What Is 2018 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was held from March 8–10, 2018, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. New Mexico State defeated UTPA 79–59 in the final to claim the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: March 8–10, 2018
Host venue: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Champion: New Mexico State Aggies
Runner-up: UTPA Vaqueros
Championship game score: 79–59

Overview

The 2018 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship event for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 2017–2018 NCAA Division I season. It determined the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament, with all eligible WAC teams competing in a single-elimination format.

Hosted at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, the tournament featured eight teams seeded by regular-season conference performance. Games were played from March 8 to March 10, culminating in a decisive victory by New Mexico State in the final.

New Mexico State entered as the top seed with a 13–1 conference record, making them the tournament favorites based on regular-season dominance.
UTPA (University of Texas–Pan American) advanced to the championship game as the No. 5 seed, overcoming higher-seeded teams in earlier rounds.
The semifinals were held on March 9, with New Mexico State defeating Seattle U 77–60 and UTPA beating Grand Canyon 74–70 in overtime.
Orleans Arena has hosted the WAC Tournament since 2011, providing a neutral site with a seating capacity of approximately 9,500 for basketball events.
Championship game attendance was 3,842, reflecting steady regional interest despite the conference's mid-major status.

How It Works

The WAC Men's Basketball Tournament follows a structured format to determine its NCAA Tournament representative. The system emphasizes seeding, single-elimination matchups, and neutral-site competition.

Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination bracket with eight of the conference’s 10 teams qualifying based on regular-season standings.
Seeding: Teams are seeded 1–8 based on their conference win-loss records, with tiebreakers used to separate teams with identical records.
Location: Since 2011, the event has been held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, ensuring a consistent, centralized venue for fans and teams.
Championship prize: The winner receives the WAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, regardless of their national ranking or resume.
Game length: All games follow standard NCAA rules—40 minutes of play, divided into two 20-minute halves with a 15-minute halftime.
Officials: Games are refereed by NCAA-certified crews, typically consisting of three referees assigned by the conference office.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 WAC Tournament compared to recent editions in key metrics:

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Score	Location
2018	New Mexico State	UTPA	79–59	Las Vegas, NV
2017	New Mexico State	UC Davis	79–74	Las Vegas, NV
2016	New Mexico State	UC Davis	58–57	Las Vegas, NV
2015	New Mexico State	Seattle U	77–68	Las Vegas, NV
2014	New Mexico State	Idaho	77–60	Las Vegas, NV

The table highlights New Mexico State’s dominance during this era, winning five consecutive WAC titles from 2014 to 2018. The 2018 final was notable for its lopsided score, contrasting with closer finishes in prior years. UTPA’s run to the final was also a surprise, as they were the only team to reach the championship game outside the top two seeds during that five-year span.

Why It Matters

The 2018 WAC Tournament had significant implications for the conference, its member institutions, and postseason basketball landscape. It reinforced competitive parity while showcasing emerging programs and star athletes.

NCAA Tournament berth: New Mexico State’s win secured their spot in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, where they were seeded 12th in the South Region.
Program prestige: The title added to New Mexico State’s growing reputation as a mid-major powerhouse under head coach Chris Jans.
Player exposure: Tournament performances helped players like Jemerrio Jones gain national attention, later earning All-WAC honors.
Conference stability: The WAC maintained consistent tournament operations despite membership changes, with the event serving as a unifying tradition.
Recruiting impact: Success in the tournament boosted visibility for WAC schools, aiding in attracting high-performing student-athletes.
Financial benefits: NCAA Tournament revenue sharing provided additional funds to the WAC, distributed among member institutions.

Ultimately, the 2018 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament exemplified the excitement and stakes of mid-major postseason play. It combined competitive drama with tangible rewards, reinforcing the value of conference tournaments in college basketball’s ecosystem.