1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season

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The 1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began in November 1996 and concluded in the 64-team 1997 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, whose finals were held at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Arizona Wildcats earned their first national championship by defeating the Kentucky Wildcats 84–79 on March 31, 1997. They were coached by Lute Olson, and the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player was Arizona's Miles Simon.

Preseason AP No. 1Cincinnati Bearcats
RegularseasonNovember 1996 –
March 1997
NCAATournament1997
Tournament datesMarch 13 – 31, 1997
Quick facts –97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Preseason AP No. 1 ...
1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
Preseason AP No. 1Cincinnati Bearcats
Regular seasonNovember 1996 –
March 1997
NCAA Tournament1997
Tournament datesMarch 13 – 31, 1997
National ChampionshipRCA Dome
Indianapolis, Indiana
NCAA ChampionsArizona Wildcats
Other championsMichigan Wolverines (Vacated) (NIT)
Player of the Year
(Naismith, Wooden)		Tim Duncan, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Close

In the 32-team 1997 National Invitation Tournament, the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Florida State Seminoles at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Michigan later vacated the 1997 NIT title after the NCAA ruled that players Robert Traylor and Louis Bullock were ineligible.

Following the season, the 1997 NCAA Men's Basketball All-American Consensus First Team included Tim Duncan, Danny Fortson, Raef LaFrentz, Ron Mercer, and Keith Van Horn.

Season headlines

Pre-season polls

The top 25 from the pre-season AP Poll.

More information Associated Press, Ranking ...
Associated Press
Ranking Team
1 Cincinnati
2 Kansas
3 Kentucky
4 Wake Forest
5 UCLA
6 Utah
7 Villanova
8 North Carolina
9 Michigan
10 Duke
11 Iowa State
12 Syracuse
13 Arkansas
14 Fresno State
15 Massachusetts
16 Texas
17 New Mexico
18 Stanford
19 Arizona
20 Clemson
21 Boston College
22 Minnesota
23 Iowa
24 George Washington
25 Marquette
Close

Conference membership changes

These schools joined new conferences for the 1996–97 season.

More information School, Former conference ...
School Former conference New conference
Baylor Bears Southwest Conference Big 12 Conference
Boise State Broncos Big Sky Conference Big West Conference
Cal Poly Mustangs American West Conference Big West Conference
Cal State Northridge Matadors American West Conference Big Sky Conference
Colorado Buffaloes Big Eight Conference Big 12 Conference
Eastern Illinois Panthers Mid-Continent Conference Ohio Valley Conference
Houston Cougars Southwest Conference Conference USA
Idaho Vandals Big Sky Conference Big West Conference
Iowa State Cyclones Big Eight Conference Big 12 Conference
Kansas Jayhawks Big Eight Conference Big 12 Conference
Kansas State Wildcats Big Eight Conference Big 12 Conference
Missouri Tigers Big Eight Conference Big 12 Conference
Nebraska Cornhuskers Big Eight Conference Big 12 Conference
Nevada–Las Vegas (UNLV) Runnin' Rebels Big West Conference Western Athletic Conference
North Texas Mean Green Southland Conference Big West Conference
Oklahoma Sooners Big Eight Conference Big 12 Conference
Oklahoma State Cowboys Big Eight Conference Big 12 Conference
Portland State Vikings Pacific West Conference (D-II) Big Sky Conference
Rice Owls Southwest Conference Western Athletic Conference
Sacramento State Hornets American West Conference Big Sky Conference
San Jose State Spartans Big West Conference Western Athletic Conference
SMU Mustangs Southwest Conference Western Athletic Conference
Southern Utah Thunderbirds American West Conference NCAA Division I Independent
TCU Horned Frogs Southwest Conference Western Athletic Conference
Texas Longhorns Southwest Conference Big 12 Conference
Texas A&M Aggies Southwest Conference Big 12 Conference
Texas Tech Red Raiders Southwest Conference Big 12 Conference
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Missouri Valley Conference Western Athletic Conference
Close

