What Is 1983 SWAC men's basketball tournament

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1983 SWAC men's basketball tournament was held from March 10–12, 1983, at the Riverside Centroplex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with Alcorn State defeating Southern 76–73 to win the championship and earn an automatic bid to the 1983 NCAA Tournament.

Key Facts

The 1983 SWAC men's basketball tournament took place from March 10–12, 1983.
Alcorn State won the championship by defeating Southern 76–73 in the final.
The tournament was hosted at the Riverside Centroplex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Alcorn State earned the SWAC's automatic bid to the 1983 NCAA Tournament.
Southern was the top seed and entered the tournament with a 12–2 conference record.

Overview

The 1983 SWAC men's basketball tournament determined the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion and automatic qualifier for the 1983 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Held from March 10 to March 12, 1983, the event featured the top teams from the conference competing in a single-elimination format.

The tournament culminated in Alcorn State's 76–73 victory over Southern in the championship game, securing their NCAA Tournament berth. The event was hosted at the Riverside Centroplex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a neutral site chosen to accommodate the conference's postseason games.

Alcorn State won the 1983 SWAC tournament championship with a 76–73 victory over Southern, marking their first title since 1975.
The tournament took place from March 10 to March 12, 1983, following the conclusion of the regular SWAC conference season.
Hosted at the Riverside Centroplex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the venue had a seating capacity of approximately 10,000 for basketball games.
Southern, the top seed, entered the tournament with a 12–2 conference record and was heavily favored to win.
Alcorn State's win earned them the SWAC's automatic bid to the 1983 NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the first round to Oregon State.

How It Works

The SWAC men's basketball tournament follows a single-elimination format involving the conference's top teams based on regular-season performance. Seeding is determined by conference standings, and the winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Single-Elimination Format: Teams compete in a knockout style; a loss results in elimination. The 1983 tournament included eight teams in the bracket.
Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on regular-season conference records, with tiebreakers used if necessary to determine placement.
Automatic NCAA Bid: The tournament champion receives the SWAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, regardless of regular-season performance.
Neutral Site: Since 1979, the SWAC tournament has been held at a predetermined neutral location, such as the Riverside Centroplex in 1983.
Championship Game: The final determines the conference champion; in 1983, Alcorn State defeated Southern 76–73 in a tightly contested matchup.
Historical Context: The 1983 tournament was the 13th edition of the SWAC men's basketball tournament, first held in 1972.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1983 SWAC tournament compares to other years and similar events in terms of structure and outcomes.

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	Score	Location
1983	Alcorn State	Southern	76–73	Baton Rouge, LA
1982	Tennessee State	Alcorn State	78–72	Birmingham, AL
1981	Alcorn State	Mississippi Valley State	77–74	Waco, TX
1980	Grambling State	Alcorn State	78–72	Waco, TX
1979	Alcorn State	Mississippi Valley State	88–86	Waco, TX

The 1983 tournament continued Alcorn State's strong presence in SWAC postseason play, adding to their 1979 and 1981 titles. Southern's runner-up finish highlighted their consistent performance, though they fell short in the final. The close scores across multiple years reflect the competitive nature of the conference during this era.

Why It Matters

The 1983 SWAC tournament is significant both for its competitive outcome and its role in providing HBCU teams national exposure through the NCAA Tournament. It also reflects the broader importance of conference tournaments in college basketball.

Alcorn State's 1983 title marked their fourth SWAC tournament championship, reinforcing their status as a dominant program in the 1970s and 1980s.
The win gave Alcorn State a national platform in the NCAA Tournament, where they faced Oregon State in the first round.
HBCU representation in March Madness was limited, making SWAC champions' appearances crucial for visibility and recruitment.
The tournament showcased emerging coaching talent, including Alcorn State's head coach Davey Whitney, known for his fast-paced style.
It contributed to the legacy of SWAC basketball, helping establish traditions that continue in modern conference play.
The 1983 event also highlighted the importance of neutral-site championships in ensuring fairness and boosting attendance.

Overall, the 1983 SWAC men's basketball tournament remains a notable chapter in HBCU sports history, illustrating the competitive spirit and cultural significance of historically Black college athletics.