It was the 28th season of the University fielding a men's basketball program, and the program's first season in the Colonial Athletic Association, after previously playing in the Metro Conference.

The Rams won an automatic berth by winning the 1996 CAA men's basketball tournament, beating UNC Wilmington in the final.

VCU's Bernard Hopkins won the CAA Tournament MVP Award.

In the NCAA Tournament, VCU entered as a 12-seed, where they played in the Southeast Regional bracket.

The Rams lost to eventual Final Four contestant, Mississippi State 58-51 in the first round.