Regular season

Conferences

Conference winners and tournaments

Twenty-seven conferences concluded their seasons with a single-elimination tournament, with only the Big Ten Conference, Ivy League, and Pac-10 Conference choosing not to conduct conference tournaments. Conference tournament winners received an automatic bid to the 1997 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

More information Conference, Regular season winner ...
Conference Regular
season winner[1]		 Conference
player of the year		 Conference
tournament		 Tournament
venue (City)		 Tournament
winner
America East ConferenceBoston UniversityTunji Awojobi, Boston University[2]1997 America East men's basketball tournamentCase Gym
(Boston, Massachusetts)		Boston University[3]
Atlantic 10 ConferenceSt. Joseph's (East)
Xavier (West)		Marc Jackson, Temple[4]1997 Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournamentThe Spectrum
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)		St. Joseph's[5]
Atlantic Coast ConferenceDukeTim Duncan, Wake Forest[6]1997 ACC men's basketball tournamentGreensboro Coliseum
(Greensboro, North Carolina)		North Carolina[7]
Big 12 ConferenceKansasRaef LaFrentz, Kansas[8]1997 Big 12 men's basketball tournamentKemper Arena
(Kansas City, Missouri)		Kansas[9]
Big East ConferenceBoston College & Villanova (Big East 6)
Georgetown (Big East 7)		Pat Garrity, Notre Dame[10]1997 Big East men's basketball tournamentMadison Square Garden
(New York City, New York)		Boston College[10]
Big Sky ConferenceNorthern ArizonaCharles Thomas, Northern Arizona[11]1997 Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournamentWalkup Skydome
(Flagstaff, Arizona)		Montana[11]
Big South ConferenceUNC AshevilleJosh Pittman, UNC Asheville[12]1997 Big South Conference men's basketball tournamentVines Center
(Lynchburg, Virginia)		Charleston Southern[12]
Big Ten ConferenceMinnesota (Vacated)Bobby Jackson, Minnesota (Vacated)[13]No Tournament
Big West ConferencePacific (Western)
Nevada (Eastern)		Faron Hand, Nevada[14]1997 Big West Conference men's basketball tournamentLawlor Events Center
(Reno, Nevada)		Pacific[14]
Colonial Athletic AssociationOld DominionOdell Hodge, Old Dominion[15]1997 CAA men's basketball tournamentRichmond Coliseum
(Richmond, Virginia)		Old Dominion[15]
Conference USACincinnatiDanny Fortson, Cincinnati[16]1997 Conference USA men's basketball tournamentKiel Center
(St. Louis, Missouri)		Marquette[16]
Ivy LeaguePrincetonSydney Johnson, Princeton[17]No Tournament
Metro Atlantic Athletic ConferenceIonaMindaugas Timinskas, Iona[18]1997 MAAC men's basketball tournamentMarine Midland Arena
(Buffalo, New York)		Fairfield[19]
Mid-American ConferenceBowling Green
Miami (OH)		Antonio Daniels, Bowling Green[20]1997 MAC men's basketball tournamentSeaGate Convention Centre
