What Is 2006 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament

Overview

The 2006 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament marked the postseason championship for the Western Athletic Conference during the 2005–2006 NCAA Division I season. It determined the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament, a crucial opportunity for mid-major programs.

Hosted at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada, the event brought together the top eight teams from the WAC based on regular-season performance. The tournament used a single-elimination format, culminating in a decisive final game that saw Nevada claim its first WAC title since joining the conference.

• Nevada entered as the tournament’s top seed after finishing first in the WAC standings with a 13–1 conference record.
• The tournament spanned three days, from March 9 to March 11, 2006, with quarterfinals on the 9th and semifinals on the 10th.
• New Mexico State advanced to the final as the second seed, defeating Louisiana Tech and Utah State en route.
• Lawlor Events Center served as the neutral site host, though Nevada’s home-court advantage was a talking point among analysts.
• Nevada defeated New Mexico State 71–57 in the championship game, led by 22 points from senior guard Marcelus Kemp.

How It Works

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

• Format: The tournament uses an 8-team, single-elimination bracket. The top eight teams from the WAC regular season qualify, seeded by win-loss record.
• Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on conference performance, with tiebreakers applied if necessary to determine final rankings.
• Venue: From 2004 to 2007, the tournament was held at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada, a neutral site despite Nevada’s proximity.
• Championship Prize: The winner receives the WAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, regardless of at-large consideration.
• Game Structure: Each game follows standard NCAA rules, with overtime used if necessary to determine a winner in elimination rounds.
• Player Awards: The tournament MVP is selected post-championship; in 2006, Marcelus Kemp of Nevada earned the honor after scoring 22 points in the final.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2006 WAC Tournament compared to previous editions and key metrics:

The 2006 edition continued the trend of Nevada and New Mexico State emerging as power programs in the WAC. Unlike earlier years, the final was not close, with Nevada dominating defensively and holding New Mexico State to just 57 points—the lowest total by a runner-up since 2000. The consistency of hosting in Reno provided stability, though debate continued over true neutrality.

Why It Matters

The 2006 WAC Tournament had lasting implications for conference realignment, team legacies, and NCAA Tournament representation. It highlighted Nevada’s rise as a mid-major powerhouse and underscored the importance of postseason success in program visibility.

• Nevada’s NCAA bid marked their first appearance since 1985, significantly boosting the program’s national profile.
• The victory helped head coach Mark Fox secure long-term stability and future recruiting advantages.
• Marcelus Kemp solidified his legacy as one of Nevada’s all-time greats, later drafted into the NBA Development League.
• WAC visibility increased, though the conference would later lose members like Boise State and Fresno State to realignment.
• The tournament format influenced future decisions, with the WAC eventually rotating host sites after 2007.
• It demonstrated how a strong defensive performance in March—Nevada allowed just 57 points in the final—could define a championship run.

Ultimately, the 2006 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament remains a benchmark for Nevada’s program and a case study in how conference tournaments can shape college basketball legacies.