The 1996–97 Temple Owls men's basketball team represented Temple University as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference during the 1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.

The team was led by head coach John Chaney and played their home games, for the final season, at McGonigle Hall.

The Owls received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as No.

Temple beat Ole Miss in the opening round before losing to No.

1 seed and eventual Final Four participant Minnesota, 76–57, in the round of 32.