1996 Final Four Logo Heavy Tee Color:Cream KU entered the season ranked

KU entered the season ranked #2 in the AP Poll

On the eve of the NCAA Tournament Frieder was fired by Michigan AD Bo Schembechler after word leaked he would be leaving for Arizona State after the tournament

that all changed in the opening moments of the Conference USA Tournament when Martin broke his leg

Thirty years later

1996 Final Four Logo Heavy Tee Color:Cream KU entered the season rankedThe Meadowlands in New Jersey had hosted many NCAA Tournament regionals, but 1996 was the first year the NCAA brought the Final Four here. The 1996 Final Four saw the two best teams in the country, including a top heavy favorite in Kentucky and dominate mid major in UMass. Joining them was traditional power Syracuse and Mississippi State who both played beyond their seeds to make it to the Final Four. In the end it was Kentucky and Syracuse in Monday