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University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Athletics To Celebrate 30-Year Anniversary Of 1995-96 Men's Basketball Final Four Team
January 21, 2026 | Men's Basketball
The historic run will be honored as part of Alumni Day on Saturday, Feb. 21 when the Minutemen play host to Buffalo.
AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts men's basketball program will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1995–96 team's historic run to the Final Four during its annual Alumni Day, set for Saturday, Feb. 21, when the Minutemen host Buffalo at 6 p.m. at the Mullins Center.
With most members of that historic squad expected to return, fans won't want to miss the unique experience as the team is honored throughout the game. The game will feature videoboard highlights, messages and an on-court appearance by returning team members.
Attendance Links
- If you are a former player looking to register for the annual alumni gathering, click here.
- For tickets, click here and don't miss the Final Four Pack, which includes four Value Section tickets for just $19.96.
About the 1995-96 Minutemen
- Led by head coach John Calipari, the team finished with a 35-2 overall record, won the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Final Four.
- Massachusetts began the season with a 10-point win over No. 1 Kentucky and rolled to 26 consecutive victories and the No. 1 national ranking.
- The regular season also included key victories over No. 3 Memphis, No. 10 Wake Forest, No. 13 Syracuse, No. 19 Maryland and No. 21 Georgia Tech.
- After UMass claimed the Atlantic 10 Tournament, including a 75-61 title game victory over rival Temple, it entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed.
- The Minutemen defeated UCF, 92-70 in the first round and battled past Stanford, 79-74 two days later.
- UMass then downed Arkansas, 79-63, in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and cruised to a 24-point win over No. 4 Georgetown in the NCAA Elite Eight.
- The team ultimately fell to fellow No. 1 seed and No. 2 nationally ranked Kentucky, 81-74 in the NCAA Final Four.
- Marcus Camby won National Player of the Year, was a consensus first team all-American and secured Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.
- Edgar Padilla earned AP All-America accolades.
- Calipari was named the Naismith College Coach of the Year and NABC Coach of the Year.
-- UMassAthletics.com --
