The 1996–97 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles in the

1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season The 1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season 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 cham ...

. Under new head coach, Steve Lavin, the Bruins began the season ranked 5th in the AP Poll, but after an overtime loss in the opener to Tulsa, the Bruins dropped and would not be ranked as high for the rest of the season. On January 18 the Bruins beat #6 Arizona, 84-78 in overtime. The team finished 1st in the conference. The Bruins competed in the

1997 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament The 1997 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 13, 1997, and ended with the champion ...

, losing to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Elite Eight. This was the first season for head coach Steve Lavin, who had been an assistant coach under Jim Harrick.

Roster

Schedule

, - !colspan=9 style=, Exhibition , - !colspan=9 style=, Regular Season , - !colspan=9 style=, NCAA tournament Source

Rankings

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Ucla Bruins Men's Basketball Team Ucla Ucla UCLA Bruins men's basketball seasons NCAA NCAA