The 59th annual National Invitational Tournament had a 32-team field. First three rounds played on home courts of higher seeded teams. Semifinal, third place and championship games played March 26-28 at Madison Square Garden, NY.
1st Round
| at Rhode Island 82 | | Marist 77 |
| Col. of Charleston 55 | | at Tennessee 49 |
| at South Carolina 100 | | Davidson 73 |
| at Vanderbilt 86 | | Ark-Little Rock 80 |
| Alabama 72 | | at Illinois 69 |
| at Missouri 89 | | Murray St. 85 |
| at Fresno St. 58 | | Miami-OH 57 |
| at Michigan St. 64 | | Washington 50 |
| Tulane 87 | OT | at Auburn 73 |
| at Minnesota 68 | | St. Louis 52 |
| at Wisconsin 55 | | Manhattan 42 |
| at Illinois St. 73 | | Mt. St. Mary's (Md.) 49 |
| St. Joseph's 82 | | at Iona 78 |
| Nebraska 91 | | at Colorado St. 83 |
| at Washington St. 92 | | Gonzaga 73 |
| Providence 91 | | at Fairfield 79 |
2nd Round
| at South Carolina 80 | | Vanderbilt 70 |
| Tulane 84 | | at Minnesota 65 |
| Illinois St. 77 | | Wisconsin 62 |
| at Alabama 72 | | Missouri 49 |
| St. Joseph's 82 | | at Providence 62 |
| at Nebraska 82 | | Washington St. 73 |
| at Fresno St. 80 | | Michigan St. 70 |
| at Rhode Island 62 | OT | Col. of Charleston 58 |
Quarterfinals
| Alabama 68 | at South Carolina 67 |
| at Tulane 83 | Illinois St. 72 |
| at St. Joseph's 76 | Rhode Island 59 |
| Nebraska 83 | Fresno St. 71 |
Semifinals
| St. Joseph's 74 | OT | Alabama 69 |
| Nebraska 90 | | Tulane 78 |
Championship
| Nebraska 60 | St. Joseph's 56 |
Other Men's 1996 Tournaments
1996 NCAA College Basketball MVP
