| NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship | |
| Year: | 1990 |
| Dates: | December 1990 |
| Num Teams: | 8 |
| Winners: | California (9th title) |
| Second: | Stanford (9th title game) |
| Matches: | 12 |
| Goals: | 239 |
| Attendance: | 3185 |
| Scoring Leader: | Lucas Nicolao, Navy. (10) |
| Award: | Chris Humbert (California) |
| Prev Season: | 1989 |
| Next Season: | 1991 |
The 1990 NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship was the 22nd 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 Belmont Plaza Pool in Long Beach, California during December 1990.[1]
California defeated Stanford in the final, 8–7, to win their ninth national title. Coached by Steve Heaston, the Golden Bears finished the season 29–1.
The Most Outstanding Player of the tournament was Chris Humbert (California). Humbert, along with six other players, was named to the All-Tournament Team.
The tournament's leading scorer, with 10 goals, was Lucas Nicolao from Navy.
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 8 teams were invited to contest this championship.
| Team | Appearance | Previous | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 6th | 1986 | |
| Brown | 11th | 1989 | |
| California | 17th | 1989 | |
| UC Santa Barbara | 12th | 1985 | |
| Navy | 5th | 1988 | |
| Pepperdine | 8th | 1989 | |
| Stanford | 18th | 1989 | |
| UCLA | 18th | 1988 |
Geoffrey Clark, Pepperdine