1997 TAAC men's basketball tournament

The 1997 Trans America Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament (now known as the ASUN men's basketball tournament) was held February 27–March 1 at F. Mitchell Johnson Arena at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina.[2]

1997 TAAC men's basketball tournament
ClassificationDivision I
Season1996–97
Teams8
SiteF. Mitchell Johnson Arena
Charleston, SC
ChampionsCollege of Charleston (1st title)
Winning coachJohn Kresse (1st title)
MVPAnthony Johnson (College of Charleston)
TAAC men's basketball tournaments
← 1996
1998 →
1996–97 Trans America Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
East
No. 16 College of Charleston 16 0   1.000 29 3   .906
Florida International 12 4   .750 16 13   .552
Florida Atlantic 11 5   .688 16 11   .593
Campbell 8 8   .500 11 16   .407
Stetson 5 11   .313 9 18   .333
Central Florida 4 12   .250 7 19   .269
West
Samford 11 5   .688 19 9   .679
Jacksonville State 9 7   .563 10 17   .370
Southeastern Louisiana 7 9   .438 10 18   .357
Georgia State 6 10   .375 10 17   .370
Centenary 6 10   .375 9 18   .333
Mercer 1 15   .063 3 23   .115
1997 TAAC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll[1]

College of Charleston defeated Florida International in the championship game, 83–73, to win their first TAAC/Atlantic Sun men's basketball tournament.

The Cougars, therefore, received the TAAC's automatic bid to the 1997 NCAA tournament, their first automatic bid to the Division I tournament. Charleston defeated Maryland in the First Round before falling to eventual-champion Arizona in the Round of 32.

Format

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The 12 teams in the TAAC were separated into two six-team divisions, and the top four eligible teams from each division qualified for the tournament. College of Charleston became eligible for the tournament this year after becoming a full Division I member. However, transitioning members Florida Atlantic and Jacksonville State were not eligible.

Bracket

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Quarterfinals
Thursday, February 27
Semifinals
Friday, February 28
Championship
Saturday, March 1
         
1E #20 College of Charleston 89
4W Centenary (LA) 71
1E #20 College of Charleston 93
2W SE Louisiana 63
2W SE Louisiana 61
3E Campbell 55
1E #20 College of Charleston 83
2E Florida International 73
1W Samford 60
4E Stetson 51
1W Samford 67
2E Florida International 90
2E Florida International 70
3W Georgia State 57

References

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  1. ^ sports-reference.com 1996-97 Trans America Athletic Conference Season Summary
  2. ^ "1996-97 Atlantic Sun Conference Season Summary". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.