(Toledo, Ohio)		Miami (OH)[20]
Mid-Continent ConferenceValparaisoBryce Drew, Valparaiso[21]1997 Mid-Continent Conference men's basketball tournamentThe MARK of the Quad Cities
(Moline, Illinois)		Valparaiso[21]
Mid-Eastern Athletic ConferenceCoppin StateRoderick Blakney, South Carolina State1997 MEAC men's basketball tournamentRichmond Coliseum
(Richmond, Virginia)		Coppin State
Midwestern Collegiate ConferenceButlerJon Neuhouser, Butler[22]1997 MCC men's basketball tournamentNutter Center
(Dayton, Ohio)		Butler
Missouri Valley ConferenceIllinois StateJason Daisy, Northern Iowa[23]1997 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournamentKiel Center
(St. Louis, Missouri)		Illinois State
Northeast ConferenceLong IslandCharles Jones, Long Island[24]1997 Northeast Conference men's basketball tournamentSchwartz Athletic Center
(Brooklyn, New York)		Long Island[25]
Ohio Valley ConferenceAustin Peay
Murray State		Bubba Wells, Austin Peay[26]1997 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournamentGaylord Entertainment Center
(Nashville, Tennessee)
(Semifinals and Finals)		Murray State[26]
Pacific-10 ConferenceUCLAEd Gray, California[27]No Tournament
Patriot LeagueNavyAdonal Foyle, Colgate[28]1997 Patriot League men's basketball tournamentAlumni Hall
(Annapolis, Maryland)		Navy[29]
Southeastern ConferenceSouth Carolina (East)
Ole Miss (West)		Ron Mercer, Kentucky[30]1997 SEC men's basketball tournamentPyramid Arena
(Memphis, Tennessee)		Kentucky
Southern ConferenceMarshall (North)
Chattanooga (South)		Johnny Taylor, Chattanooga[31]1997 Southern Conference men's basketball tournamentGreensboro Coliseum
(Greensboro, North Carolina)		Chattanooga[32]
Southland ConferenceTexas StateRosell Ellis, McNeese State[33]1997 Southland Conference men's basketball tournamentHirsch Memorial Coliseum
(Shreveport, Louisiana)		Texas State
Southwestern Athletic ConferenceMississippi Valley StateRandy Bolden, Texas Southern[34]1997 SWAC men's basketball tournament—Jackson State
Sun Belt ConferenceSouth AlabamaMuntrelle Dobbins, Little Rock[35]1997 Sun Belt men's basketball tournamentBarton Coliseum
(Little Rock, Arkansas)		South Alabama
Trans America Athletic ConferenceCollege of CharlestonAnthony Johnson, College of Charleston[36]1997 TAAC men's basketball tournamentJohn Kresse Arena
(Charleston, South Carolina)		College of Charleston
West Coast ConferenceSt. Mary's
Santa Clara		Marlon Garnett, Santa Clara[37]1997 West Coast Conference men's basketball tournamentGersten Pavilion
(Los Angeles, California)		St. Mary's
Western Athletic ConferenceFresno State (Pacific)
Utah (Mountain)		Anthony Carter, Hawaii
Keith Van Horn, Utah[38]		1997 WAC men's basketball tournamentThomas & Mack Center
(Las Vegas, Nevada)		Utah
Close

