1996 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
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Season | 1995–96 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teams | 64 | ||||
Finals site | Continental Airlines Arena East Rutherford, New Jersey | ||||
Champions | Kentucky Wildcats (6th title, 8th title game, 11th Final Four) | ||||
Runner-up | Syracuse Orange (2nd title game, 3rd Final Four) | ||||
Semifinalists |
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Winning coach | Rick Pitino (1st title) | ||||
MOP | Tony Delk (Kentucky) | ||||
Attendance | 631,834 | ||||
Top scorer | John Wallace (Syracuse) (131 points) | ||||
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The 1996 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1996, and ended with the championship game on April 1 at Continental Airlines Arena (now known as Izod Center) in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. A total of 63 games were played.
The Final Four venue was notable for several reasons:
- This marked the first time that the NCAA finals had been held in Greater New York since 1950.
- This was also the last (men's) Final Four to be held in a basketball/hockey-specific facility. Every Final Four since has been held in a domed stadium (usually built for football) because of NCAA venue capacity requirements. Therefore, this was also the last time the NCAA finals have been held in the Greater New York area and the Northeastern United States (for the time being).
The Final Four consisted of Kentucky, making their first appearance in the Final Four since 1993 and eleventh overall, Massachusetts, making their first ever appearance in the Final Four, Syracuse, making their third appearance in the Final Four and first since 1987, and Mississippi State, also making their first appearance.
Kentucky won their sixth national championship by defeating Syracuse in the final game 76–67.
Tony Delk of Kentucky was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Kentucky's run to the championship was one of the most dominant in NCAA tournament history, as the Wildcats won each of their first four games by at least 20 points and won every game by at least 7 points.
The committee that put together the bracket in 1996 was criticized for placing what seemed to be the best two teams in college basketball – Massachusetts and Kentucky – on the same side of the bracket so that they faced each other in the national semifinal – not the final game itself.[citation needed] Note that there are guidelines that the selection committee follows. In 2004 the procedure would be changed so that the regional sites would first be assigned their #1 seeds, then would be placed in the bracket so that the #1 overall seed would face the fourth #1 seed while the second #1 seed would face the third #1 seed, barring any upsets. Although Kentucky was the tourney favorite, Connecticut, led by star guard Ray Allen, was the presumed #1 overall seed that season, after compiling a 30–2 record during the season in a strong Big East Conference, including a conference tournament victory over Georgetown-led by Allen Iverson, who went on to be the number one pick in the draft following the season.[citation needed] Meanwhile, Kentucky was apparently dropped to #3 overall seed following their defeat to Mississippi State in the SEC conference tournament final.[citation needed] Kentucky also could not be placed in the Southeast region since the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games were being played in Kentucky's home arena, Rupp Arena.
Massachusetts, coached by John Calipari, was later stripped of their wins, including the UMass Minutemen's Final Four appearance, by the NCAA because UMass star Marcus Camby had accepted illegal gifts from agents. Connecticut, coached by Jim Calhoun, was additionally punished monetarily due to players accepting illegal gifts from agents.[1]
Locations
First & Second Rounds
Regional Sites and Final Four
Region | Site | Venue | Host |
---|---|---|---|
East | Atlanta, Georgia | Georgia Dome | Georgia Tech |
Midwest | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | Minnesota |
Southeast | Lexington, Kentucky | Rupp Arena | Kentucky |
West | Denver, Colorado | McNichols Sports Arena | Colorado |
Final Four | East Rutherford, New Jersey | Continental Airlines Arena | Seton Hall |
East Rutherford became the 25th different host city, and the Continental Airlines Arena the 30th host venue, to host the final four. While the New York metropolitan area is the largest metropolitan area to host the Final Four, and had previously at the old Madison Square Garden, the town of East Rutherford itself is the smallest town to host a Final Four. Once more, all four regional sites were former and future Final Four sites. The only new venue of the tournament was the Georgia Dome, which would host five regional rounds and three Final Fours before closing in 2017. Any future tournament games to be held in New Jersey would be played at the Prudential Center; if in Atlanta, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena; if in Orlando, the Amway Center.
