2008 NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship
# 2008 NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship

The 2008 NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship was the 40th annual NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship to determine the national champion of NCAA men's collegiate water polo. Tournament matches were played at the Avery Aquatic Center in Stanford, California from December 6–7, 2008.

USC defeated Stanford in the final, 7–5, to win their fourth national title. The undefeated Trojans (29–0) were coached by Jovan Vavic. This would go on to become the first of USC's record six straight national championships (2008–2013).

The Most Outstanding Player of the tournament was J.W. Krumpholz from USC. Additionally, two All-Tournament Teams were named: a First Team (with seven players, including Krumpholz) and a Second Team (also with ninth players).

The tournament's leading scorer, with 6 goals, was Kyle Wertz from Navy.

## Qualification

Since there has only ever been one single national championship for water polo, all NCAA men's water polo programs (whether from Division I, Division II, or Division III) were eligible. A total of 4 teams were invited to contest this championship.

| Team | Appearance | Previous |
| - | - | - |
| Loyola Marymount | 6th | 2007 |
| Navy | 14th | 2007 |
| USC | 23rd | 2007 |
| Stanford | 29th | 2005 |

## Bracket

* Site: Avery Aquatic Center, Stanford, California

| Semifinals December 6 | Semifinals December 6 | Semifinals December 6 | Championship December 7 | Championship December 7 | Championship December 7 |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | USC (27–0) | 14 | | | |
| 4 | Navy (20–9) | 9 | | | |
| 4 | Navy (20–9) | 9 | 1 | USC | 7 |
| | | | 2 | Stanford | 5 |
| 2 | Stanford (24–5) | 6 | 2 | Stanford | 5 |
| 3 | Loyola Marymount (20–9) | 5 | Third Place December 7 | Third Place December 7 | Third Place December 7 |
| | | | 4 | Navy | 4 |
| | | | 3 | Loyola Marymount | 11 |

## All-tournament teams

### First Team

* J.W. Krumpholz, USC (Most outstanding player)
* Shea Buckner, USC
* Tim Hummel, Loyola Marymount
* Matt Sagehorn, USC
* Andy Stevens, Loyola Marymount
* Drac Wigo, Stanford
* Sage Wright, Stanford

### Second Team

* Tibor Forai, Loyola Marymount
* Tim Heafner, Loyola Marymount
* Will Hindle-Katel, Stanford
* Peter Kurzeka, USC
* Arjan Ligtenberg, USC
* Mike Mulvey, Navy
* Jimmie Sandman, Stanford
* Jovan Vranes, USC
* Janson Wigo, Stanford
