| Year: | 1981 |
| Conference: | Eastern 8 |
| Division: | I |
| Gender: | Men's |
| Teams: | 8 |
| Arena: | Civic Arena |
| City: | Pittsburgh |
| Champions: | Pittsburgh |
| Titlecount: | 1st |
| Coach: | Roy Chipman |
| Coachcount: | 1st |
| Mvp: | Lenny McMillan |
| Mvpteam: | Pittsburgh |
The 1981 Eastern 8 men's basketball tournament was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Civic Arena from March 3–7, 1981 (first round games were held at campus sites). Pittsburgh defeated Duquesne 64-60 to win their first tournament championship. Lenny McMillan of Pittsburgh was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.