Teams
East Regional – Atlanta | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seed | School | Coach | Conference | Record | Bid Type |
#1 | Massachusetts (vacated) | John Calipari | Atlantic 10 | 31–1 | Automatic |
#2 | Georgetown | John Thompson | Big East | 26–7 | At-Large |
#3 | Texas Tech | James Dickey | SWC | 28–1 | Automatic |
#4 | Marquette | Mike Deane | Conference USA | 22–7 | At-Large |
#5 | Penn State | Jerry Dunn | Big Ten | 21–6 | At-Large |
#6 | North Carolina | Dean Smith | ACC | 20–10 | At-Large |
#7 | New Mexico | Dave Bliss | WAC | 27–4 | Automatic |
#8 | Bradley | Jim Molinari | Missouri Valley | 22–7 | At-Large |
#9 | Stanford | Mike Montgomery | Pac-10 | 19–8 | At-Large |
#10 | Kansas State | Tom Asbury | Big Eight | 17–11 | At-Large |
#11 | New Orleans | Tic Price | Sun Belt | 21–8 | Automatic |
#12 | Arkansas | Nolan Richardson | SEC | 18–12 | At-Large |
#13 | Monmouth | Wayne Szoke | NEC | 20–9 | Automatic |
#14 | Northern Illinois | Brian Hammel | MCC | 20–9 | Automatic |
#15 | Mississippi Valley State | Lafayette Stribling | SWAC | 22–6 | Automatic |
#16 | UCF | Kirk Speraw | TAAC | 11–18 | Automatic |
Midwest Regional – Minneapolis | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seed | School | Coach | Conference | Record | Bid Type |
#1 | Kentucky | Rick Pitino | SEC | 28–2 | At-Large |
#2 | Wake Forest | Dave Odom | ACC | 23–5 | Automatic |
#3 | Villanova | Steve Lappas | Big East | 25–6 | At-Large |
#4 | Utah | Rick Majerus | WAC | 25–6 | At-Large |
#5 | Iowa State | Tim Floyd | Big Eight | 23–8 | Automatic |
#6 | Louisville | Denny Crum | Conference USA | 20–11 | At-Large |
#7 | Michigan (vacated) | Steve Fisher | Big Ten | 20-11 | At-Large |
#8 | Green Bay | Mike Heideman | MCC | 25–3 | At-Large |
#9 | Virginia Tech | Bill Foster | Atlantic 10 | 22–5 | At-Large |
#10 | Texas | Tom Penders | SWC | 20–9 | At-Large |
#11 | Tulsa | Steve Robinson | Missouri Valley | 22–7 | Automatic |
#12 | California | Todd Bozeman | Pac-10 | 17–10 | At-Large |
#13 | Canisius | John Beilein | MAAC | 19–10 | Automatic |
#14 | Portland | Rob Chavez | West Coast | 19–10 | Automatic |
#15 | Northeast Louisiana | Mike Vining | Southland | 16–13 | Automatic |
#16 | San Jose State | Stan Morrison | Big West | 13–16 | Automatic |
Southeast Regional – Lexington | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seed | School | Coach | Conference | Record | Bid Type |
#1 | Connecticut | Jim Calhoun | Big East | 30–2 | Automatic |
#2 | Cincinnati | Bob Huggins | Conference USA | 25–4 | Automatic |
#3 | Georgia Tech | Bobby Cremins | ACC | 22–11 | At-Large |
#4 | UCLA | Jim Harrick | Pac-10 | 23–7 | Automatic |
#5 | Mississippi State | Richard Williams | SEC | 22–7 | Automatic |
#6 | Indiana | Bob Knight | Big Ten | 19–11 | At-Large |
#7 | Temple | John Chaney | Atlantic 10 | 19–12 | At-Large |
#8 | Duke | Mike Krzyzewski | ACC | 18–12 | At-Large |
#9 | Eastern Michigan | Ben Braun | Mid-American | 24–5 | Automatic |
#10 | Oklahoma | Kelvin Sampson | Big Eight | 17–12 | At-Large |
#11 | Boston College | Jim O'Brien | Big East | 18–10 | At-Large |
#12 | VCU | Sonny Smith | CAA | 17–10 | Automatic |
#13 | Princeton | Pete Carril | Ivy League | 21–6 | Automatic |
#14 | Austin Peay | Dave Loos | Ohio Valley | 19–10 | Automatic |
#15 | UNC Greensboro | Randy Peele | Big South | 20-–9 | Automatic |
#16 | Colgate | Jack Bruen | Patriot League | 15–14 | Automatic |
West Regional – Denver | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seed | School | Coach | Conference | Record | Bid Type |
#1 | Purdue | Gene Keady | Big Ten | 25–5 | Automatic |
#2 | Kansas | Roy Williams | Big Eight | 26–4 | At-Large |
#3 | Arizona | Lute Olson | Pac-10 | 24–6 | At-Large |
#4 | Syracuse | Jim Boeheim | Big East | 24–8 | At-Large |
#5 | Memphis | Larry Finch | Conference USA | 22–7 | At-Large |
#6 | Iowa | Tom Davis | Big Ten | 22–8 | At-Large |
#7 | Maryland | Gary Williams | ACC | 17–12 | At-Large |
#8 | Georgia | Tubby Smith | SEC | 19–9 | At-Large |
#9 | Clemson | Rick Barnes | ACC | 18–10 | At-Large |
#10 | Santa Clara | Dick Davey | West Coast | 19–8 | At-Large |
#11 | George Washington | Mike Jarvis | Atlantic 10 | 21–7 | At-Large |
#12 | Drexel | Bill Herrion | NAC | 26–3 | Automatic |
#13 | Montana State | Mick Durham | Big Sky | 21–8 | Automatic |
#14 | Valparaiso | Homer Drew | Mid-Continent | 21–10 | Automatic |
#15 | South Carolina State | Cy Alexander | MEAC | 22–7 | Automatic |
#16 | Western Carolina | Phil Hopkins | Southern | 17–12 | Automatic |
Bracket