Conference standings

More information Conf., Overall ...
1996–97 America East Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Boston University †17–1 .94425–5  .833
Drexel16–2 .88922–9  .710
Hartford11–7 .61117–11  .607
Hofstra9–9 .50012–15  .444
Delaware9–9 .50012–15  .444
Vermont7–11 .38914–13  .519
Northeastern6–12 .3337–20  .259
Maine6–12 .33311–20  .355
New Hampshire5–13 .2787–20  .259
Towson State5–13 .2789–19  .321
† 1997 America East tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll
1996–97 ACC men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 8 Duke12–4 .75024–9  .727
No. 9 Wake Forest11–5 .68824–7  .774
No. 4 North Carolina †11–5 .68828–7  .800
No. 14 Clemson9–7 .56323–10  .697
No. 22 Maryland9–7 .56321–11  .656
Virginia7–9 .43818–13  .581
Florida State6–10 .37520–12  .625
NC State4–12 .25017–15  .531
Georgia Tech3–13 .1889–18  .333
† 1997 ACC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll
1996–97 Atlantic 10 men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
East
No. 12 Saint Joseph's †13–3 .81326–7  .788
Rhode Island12–4 .75020–10  .667
UMass11–5 .68819–14  .576
Temple10–6 .62520–11  .645
St. Bonaventure5–11 .31314–14  .500
Fordham1–15 .0636–21  .222
West
No. 13 Xavier13–3 .81323–6  .793
George Washington8–8 .50015–14  .517
Virginia Tech7–9 .43815–16  .484
Dayton6–10 .37513–14  .481
La Salle5–11 .31310–17  .370
Duquesne5–11 .3139–18  .333
† 1997 Atlantic 10 Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll
1996–97 Big 12 men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 1 Kansas †15–1 .93834–2  .944
No. 24 Colorado11–5 .68822–10  .688
Texas10–6 .62518–12  .600
No. 18 Iowa State10–6 .62522–9  .710
Texas Tech10–6 .62519–9  .679
Oklahoma9–7 .56319–11  .633
Nebraska7–9 .43818–15  .545
Oklahoma State7–9 .43817–15  .531
Baylor6–10 .37518–12  .600
Missouri5–11 .31316–17  .485
Texas A&M3–13 .1889–18  .333
Kansas State3–13 .18810–17  .370
† 1997 Big 12 Tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll [39]
1996–97 Big East men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Big East 6
No. 20 Villanova12–6 .66724–10  .706
No. 23 Boston College†12–6 .66722–9  .710
West Virginia11–7 .61121–10  .677
Notre Dame8–10 .44416–14  .533
St. John's8–10 .44413–15  .464
Connecticut7–11 .38918–15  .545
Big East 7
Georgetown11–7 .61120–10  .667
Providence10–8 .55624–12  .667
Pittsburgh10–8 .55618–15  .545
Miami9–9 .50016–13  .552
Syracuse9–9 .50019–13  .594
Seton Hall5–13 .27810–18  .357
Rutgers5–13 .27811–16  .407
† 1997 Big East tournament winner
As of March 31, 1997[40][41][42]
Rankings from AP poll
1996–97 Big Sky men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Northern Arizona14–2 .87521–7  .750
Montana †11–5 .68821–11  .656
Montana State10–6 .62516–14  .533
Weber State9–7 .56315–13  .536
Idaho State9–7 .56314–13  .519
Cal State Northridge8–8 .50014–15  .483
Portland State6–10 .3759–17  .346
Eastern Washington3–13 .1887–19  .269
Sacramento State2–14 .1253–23  .115
† Conference tournament winner
1996–97 Big South Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
UNC Asheville11–3 .78618–10  .643
Liberty11–3 .78623–9  .719
Radford8–6 .57115–13  .536
Charleston Southern †7–7 .50017–13  .567
Coastal Carolina6–8 .42911–16  .407
UNC Greensboro6–8 .42910–20  .333
Winthrop5–9 .35712–15  .444
UMBC2–12 .1435–22  .185
† 1997 Big South tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll
1996–97 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Iowa12–6 .66722–10  .688
Purdue12–6 .66718–12  .600
No. 19 Illinois11–7 .61122–10  .688
