1972–73 Memphis State Tigers men's basketball team

1972–73 Memphis State Tigers men's basketball
NCAA tournament, runner-up
Missouri Valley Conference Champions
National Championship Game,
L 66-87 vs. UCLA
ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 11
APNo. 12
Record24–6 (12–2 MVC)
Head coach
Home arenaMid-South Coliseum
1972–73 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 12 Memphis State122 .857246  .800
Louisville113 .786237  .767
Saint Louis104 .714197  .731
Tulsa104 .714188  .692
New Mexico State68 .4291214  .462
Wichita State68 .4291016  .385
Drake59 .3571412  .538
Bradley410 .2861214  .462
North Texas State410 .286916  .360
West Texas State212 .143917  .346
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1972–73 Memphis State Tigers men's basketball team represented Memphis State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference during the 1972–73 men's college basketball season. The team was led by third-year head coach Gene Bartow and played their home games at Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee.

As MVC champions, the Tigers participated in the 1973 NCAA Tournament. They defeated South Carolina and Kansas State to reach the first Final Four in program history. After a win over Providence to reach the national championship game, Memphis State was defeated by unbeaten, 6-time defending National champion UCLA, 87–66. The team finished with a 24–6 record (12–2 MVC).