* – Denotes overtime period
East Regional – Atlanta
First round | Quarter-finals | Regional Semifinals | Regional Finals | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Massachusetts | 92 | |||||||||||||||||
16 | UCF | 70 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Massachusetts | 79 | |||||||||||||||||
Providence | |||||||||||||||||||
9 | Stanford | 74 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Bradley | 58 | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Stanford | 66 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Massachusetts | 79 | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Arkansas | 63 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Penn State | 80 | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Arkansas | 86 | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Arkansas | 65 | |||||||||||||||||
Providence | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | Marquette | 56 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Marquette | 68 | |||||||||||||||||
13 | Monmouth | 44 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Massachusetts | 86 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Georgetown | 62 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | North Carolina | 83 | |||||||||||||||||
11 | New Orleans | 62 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | North Carolina | 73 | |||||||||||||||||
Richmond | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | Texas Tech | 92 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Texas Tech | 74 | |||||||||||||||||
14 | Northern Illinois | 73 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Texas Tech | 90 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Georgetown | 98 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | New Mexico | 69 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Kansas State | 48 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | New Mexico | 65 | |||||||||||||||||
Richmond | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | Georgetown | 75 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Georgetown | 93 | |||||||||||||||||
15 | Mississippi Valley State | 56 |
Regional Final summary
CBS
|
Saturday, March 23
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#1 Massachusetts Minutemen 86, #2 Georgetown Hoyas 62 | ||
Scoring by half: 38–34, 48–28 | ||
Pts: M.Camby – 22 Rebs: D. Bright, M. Camby – 7 Asts: C. Travieso – 6 |
Pts: A. Iverson – 23 Rebs: J. Williams – 8 Asts: J. Touomou, J. Williams, O. Harrington – 2 |
Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA
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Midwest Regional – Minneapolis
First round | Quarter-finals | Regional Semifinals | Regional Finals | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Kentucky | 110 | |||||||||||||||||
16 | San Jose State | 72 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Kentucky | 84 | |||||||||||||||||
Dallas | |||||||||||||||||||
9 | Virginia Tech | 60 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | UW–Green Bay | 49 | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Virginia Tech | 61 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Kentucky | 101 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Utah | 70 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Iowa State | 74 | |||||||||||||||||
12 | California | 64 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Iowa State | 67 | |||||||||||||||||
Dallas | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | Utah | 73 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Utah | 72 | |||||||||||||||||
13 | Canisius | 43 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Kentucky | 83 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Wake Forest | 63 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Louisville | 82 | |||||||||||||||||
11 | Tulsa | 80* | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Louisville | 68 | |||||||||||||||||
Milwaukee | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | Villanova | 64 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Villanova | 92 | |||||||||||||||||
14 | Portland | 58 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Louisville | 59 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Wake Forest | 60 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Michigan | 76 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Texas | 80 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Texas | 62 | |||||||||||||||||