Wisconsin11–7 .61118–10  .643
Indiana9–9 .50022–11  .667
Michigan State9–9 .50017–12  .586
Ohio State5–13 .27810–17  .370
Penn State3–15 .16710–17  .370
Northwestern2–16 .1117–22  .241
No. 3 Minnesota*0–2 .0000–4  .000
Michigan*0–9 .0000–11  .000
Rankings from AP Poll
*Michigan: 24 games vacated; including NIT champ. vacated due to sanctions against the program
*Minnesota: 5 NCAA Tournament games vacated due to sanctions against the program[43]
Disputed records: Michigan-(24–11)(9–9); Minnesota-(31–4)(16–2)
1996–97 Big West men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
East Division
Utah State12–4 .75020–9  .690
New Mexico State12–4 .75019–9  .679
Nevada12–4 .75021–10  .677
Boise State9–7 .56314–13  .519
Idaho5–11 .31313–17  .433
North Texas5–11 .31310–16  .385
West Division
Pacific †12–4 .75024–6  .800
Long Beach State9–7 .56313–14  .481
UC Santa Barbara7–9 .43812–15  .444
Cal State Fullerton6–10 .37513–14  .481
Cal Poly6–10 .37514–16  .467
UC Irvine1–15 .0631–25  .038
† 1997 Big West tournament winner
As of April 1, 1997[44]
Rankings from AP poll
1996–97 CAA men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Old Dominion †10–6 .62522–11  .667
UNC Wilmington10–6 .62516–14  .533
East Carolina9–7 .56317–10  .630
VCU9–7 .56314–13  .519
William & Mary8–8 .50012–16  .429
James Madison8–8 .50016–13  .552
American7–9 .43811–16  .407
Richmond7–9 .43813–15  .464
George Mason4–12 .25010–17  .370
† 1997 CAA tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll
1996–97 Conference USA men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Blue
No. 10 Cincinnati12–2 .85726–8  .765
Marquette †9–5 .64322–9  .710
Saint Louis4–10 .28611–18  .379
DePaul1–13 .0713–23  .115
Red
Tulane11–3 .78620–11  .645
UAB7–7 .50018–14  .563
Southern Miss6–8 .42912–15  .444
South Florida2–12 .1438–19  .296
White
UNC Charlotte10–4 .71422–9  .710
Memphis10–4 .71416–15  .516
No. 25 Louisville9–5 .64326–9  .743
Houston3–11 .21411–16  .407
† 1997 Conference USA Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll[45]
1996–97 Ivy League men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Princeton14–0 1.00024–4  .857
Dartmouth10–4 .71418–8  .692
Harvard10–4 .71417–9  .654
Penn8–6 .57112–14  .462
Cornell7–7 .50015–11  .577
Yale3–11 .21410–16  .385
Brown3–11 .2144–22  .154
Columbia1–13 .0716–20  .231
Rankings from AP Poll[46]
1996–97 MAAC men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Iona11–3 .78622–8  .733
Canisius10–4 .71417–12  .586
Loyola (MD)10–4 .71413–14  .481
Saint Peter's9–5 .64313–15  .464
Manhattan5–9 .3579–18  .333
Niagara5–9 .35711–17  .393
Siena4–10 .2869–18  .333
Fairfield †2–12 .14311–19  .367
† 1997 MAAC tournament winner
1996–97 Mid-American Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Bowling Green13–5 .72222–10  .688
Miami†13–5 .72221–9  .700
Ohio12–6 .66717–10  .630
Eastern Michigan11–7 .61122–10  .688
Ball State9–9 .50016–13  .552
Western Michigan9–9 .50014–14  .500
Kent State7–11 .3899–18  .333
Toledo6–12 .33313–14  .481
Akron6–12 .3338–18  .308
Central Michigan4–14 .2227–19  .269
† 1997 MAC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll
1996–97 Mid-Continent Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Valparaiso †13–5 .72224–7  .774
Buffalo11–5 .68817–11  .607
Western Illinois11–5 .68819–10  .655
Troy State10–6 .62516–11  .593
Northeastern Illinois8–8 .50016–12  .571
Missouri–Kansas City7–9 .43810–17  .370
Youngstown State4–12 .2509–18  .333
Chicago State4–12 .2504–23  .148
Central Connecticut State4–12 .2508–19  .296
