1995 – 96 VCU Rams men 's basketball team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 1995 – 96 NCAA Division I men 's basketball season . 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 were coached by 7th year head coach , Sonny Smith . The 1995-96 season was the first season in 11 years that the Rams earned a berth into the NCAA Men 's Division I Basketball Tournament . 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 . The Rams would not return to the NCAA Tournament again until 2004
1996 CAA Men 's Basketball Tournament
1996 CAA Men's Basketball Tournament
1995–96 VCU Rams men's basketball team