What Is 2010 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2010 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was held from March 10–13, 2010, at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada, where Nevada defeated New Mexico State 70–68 in the final to claim the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

Key Facts

The 2010 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament took place from March 10–13, 2010.
It was hosted at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada.
Nevada won the tournament by defeating New Mexico State 70–68 in the final.
The championship game drew a crowd of 8,542 fans.
Nevada earned the WAC's automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Overview

The 2010 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship event for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 2009–10 NCAA Division I basketball season. It featured the top eight teams from the WAC regular season standings, competing in a single-elimination format to determine the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.

This tournament marked the fifth consecutive year the WAC held its championship in Reno, Nevada, capitalizing on neutral-site advantages and growing regional interest. Nevada, the host school, entered as the No. 2 seed and ultimately captured its first WAC tournament title since joining the conference.

Nevada defeated New Mexico State 70–68 in a tightly contested final, with Luke Babbitt named tournament MVP after averaging 20.3 points per game.
The tournament spanned four days, from March 10 to March 13, 2010, with preliminary rounds starting on Wednesday and the final on Saturday.
Eight teams participated, seeded based on regular-season conference records, with seeds 1 through 8 earning berths.
Games were held at the Lawlor Events Center, a 11,000-seat arena on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, which had hosted the event since 2006.
Attendance averaged 6,842 per game, peaking at 8,542 for the championship, reflecting strong regional support and neutral-site appeal.

How It Works

The WAC Men's Basketball Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format designed to crown a conference champion and award an NCAA Tournament bid. Teams qualify based on regular-season performance, with seeding determining matchups and byes.

Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination bracket with eight teams. The top four seeds receive byes to the quarterfinals, while seeds 5–8 play in the first round.
Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on their win-loss records in WAC conference play during the regular season, with tiebreakers applied as needed.
Location: Since 2006, the WAC has held the tournament at Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada, providing a neutral site with strong fan accessibility.
NCAA Bid: The winner receives the WAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, regardless of regular-season performance or national ranking.
Game Schedule: The tournament spans four days, with first-round games on Wednesday, quarterfinals Thursday, semifinals Friday, and the final on Saturday.
Officials & Rules: Games follow standard NCAA Division I basketball rules, with referees assigned by the conference and monitored for consistency and fairness.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2010 WAC tournament compares to recent editions in terms of structure, location, and outcomes:

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Location	Final Score
2010	Nevada	New Mexico State	Reno, NV	70–68
2009	New Mexico State	UTEP	Reno, NV	72–62
2008	Cal State Northridge	Arkansas State	Reno, NV	70–69
2007	Boise State	New Mexico State	Reno, NV	81–71
2006	Hawaii	Idaho	Reno, NV	73–55

The 2010 edition continued the trend of close, competitive finals, with three of the last five championships decided by single digits. Nevada’s win ended a streak of non-host teams winning, as the home-state Wolf Pack capitalized on crowd support and strong guard play.

Why It Matters

The 2010 WAC tournament had lasting implications for conference realignment, team legacies, and NCAA Tournament representation. It highlighted the growing competitiveness of mid-major programs and the value of neutral-site championships.

Nevada earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2007, advancing as a No. 12 seed but losing in the first round to BYU.
The tournament reinforced Reno as a basketball destination, helping the city secure future hosting rights through 2012.
It showcased rising talent, including future NBA players like Babbitt and New Mexico State’s Wendell McKines.
Conference parity was evident, as five different teams won the WAC title from 2006 to 2010, reflecting balanced competition.
Media coverage increased, with ESPN broadcasting all games, boosting national visibility for WAC programs.
The format influenced other mid-major conferences, many of which adopted similar neutral-site models in subsequent years.

Ultimately, the 2010 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was a pivotal moment for Nevada athletics and the conference, demonstrating how postseason success can elevate a program’s national profile and shape future conference strategies.