† 1997 Mid-Con Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll[47]
1996–97 MEAC men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Coppin State †15–3 .83322–9  .710
South Carolina State12–6 .66714–14  .500
North Carolina A&T11–7 .61115–13  .536
Bethune–Cookman9–9 .50012–16  .429
Morgan State8–10 .4449–18  .333
Florida A&M8–10 .4448–19  .296
Hampton7–11 .3898–19  .296
Delaware State7–11 .3897–20  .259
Howard7–11 .3897–20  .259
Maryland Eastern Shore6–12 .33311–17  .393
† 1997 MEAC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll[48]
1996–97 Midwestern Collegiate Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Butler †12–4 .75023–10  .697
Detroit Mercy11–5 .68816–13  .552
Illinois-Chicago11–5 .68815–14  .517
Wisconsin–Green Bay10–6 .62514–14  .500
Loyola–Chicago7–9 .43812–15  .444
Northern Illinois6–10 .37512–15  .444
Cleveland State6–10 .3759–19  .321
Wright State5–11 .3137–20  .259
Wisconsin–Milwaukee4–12 .2508–20  .286
† 1997 MCC tournament winner
1996–97 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Illinois State †14–4 .77824–6  .800
Bradley12–6 .66717–13  .567
Southwest Missouri State12–6 .66724–9  .727
Northern Iowa11–7 .61116–12  .571
Evansville11–7 .61117–14  .548
Creighton10–8 .55615–15  .500
Wichita State8–10 .44414–13  .519
Southern Illinois6–12 .33313–17  .433
Indiana State6–12 .33312–16  .429
Drake0–18 .0002–26  .071
† 1997 MVC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll[49]
1996–97 Northeast Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Long Island†15–3 .83321–9  .700
Fairleigh Dickinson13–5 .72218–10  .643
Monmouth12–6 .66718–11  .621
Rider10–8 .55614–14  .500
Mount St. Mary's10–8 .55614–13  .519
Saint Francis (PA)9–9 .50012–15  .444
St. Francis Brooklyn7–11 .38913–15  .464
Wagner7–11 .38910–17  .370
Marist4–14 .2226–22  .214
Robert Morris3–15 .1674–23  .148
† 1997 NEC tournament winner
1996–97 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Austin Peay12–6 .66717–14  .548
Murray State †12–6 .66720–10  .667
Middle Tennessee11–7 .61119–12  .613
Tennessee Tech10–8 .55615–13  .536
Eastern Illinois9–9 .50012–15  .444
Southeast Missouri State9–9 .50012–18  .400
UT Martin8–10 .44411–16  .407
Tennessee State7–11 .3899–18  .333
Morehead State6–12 .3338–19  .296
Eastern Kentucky6–12 .3338–18  .308
† 1997 OVC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll[50]
1996–97 Pacific-10 Conference
men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 7 UCLA15–3 .83324–8  .750
No. 21 Stanford12–6 .66722–8  .733
California12–6 .66723–9  .719
USC12–6 .66717–11  .607
No. 15 Arizona11–7 .61125–9  .735
Washington10–8 .55617–11  .607
Oregon8–10 .44417–11  .607
Washington State5–13 .27813–17  .433
Oregon State3–15 .1677–20  .259
Arizona State2–16 .11110–20  .333
Rankings from AP Poll[51]
1996–97 Patriot League men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Navy †10–2 .83320–9  .690
Bucknell9–3 .75018–11  .621
Colgate8–4 .66712–16  .429
Holy Cross5–7 .4178–19  .296
Lafayette5–7 .41711–17  .393
Army4–8 .33310–16  .385
Lehigh1–11 .0831–26  .037
† 1997 Patriot League tournament winner
1996–97 Southeastern Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
East
No. 6 South Carolina15–1 .93824–8  .750
No. 5 Kentucky†13–3 .81335–5  .875
No. 17 Georgia10–6 .62524–9  .727
Vanderbilt9–7 .56319–12  .613
Florida5–11 .31313–17  .433
Tennessee4–12 .25011–16  .407
West
Ole Miss11–5 .68820–9  .690
Arkansas8–8 .50018–14  .563
Auburn6–10 .37516–15  .516
Alabama6–10 .37517–14  .548
Mississippi State6–10 .37512–18  .400
LSU3–13 .18810–20  .333
