What Is 2017 WAC men's basketball tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was held from March 9–11, 2017, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, where New Mexico State defeated UC Davis 82–79 to win the championship and earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: March 9–11, 2017
Champion: New Mexico State Aggies
Runner-up: UC Davis
Championship game score: 82–79
Venue: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

Overview

The 2017 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship event for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I season. It determined the conference's automatic bid to the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Hosted at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, the tournament featured the top eight teams from the WAC regular season standings. The format followed a single-elimination structure, culminating in a final between New Mexico State and UC Davis.

New Mexico State entered as the top seed after finishing the regular season with a 13–1 conference record and a 25–6 overall record.
UC Davis earned the second seed with a 12–4 conference record and secured its first WAC Tournament final appearance in program history.
The tournament began on March 9, 2017, with four first-round games, all won by higher-seeded teams, advancing to the semifinals on March 10.
Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, served as the neutral site host for the tournament, a venue used by the WAC since 2011.
New Mexico State defeated Chicago State 78–55 in the semifinals, while UC Davis beat Cal State Bakersfield 69–65 to reach the final.

How It Works

The WAC Men's Basketball Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format involving the top teams from the conference's regular season. Seeding is based on final conference standings, with tiebreakers applied as needed.

Format: The tournament includes the top eight teams in the WAC standings. All games are single-elimination, with higher seeds hosting early rounds if held on campus, but since 2011, all rounds have been held at a neutral site.
Seeding: Teams are seeded 1–8 based on conference win-loss records. Tiebreakers include head-to-head results and point differentials if needed.
Dates: The 2017 edition was held from March 9 (first round) to March 11 (championship game), spanning three consecutive days.
Venue: Since 2011, the WAC Tournament has been held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, providing a centralized, neutral location for all teams.
Championship Game: The final determines the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament, with no at-large bids typically available for WAC teams.
NCAA Bid: The winner of the tournament receives the WAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, a crucial opportunity for mid-major programs.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top four teams in the 2017 WAC Tournament based on key performance metrics.

Team	Seed	WAC Record	Overall Record	Tournament Result
New Mexico State	1	13–1	25–6	Champions
UC Davis	2	12–4	23–9	Runner-up
Cal State Bakersfield	3	11–5	21–10	Semifinals
UMKC	4	10–6	18–14	Quarterfinals
Seattle U	5	10–6	17–14	Quarterfinals

The data shows that higher seeds generally advanced deeper into the tournament, with only minor upsets. New Mexico State’s dominant conference performance translated into a championship win, while UC Davis made a historic run as the second seed. The consistency of top teams highlights the competitive balance within the WAC during the 2016–17 season.

Why It Matters

The 2017 WAC Tournament had significant implications for team legacies, NCAA Tournament representation, and program visibility. Winning the tournament was the only realistic path to the NCAA Tournament for WAC teams.

New Mexico State earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2010, advancing as a 15-seed before losing to Baylor in the first round.
The victory marked New Mexico State’s 5th WAC Tournament title, reinforcing its status as a conference powerhouse.
UC Davis gained national attention despite the loss, setting the stage for future competitiveness in the conference.
The tournament highlighted the importance of mid-major conferences in providing access to March Madness for smaller programs.
Attendance and media coverage in Las Vegas helped promote the WAC brand and boost recruitment for member schools.
Coaching staffs used the platform to showcase talent, with several players from the tournament later pursuing professional careers.

Overall, the 2017 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament exemplified the high stakes and excitement of conference postseason play, serving as a critical juncture for teams aiming for national recognition.