Milwaukee | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | Wake Forest | 65 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Wake Forest | 62 | |||||||||||||||||
15 | Northeast Louisiana | 50 |
Regional Final summary
CBS
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Saturday, March 23
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#1 Kentucky Wildcats 83, #2 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 63 | ||
Scoring by half: 38–19, 45–44 | ||
Pts: T. Delk – 25 Rebs: A. Walker – 6 Asts: A. Epps – 6 |
Pts: S. Goolsby, T. Duncan – 14 Rebs: T. Duncan – 16 Asts: T. Duncan – 6 |
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome – Minneapolis, MN
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Southeast Regional – Lexington, Kentucky
First round | Quarter-finals | Regional Semifinals | Regional Finals | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Connecticut | 68 | |||||||||||||||||
16 | Colgate | 59 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Connecticut | 95 | |||||||||||||||||
Indianapolis | |||||||||||||||||||
9 | Eastern Michigan | 81 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Duke | 60 | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Eastern Michigan | 75 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Connecticut | 55 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Mississippi State | 60 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Mississippi State | 58 | |||||||||||||||||
12 | VCU | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Mississippi State | 63 | |||||||||||||||||
Indianapolis | |||||||||||||||||||
13 | Princeton | 41 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | UCLA | 41 | |||||||||||||||||
13 | Princeton | 43 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Mississippi State | 73 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Cincinnati | 63 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Indiana | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
11 | Boston College | 64 | |||||||||||||||||
11 | Boston College | 89 | |||||||||||||||||
Orlando | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | Georgia Tech | 103 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Georgia Tech | 90 | |||||||||||||||||
14 | Austin Peay | 79 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Georgia Tech | 70 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Cincinnati | 87 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Temple | 61 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Oklahoma | 43 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Temple | 65 | |||||||||||||||||
Orlando | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | Cincinnati | 78 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Cincinnati | 66 | |||||||||||||||||
15 | UNC Greensboro | 61 |
Regional Final summary
CBS
|
Sunday, March 24
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#5 Mississippi State Bulldogs 73, #2 Cincinnati Bearcats 63 | ||
Scoring by half: 37–29, 36–34 | ||
Pts: D. Jones – 23 Rebs: D. Jones – 13 Asts: D. Wilson – 6 |
Pts: D. Fortson – 24 Rebs: D. Fortson – 13 Asts: K. Legree – 4 |
Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY
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West Regional – Denver, Colorado
First round | Quarter-finals | Regional Semifinals | Regional Finals | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Purdue | 73 | |||||||||||||||||
16 | Western Carolina | 71 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Purdue | 69 | |||||||||||||||||
Albuquerque | |||||||||||||||||||
8 | Georgia | 76 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Georgia | 81 | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Clemson | 74 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Georgia | 81* | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Syracuse | 83 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Memphis | 63 | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Drexel | 75 | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Drexel | 58 | |||||||||||||||||
Albuquerque | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | Syracuse | 69 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Syracuse | 88 | |||||||||||||||||
13 | Montana State | 55 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Syracuse | 60 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Kansas | 57 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Iowa | 81 | |||||||||||||||||
11 | George Washington | 79 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Iowa | 73 | |||||||||||||||||