† 1997 SEC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll
1996–97 Southern Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
North
Marshall10–4 .71420–9  .690
Davidson10–4 .71418–10  .643
Appalachian State8–6 .57114–14  .500
VMI7–7 .50012–16  .429
East Tennessee State2–12 .1437–20  .259
South
Chattanooga†11–3 .78624–11  .686
Western Carolina7–7 .50014–13  .519
The Citadel6–8 .42913–14  .481
Georgia Southern5–9 .35710–18  .357
Furman4–10 .28610–17  .370
† SoCon Tournament winner
As of April 30, 1997
Rankings from AP poll
1996–97 Southland Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
McNeese State10–6 .62518–12  .600
Southwest Texas State †10–6 .62516–13  .552
Northeast Louisiana10–6 .62514–14  .500
Northwestern State8–8 .50013–15  .464
Stephen F. Austin8–8 .50012–15  .444
Texas-Arlington8–8 .50012–15  .444
Nicholls State7–9 .43810–16  .385
Sam Houston State7–9 .4388–18  .308
UTSA4–12 .2509–17  .346
† 1997 Southland tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll[52]
1996–97 SWAC men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Mississippi Valley State11–3 .78619–10  .655
Jackson State †9–5 .64314–16  .467
Alcorn State8–6 .57111–17  .393
Prairie View A&M7–7 .50010–17  .370
Texas Southern6–8 .42912–16  .429
Grambling5–9 .35710–17  .370
Alabama State5–9 .3578–21  .276
Southern5–9 .35710–17  .370
† 1997 SWAC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll
1996–97 Sun Belt Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
New Orleans14–4 .77822–7  .759
South Alabama †14–4 .77823–7  .767
Arkansas–Little Rock11–7 .61118–11  .621
Lamar10–8 .55615–12  .556
Louisiana Tech10–8 .55615–14  .517
Western Kentucky9–9 .50012–15  .444
Southwestern Louisiana9–9 .50012–16  .429
Arkansas State8–10 .44415–12  .556
Jacksonville4–14 .2225–23  .179
Texas–Pan American1–17 .0563–25  .107
† 1997 Sun Belt Conference tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll
1996–97 Trans America Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
East
No. 16 College of Charleston†16–0 1.00029–3  .906
Florida International12–4 .75016–13  .552
Florida Atlantic11–5 .68816–11  .593
Campbell8–8 .50011–16  .407
Stetson5–11 .3139–18  .333
Central Florida4–12 .2507–19  .269
West
Samford11–5 .68819–9  .679
Jacksonville State9–7 .56310–17  .370
Southeastern Louisiana7–9 .43810–18  .357
Georgia State6–10 .37510–17  .370
Centenary6–10 .3759–18  .333
Mercer1–15 .0633–23  .115
† 1997 TAAC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll[53]
1996–97 West Coast Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Santa Clara10–4 .71416–11  .593
Saint Mary's †10–4 .71423–8  .742
San Francisco9–5 .64316–13  .552
San Diego8–6 .57117–11  .607
Gonzaga8–6 .57115–12  .556
Portland4–10 .2869–18  .333
Pepperdine4–10 .2866–21  .222
Loyola Marymount3–11 .2147–21  .250
† 1997 WCC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll
1996–97 WAC men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Mountain
No. 2 Utah †15–1 .93829–4  .879
Tulsa12–4 .75024–10  .706
No. 11 New Mexico11–5 .68825–8  .758
TCU7–9 .43822–13  .629
SMU7–9 .43816–12  .571
Rice6–10 .37512–15  .444
UTEP6–10 .37513–13  .500
BYU0–16 .0001–25  .038
Pacific
Fresno State12–4 .75020–12  .625
Hawaii12–4 .75021–8  .724
UNLV11–5 .68822–10  .688
Colorado State10–6 .62520–9  .690
Wyoming8–8 .50012–16  .429
San Jose State5–11 .31313–14  .481
San Diego State4–12 .25012–15  .444
Air Force2–14 .1257–19  .269
† 1997 WAC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll[54]
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Division I independents

