Illinois-Chicago 8.1 Alexis McMillan Stetson 4.0 Henry Domercant E. Illinois 27.9 Amien Hicks Morris Brown 12.4 Marques Green St. Bonaventure 8.0 Zakee Wadood E. Tennessee St. 3.2 Mike Helms Oakland 26.9 Adam Sonn Belmont 12.1 T. J. Ford Texas 7.7 Jay Heard Jacksonville St. 3.2 Michael Watson UMKC 25.5 Chris Kaman C. Michigan 12.0 Elliott Prasse-Freeman Harvard 7.7 Eric Bush UAB 3.1 Troy Bell Boston College 25.2 David West Xavier 11.8 Antawn Dobie LIU 7.4 Marcus Hatten St. John's 2.9 Blocked shots per game Field goal percentage Three-point FG percentage Free throw percentage Player School BPG Player School FG% Player School 3FG% Player School FT% Emeka Okafor UConn 4.7 Adam Mark Belmont 67.0 Jeff Schiffner Penn 49.3 Steve Drabyn Belmont 95.1 Nick Billings Binghamton 4.3 Rickey White Maine 66.2 Kyle Korver Creighton 48.0 Matt Logie Lehigh 94.8 Justin Rowe Maine 4.2 Matt Nelson Colorado St. 64.3 Terrence Woods Florida A&M 45.7 Hollis Price Oklahoma 92.9 Deng Gai Fairfield 3.8 Armond Williams Illinois-Chicago 63.9 Chez Marks Morehead St. 45.6 Brian Dux Canisius 92.0 Robert Battle Drexel 3.7 Michael Harris Rice 62.3 Tyson Dorsey Samford 45.5 JJ Redick Duke 91.9 Postseason tournaments NCAA tournament 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Final Four – Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana thumb|The Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, hosted the NCAA men's Final Four. National semifinals National championship game E3 Syracuse 95 S1 Texas 84 M3 Marquette 61 W2 Kansas 94 E3 Syracuse 81 W2 Kansas 78 National Invitation tournament 2003 National Invitation Tournament Semifinals & finals no Semifinals Finals Third place   Georgetown 88   Minnesota 74   Texas Tech 63   St. John's 64   Georgetown 67   St. John's 70   Minnesota 61   Texas Tech 71 Award winners Consensus All-American teams 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans + Consensus First Team Player Position Class Team David West F Senior Xavier T. J. Ford G Sophomore Texas Josh Howard F/G Senior Wake Forest Nick Collison F Senior Kansas Dwyane Wade G Junior Marquette + Consensus Second Team Player Position Class Team Hollis Price G Senior Oklahoma Carmelo Anthony F/G Freshman Syracuse Kyle Korver F Senior Creighton Troy Bell G Senior Boston College Jason Gardner G Senior Arizona Major player of the year awards Wooden Award: T. J. Ford, Texas Naismith Award: T. J. Ford, Texas Associated Press Player of the Year: David West, Xavier NABC Player of the Year: Nick Collison, Kansas Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): David West, Xavier Adolph Rupp Trophy: David West, Xavier Sporting News Player of the Year: T. J. Ford, Texas Major freshman of the year awards USBWA Freshman of the Year: Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse Sporting News Freshman of the Year: Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse Major coach of the year awards Associated Press Coach of the Year: Tubby Smith, Kentucky Henry Iba Award (USBWA): Tubby Smith, Kentucky NABC Coach of the Year: Tubby Smith, Kentucky Naismith College Coach of the Year: Tubby Smith, Kentucky CBS/Chevrolet Coach of the Year: Tubby Smith, Kentucky Sporting News Coach of the Year: Tubby Smith, Kentucky Other major awards Pete Newell Big Man Award (Best big man): David West, Xavier NABC Defensive Player of the Year: Emeka Okafor, Connecticut Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (Best player under 6'0): Jason Gardner, Arizona Lowe's Senior CLASS Award (top senior): David West, Xavier Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph's NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Luis Flores, Manhattan Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award (Strong personal character): Brandon Miller, Butler Coaching changes A number of teams changed coaches throughout the season and after the season ended.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2003/03/10/coaching_changes/ https://web.archive.org/web/20030713163535/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2003/03/10/coaching_changes/ dead July 13, 2003 Division I Coaching Changes Sports Illustrated 2009-10-01 TeamFormerCoachInterimCoachNewCoachReasonAlcorn StateDavey WhitneySamuel WestArkansas-Little RockPorter MoserSteve ShieldsCal State FullertonDonny DanielsBob BurtonCampbellBilly LeeRobbie LaingChicago StateBo EllisKevin JonesClemsonLarry ShyattOliver PurnellCleveland StateRollie MassiminoMike GarlandColumbiaArmond HillJoe Jones DaytonOliver Purnell Brian GregoryDrakeKurt KanaskieTom DavisEast Tennessee StateEd DeChellisMurry BartowElonMark SimonsErnie NestorFordhamBob HillDereck WhittenburgGeorgiaJim HarrickDennis FeltonGeorgia StateLefty DriesellMichael PerryHigh PointJerry SteeleBart LundyIllinoisBill SelfBruce WeberIllinois StateTom RichardsonPorter MoserIowa StateLarry EustachyWayne MorganEustachy quit following the release of pictures of him at a party near the campus of the University of Missouri.https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/06/sports/ncaabasketball/06iowa.html?ex=1053236138&ei=1&en=f76fe0fb05d714e0 https://web.archive.org/web/20130417054013/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/06/sports/ncaabasketball/06iowa.html?ex=1053236138&ei=1&en=f76fe0fb05d714e0 dead 2013-04-17 Iowa State's Eustachy Quits in Wake of Scandal New York Times 2009-10-01 Damon Hack 2003-05-06 Jackson StateAndy StoglinTevester AndersonKansasRoy WilliamsBill SelfAfter turning down the North Carolina job previously, Williams accepted the position at his alma mater. MarshallGreg WhiteRon JirsaMount St. Mary'sJim PhelanMilan BrownPhelan retired after 49 years and 830 victories.Murray StateTevester AndersonMick CroninNorth CarolinaMatt DohertyRoy WilliamsDoherty resigned after rumors of player unrest.http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/104715/ Matt Doherty Resigns As UNC's Coach WRAL 2009-10-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20110614061249/http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/104715/ 2011-06-14 live 2003-04-02 UNC alum Williams is hired away from Kansas.North Carolina A&TCurtis HunterJerry EavesPenn StateJerry DunnEd DeChellisPittsburghBen HowlandJamie DixonSt. BonaventureJan van Breda KolffAnthony SolomonSouth Carolina StateCy AlexanderBen BettsSouth FloridaSeth GreenbergRobert McCullumSouthernBen JobeMichael GrantSouthern IllinoisBruce WeberMatt PainterTennessee StateNolan Richardson IIIHosea LewisCy AlexanderRichardson III was suspended and ultimately resigned after allegedly threatening an assistant coach with a gun.https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/ovc/2003-01-09-richardsoniii-resigns_x.htm Tennessee State's Richardson steps down over gun incident June 9, 2012 January 9, 2003 USA TodayUCLASteve LavinBen HowlandLavin was fired following a 10–19 season.Virginia TechRicky StokesSeth GreenbergWagnerDereck WhittenburgMike DeaneWashington StatePaul GrahamDick BennettWestern IllinoisJim KerwinDerek ThomasWestern KentuckyDennis FeltonDarrin HornWestern MichiganRobert McCullumSteve HawkinsWilliam & MaryRick BoyagesTony ShaverWright StateEd SchillingPaul Biancardi References 2