What Is 2007 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament

Overview

The 2007 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason event to determine the Western Athletic Conference champion for the 2006–07 season. It featured the top eight teams from the regular-season standings competing in a single-elimination format.

Hosted at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the tournament concluded with a dominant performance by the University of Nevada. The event marked the second year the WAC held its championship in Las Vegas, aiming to increase visibility and attendance.

• Nevada entered as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season with a 13–1 conference record, the best in the WAC.
• UTEP was the No. 2 seed with a 12–2 conference record, making them the only team to beat Nevada during the regular season.
• The tournament spanned four days, from March 7 to March 10, 2007, with preliminary rounds on Wednesday and the final on Saturday.
• Orleans Arena hosted the event for the second straight year, providing a neutral site to enhance competitive fairness.
• All games were broadcast on ESPN Regional networks, increasing national exposure for WAC basketball programs.

How It Works

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

• Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination format with the top eight teams from the 10-team conference qualifying based on regular-season standings.
• Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on conference win-loss records, with tiebreakers used if necessary to determine placement.
• Game Schedule: The tournament begins with first-round games on Wednesday, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals on Friday, and the championship on Saturday.
• Location: Since 2006, the WAC Tournament has been held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, chosen to boost attendance and media interest.
• NCAA Bid: The winner receives the WAC's automatic qualification to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, regardless of at-large consideration.
• Historical Context: The WAC Tournament began in 1998 and has evolved, including expansion from six to eight teams in 2006 to include more programs.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2007 WAC Tournament compared to recent editions in key metrics:

The 2007 tournament stood out for the decisive 26-point margin in the final, the largest in WAC Tournament history. Nevada’s defensive performance held UTEP to just 45 points, a tournament low. While all WAC champions from 2003 to 2007 lost in the NCAA Tournament’s first round, the 2007 edition demonstrated the growing competitiveness of mid-major programs.

Why It Matters

The 2007 WAC Tournament had lasting implications for conference perception, team legacies, and NCAA Tournament representation. It highlighted Nevada’s rise as a mid-major powerhouse and solidified Las Vegas as a viable host for conference championships.

• Nevada’s 26-point win set a WAC Tournament record for largest margin of victory in a final game, showcasing their dominance.
• The Wolf Pack earned a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament, their highest seeding since joining Division I, reflecting strong season performance.
• Head coach Mark Fox gained national recognition for building a disciplined, defense-first program in just his second season.
• UTEP’s loss ended their hopes of a deep NCAA run, despite finishing second in the conference with a 12–2 record.
• The WAC’s move to Las Vegas helped increase attendance and media coverage, setting a precedent for other mid-major conferences.
• The tournament underscored parity in the WAC, as five different teams won the title from 2003 to 2007, indicating competitive balance.

The 2007 event remains a benchmark for WAC basketball, illustrating how strategic scheduling and strong team performance can elevate a conference’s national profile.