Three schools played as Division I independents.[55] One (Oral Roberts) received a bid to the 1997 National Invitation Tournament.

More information Conf., Overall ...
1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball independents standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Oral Roberts-–- –21–7  .750
Southern Utah-–- –9–17  .346
Wofford-–- –7–20  .259
Rankings from AP Poll
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Informal championships

More information Conference, Regular season winner ...
Conference Regular
season winner		 Most Valuable Player
Philadelphia Big 5Temple & VillanovaRashid Bey, Saint Joseph's, & Alvin Williams, Villanova
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For the sixth consecutive season, the Philadelphia Big 5 did not play a full round-robin schedule in which each team met each other team once, a format it had used from its first season of competition in 1955–56 through the 1990–91 season. Instead, each team played only two games against other Big 5 members, and Temple and Villanova both finished with 2–0 records in head-to-head competition among the Big 5. The Big 5 did not revive its full round-robin schedule until the 1999–2000 season.

Statistical leaders

Source for additional stats categories

More information Player, School ...
Points per game
Rebounds per game
Assists per game
Steals per game
PlayerSchoolPPGPlayerSchoolRPGPlayerSchoolAPGPlayerSchoolSPG
Charles JonesLong Island30.1Tim DuncanWake Forest14.7Kenny MitchellDartmouth7.8Joel HooverMaryland Eastern Shore3.2
Ed GrayCalifornia24.8Adonal FoyleColgate13.1Brevin KnightStanford7.8Philip HuylerFlorida Atlantic3.2
Adonal FoyleColgate24.4Lorenzo ColemanTennessee Tech11.9Kareem GilbertTennessee State7.6Kellii TaylorPittsburgh3.2
Raymond TuttUC Santa Barbara24.0Tony BattieTexas Tech11.8Jamar SmileyIllinois State7.3Moe SegarSt. Peter's3.1
Antonio DanielsBowling Green24.0Muntrelle DobbinsLittle Rock11.4Chad PeckinpaughEastern Illinois7.3Mustafa BarksdaleMonmouth3.0
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More information Player, School ...
Blocked shots per game
Field-goal percentage
Three-Point FG percentage
Free-throw percentage
PlayerSchoolBPGPlayerSchoolFG%PlayerSchool3FG%PlayerSchoolFT%
Adonal FoyleColgate6.4Todd MacCullochWashington.676Corey ReedRadford.476Aaron ZobristLamar.906
Lorenzo ColemanTennessee Tech4.8Sean ScottCentral Connecticut.670D. J. BosseKent State.475Keith Van HornUtah.904
Richard LugoSt. Francis (NY)4.5Rosell EllisMcNeese State.668Louis BullockMichigan.472Jim WilliamsonLoyola Marymount.902
Jerome JamesFlorida A&M4.4Ed SearsOhio.647Andrew MavisNorthern Arizona.471Marcus WilsonEvansville.901
Kelvin CatoIowa State4.2Lorenzo ColemanTennessee Tech.645Bryce DrewValparaiso.457Trajan LangdonDuke.897
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Post-season tournaments

NCAA tournament

Main article: 1997 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament

Final Four – RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

National semifinals National championship game
      
E1 North Carolina 58
SE4 Arizona 66
SE4 Arizona 84*
W1 Kentucky 79
M1 Minnesota 69
W1 Kentucky 78

National Invitation tournament

Main article: 1997 National Invitation Tournament

Semifinals & finals

Semifinals Finals
      
  Florida State 71
  Connecticut 65
  Florida State 73
  Michigan* 82
  Michigan 77
  Arkansas 62 Third place
  Connecticut 74
  Arkansas 64

* Michigan later forfeited its entire 1996–97 schedule after players Robert Traylor, Maurice Taylor, and Louis Bullock were found to have taken money from a Michigan booster.

Award winners

Consensus All-American teams

Main article: 1997 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans

[56]

More information Player, Position ...
Consensus First Team
Player Position Class Team
Tim Duncan C Senior Wake Forest
Danny Fortson F Junior Cincinnati
Raef LaFrentz C Junior Kansas
Ron Mercer F Sophomore Kentucky
Keith Van Horn F Senior Utah
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More information Player, Position ...
Consensus Second Team
Player Position Class Team
Chauncey Billups G Sophomore Colorado
Bobby Jackson G Senior Minnesota
Antawn Jamison F Sophomore North Carolina
Brevin Knight G Senior Stanford
Jacque Vaughn G Senior Kansas
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Major player of the year awards

Major freshman of the year awards

  • USBWA Freshman of the Year: No Award Given
  • Sporting News Freshman of the Year: No Award Given

Major coach of the year awards

Other major awards

Coaching changes

A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.

More information Team, Former Coach ...
Team Former
Coach		 Interim
Coach		 New
Coach		 Reason
Canisius John Beilein Mike MacDonald
DePaul Joey Meyer Pat Kennedy
Florida State Pat Kennedy Steve Robinson
Georgia Tubby Smith Ron Jirsa
Kentucky Rick Pitino Tubby Smith
North Carolina Dean Smith Bill Guthridge
Oral Roberts Bill Self Barry Hinson
Richmond Bill Dooley John Beilein
Sacramento State Don Newman Tom Abatemarco
Southeast Missouri State Ron Shumate Gary Garner
Tulsa Steve Robinson Bill Self
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References

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