The Final Four was held at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati on March 28–30, 1997.

Tennessee, Old Dominion, Stanford, and Notre Dame qualified for the Final Four.

Tennessee and Old Dominion won their semi-final Final Four matchups and continued on to the championship.

In the first two rounds, the top four seeds were given the opportunity to host the first-round game.

Higher Seed's Home Court Higher Seed's Home Court Mackey Arena West Lafayette, Indiana Mackey Arena West lafayette, Indiana Higher Seed's Home Court Higher Seed's Home Court Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, Iowa Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, Iowa Higher Seed's Home Court Higher Seed's Home Court Dahlberg Arena Missoula, Montana Dahlberg Arena Missoula, Montana Riverfront Coliseum Cincinnati Riverfront Coliseum Cincinnati E-East; ME-Mideast; MW-Midwest; W-West.