1996 TAAC men's basketball tournament

1996 TAAC men's basketball tournament
Classification	Division I
Season	1995–96
Teams	8
Site	Edmunds Center DeLand, FL
Champions	Central Florida (2nd title)
Winning coach	Kirk Speraw (2nd title)
MVP	Harry Kennedy (Central Florida)
TAAC men's basketball tournaments

The 1996 Trans America Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament (now known as the Atlantic Sun Men's Basketball Tournament) was held February 29–March 2 at the Edmunds Center at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.

Central Florida defeated Mercer in the championship game, 86–77, to win their second TAAC/Atlantic Sun men's basketball tournament.

The Golden Knights, therefore, received the TAAC's automatic bid to the 1996 NCAA Tournament, where they lost to UMass in the first round.

Format

Prior to the season, the TAAC added one more team, Jacksonville State, to reach a total of 12 teams. For conference scheduling, these teams were separated into two six-team divisions. However, only the top eight teams in the standings, regardless of conference, were invited to participate in the tournament.

College of Charleston, despite finishing at the top of the conference standings, were not able to participate as a transitioning Division I member.

Bracket

	Quarterfinals Thursday, February 29					Semifinals Friday, March 1					Championship Saturday, March 2
	1	Samford	55
	8	Florida International	58
						8	Florida International	76
						5	Mercer	101
	5	Mercer	72
	4	Centenary (LA)	61
											5	Mercer	77
											6	Central Florida	86
	3	SE Louisiana	80
	6	Central Florida	83
						6	Central Florida	80
						2	Campbell	71
	7	Stetson	59
	2	Campbell	67