What Is 2009 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was held from March 12–14, 2009, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Louisiana Tech won the tournament, defeating New Mexico State 68–67 in the final to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Key Facts

The 2009 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament took place from March 12–14, 2009.
It was held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Louisiana Tech won the championship with a 68–67 victory over New Mexico State.
The tournament champion received an automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
This was the fifth consecutive year the WAC Tournament was held in Las Vegas.

Overview

The 2009 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship event for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 2008–2009 NCAA Division I basketball season. It featured the top eight teams from the WAC regular season standings competing in a single-elimination format.

Hosted at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, the tournament concluded with Louisiana Tech claiming its first WAC title by narrowly defeating New Mexico State. The winner earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking a pivotal moment in the season for the participating programs.

March 12–14, 2009: The tournament spanned three days, beginning with first-round matchups and culminating in the championship game on March 14.
Orleans Arena, Las Vegas: This marked the fifth straight year the WAC Tournament was held at this venue, establishing a consistent postseason location.
Louisiana Tech: The Bulldogs entered as the No. 2 seed and finished the regular season with a 12–4 conference record, the second-best in the WAC.
Championship Game Score: Louisiana Tech defeated New Mexico State 68–67 in a tightly contested final, securing their NCAA Tournament berth.
Automatic NCAA Bid: The tournament champion received the WAC's automatic qualification to the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, a major incentive for all teams involved.

How It Works

The WAC Men's Basketball Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format designed to determine the conference's postseason champion and NCAA representative. Teams qualify based on regular-season performance, with seeding determined by conference win-loss records.

Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination bracket with the top eight teams from the WAC regular season qualifying. Lower seeds play first-round games, advancing to face higher seeds.
Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on their conference win percentage. Tiebreakers include head-to-head results and point differentials if needed.
Location: Since 2005, the tournament has been held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, providing a neutral site and centralized location for fans and teams.
NCAA Bid: The winner receives the WAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, while other teams must rely on at-large selections if they don’t win.
Game Structure: All games are single-elimination, with semifinals on March 13 and the final on March 14 in 2009, following a compact schedule.
Eligibility: Only WAC member institutions are eligible to compete, and teams must meet NCAA academic and eligibility standards to participate.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2009 WAC Tournament compared to recent editions in terms of location, participants, and outcomes:

Year	Location	Champion	Runner-Up	Score
2009	Orleans Arena, Las Vegas	Louisiana Tech	New Mexico State	68–67
2008	Orleans Arena, Las Vegas	UTEP	New Mexico State	79–60
2007	Orleans Arena, Las Vegas	New Mexico State	Fresno State	87–77
2006	Orleans Arena, Las Vegas	Fresno State	New Mexico State	73–68
2005	Lawlor Events Center, Reno	Utah State	New Mexico State	73–69

The 2009 tournament continued the trend of close, competitive games, especially compared to the lopsided 2008 final. Louisiana Tech’s one-point victory highlighted the growing parity in the conference, while New Mexico State’s repeated appearances underscored their consistency. The move to Las Vegas in 2005 helped increase visibility and attendance, benefiting the conference’s national profile.

Why It Matters

The 2009 WAC Tournament had significant implications for team legacies, NCAA Tournament access, and conference reputation. Its outcome shaped postseason opportunities and influenced recruiting and program momentum across the league.

NCAA Tournament Berth: Louisiana Tech’s win secured their first NCAA appearance since 1999, revitalizing the program on a national stage.
Conference Representation: A strong WAC showing improved the conference’s RPI and helped other teams gain at-large consideration.
Player Legacies: Stars like Louisiana Tech’s Michael Walker elevated their profiles with clutch performances in Las Vegas.
Recruiting Boost: Success in the tournament enhanced visibility for WAC schools, aiding future recruiting efforts in competitive markets.
Financial Impact: NCAA Tournament revenue sharing provided member schools with additional funding, benefiting athletic departments across the conference.
Historical Significance: The 2009 title was Louisiana Tech’s first WAC championship in men’s basketball, marking a milestone for the program.

The 2009 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament exemplified the drama and opportunity inherent in conference postseason play. Its legacy endures in program histories and the continued use of Las Vegas as a neutral-site host for high-stakes games.