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The 1996–97 season

38 belt games · 14 title changes

Kentucky carried the belt into the 1996–97 season. It changed hands 14 times among 13 programs, 2 of those in the playoffs, and Arizona finished the season with it. Most defenses: Utah, 5.

Who held it, in order

ClemsonMinnesotaAlabamaSan José StateUNLVHawai'iFresno StateAir ForceUNLVColorado StateSMUUtahKentuckyArizona

Every belt game

Belt gameDateResult
1,392Nov 15, 1996Clemson beat Kentucky 79–71Title change
1,393Nov 22, 1996Clemson beat Coastal Carolina 70–47Defense
1,394Nov 29, 1996Clemson beat Delaware 78–71Defense
1,395Nov 30, 1996Clemson beat Missouri 47–45Defense
1,396Dec 1, 1996Minnesota beat Clemson 75–65Title change
1,397Dec 4, 1996Alabama beat Minnesota 70–67Title change
1,398Dec 6, 1996Alabama beat Florida International 80–65Defense
1,399Dec 13, 1996Alabama beat Western Carolina 100–48Defense
1,400Dec 17, 1996Alabama beat North Texas 72–55Defense
1,401Dec 21, 1996Alabama beat VCU 72–69Defense
1,402Dec 26, 1996San José State beat Alabama 60–59Title change
1,403Dec 27, 1996San José State beat Detroit Mercy 63–56Defense
1,404Jan 1, 1997UNLV beat San José State 71–63Title change
1,405Jan 5, 1997UNLV beat TCU 98–91Defense
1,406Jan 8, 1997UNLV beat San Diego State 79–59Defense
1,407Jan 10, 1997Hawai'i beat UNLV 66–65Title change
1,408Jan 15, 1997Hawai'i beat Colorado State 85–65Defense
1,409Jan 17, 1997Hawai'i beat Wyoming 70–58Defense
1,410Jan 24, 1997Hawai'i beat San Diego State 85–63Defense
1,411Jan 29, 1997Hawai'i beat San José State 87–74Defense
1,412Jan 31, 1997Fresno State beat Hawai'i 80–74Title change
1,413Feb 5, 1997Fresno State beat San José State 66–61Defense
1,414Feb 7, 1997Fresno State beat Rice 82–54Defense
1,415Feb 14, 1997Air Force beat Fresno State 85–64Title change
1,416Feb 19, 1997UNLV beat Air Force 87–72Title change
1,417Feb 21, 1997UNLV beat TCU 82–72Defense
1,418Feb 26, 1997UNLV beat Wyoming 75–69Defense
1,419Feb 28, 1997Colorado State beat UNLV 59–58Title change
1,420Mar 4, 1997SMU beat Colorado State 93–89Title change
1,421Mar 6, 1997Utah beat SMU 59–58Title change
1,422Mar 7, 1997Utah beat New Mexico 72–70Defense
1,423Mar 8, 1997Utah beat TCU 89–68Defense
1,424Mar 13, 1997Utah beat Navy 75–61 PostseasonDefense
1,425Mar 15, 1997Utah beat Charlotte 77–58 PostseasonDefense
1,426Mar 19, 1997Utah beat Stanford 82–77 PostseasonDefense
1,427Mar 21, 1997Kentucky beat Utah 72–59 PostseasonTitle change
1,428Mar 28, 1997Kentucky beat Minnesota 78–69 PostseasonDefense
1,429Mar 30, 1997Arizona beat Kentucky 84–79 PostseasonTitle change

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