The 1996 NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament was the 40th annual single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college basketball in the United States.
The tournament, which featured forty-eight teams, culminated the 1995–96 NCAA Division II men's basketball season.
The Elite Eight, national semifinals, and championship were played at the Commonwealth Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Fort Hays State (34–0) defeated Northern Kentucky in the final, 70–63, to win their first Division II national title.
Location: Hamer Hall Host: California University of Pennsylvania Location: Elmore Coliseum Host: Alabama A&M University Location: Gross Memorial Coliseum Host: Fort Hays State University Location: Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building Host: University of Missouri at Rolla Location: Alumni Recreation Center Host: Siena College Location: Arthur Ashe Athletic Center Host: Virginia Union University Location: Physical Activities Center Host: University of Southern Indiana Location: CSUB Student Activities Center Host: California State University, Bakersfield Location: Commonwealth Convention Center Host: Bellarmine College