Tempe | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | Arizona | 87 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Arizona | 90 | |||||||||||||||||
14 | Valparaiso | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Arizona | 80 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Kansas | 83 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Maryland | 79 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Santa Clara | 91 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Santa Clara | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
Tempe | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | Kansas | 76 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Kansas | 92 | |||||||||||||||||
15 | South Carolina State | 54 |
Regional Final summary
CBS
|
Sunday, March 24
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#4 Syracuse Orangemen 60, #2 Kansas Jayhawks 57 | ||
Scoring by half: 35–26, 25–31 | ||
Pts: J. Wallace, O. Hill – 15 Rebs: J. Wallace – 9 Asts: L. Sims – 4 |
Pts: J. Vaughn – 21 Rebs: R. LaFrentz – 9 Asts: J. Haase – 6 |
McNichols Sports Arena – Denver, CO
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Final Four at East Rutherford, New Jersey
National Semifinals | National Championship Game | ||||||||
E1 | Massachusetts # | 74 | |||||||
M1 | Kentucky | 81 | |||||||
M1 | Kentucky | 76 | |||||||
W4 | Syracuse | 67 | |||||||
SE5 | Mississippi State | 69 | |||||||
W4 | Syracuse | 77 |
# On May 8, 1997, the NCAA Executive Committee voted to negate the Minutemen's 1996 NCAA Tournament record, for Marcus Camby's acceptance of agents' improper gifts. The team's 35–2 season record was reduced to 31–1, and the UMass slot in the Final Four is officially marked as "vacated". The Final Four trophy, banner and 45% of tournament revenue were returned to the NCAA. Camby reimbursed the school for the lost revenue.
Game summaries
CBS
|
Saturday, March 30
|
#1 Kentucky Wildcats 81, #1 Massachusetts Minutemen 74 | ||
Scoring by half: 36–28, 45–46 | ||
Pts: T. Delk – 20 Rebs: W. McCarty – 10 [2] Asts: A. Epps, A. Walker, D. Anderson, W. McCarty – 4 |
Pts: M. Camby – 25 Rebs: D. Bright – 9 Asts: E. Padilla – 12 |
Continental Airlines Arena – East Rutherford, NJ
|
CBS
|
Saturday, March 30
|
#4 Syracuse Orangemen 77, #5 Mississippi State Bulldogs 69 | ||
Scoring by half: 36–36, 41–33 | ||
Pts: J. Wallace – 21 Rebs: T. Burgan – 7 Asts: L. Siims – 9 |
Pts: D. Wilson – 20 Rebs: E. Dampier – 14 Asts: M. Bullard – 8 |
Continental Airlines Arena – East Rutherford, NJ
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National Championship
CBS
|
Monday, April 1
|
#1 Kentucky Wildcats 76, #4 Syracuse Orangemen 67 | ||
Scoring by half: 42–33, 34–34 | ||
Pts: T. Delk – 24 Rebs: A. Walker – 9 Asts: A. Epps – 7 |
Pts: J. Wallace – 29 Rebs: J. Wallace, O. Hill – 10 Asts: L. Sims – 7 |
Continental Airlines Arena – East Rutherford, NJ
|
Announcers
- Jim Nantz/Bob Rathbun and Billy Packer – First & Second Round at Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Southeast Regional at Lexington, Kentucky; Final Four at East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Sean McDonough and Bill Raftery – First & Second Round at Orlando, Florida; Midwest Regional at Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Tim Ryan and Al McGuire – First & Second Round at Providence, Rhode Island; West Regional at Denver, Colorado
- Gus Johnson and Quinn Buckner – First & Second Round at Indianapolis; East Regional at Atlanta, Georgia
- Mike Gorman and George Raveling – First & Second Round at Dallas, Texas
- Ted Robinson and Larry Farmer – First & Second Round at Richmond, Virginia
- Tim Brando and Derrek Dickey – First & Second Round at Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Bill Macatee and Dan Bonner – First & Second Round at Tempe, Arizona
See also
- 1996 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament
- 1996 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament
- 1996 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament
- 1996 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament
- 1996 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament
- 1996 National Invitation Tournament
- 1996 National Women's Invitation Tournament
- 1996 NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
- 1996 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament
- 1996 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament
- 1996 NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament