What Is 2012 SWAC men's basketball tournament

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 SWAC men's basketball tournament was held from March 6–10, 2012, at the Garland Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana, where Texas Southern defeated Alabama State 75–61 in the final to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

Key Facts

The 2012 SWAC tournament took place from March 6–10, 2012.
It was hosted at the Garland Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Texas Southern won the championship with a 75–61 victory over Alabama State.
The tournament champion received an automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
Seven teams participated in the single-elimination format.

Overview

The 2012 SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship for the Southwestern Athletic Conference during the 2011–2012 NCAA Division I season. It determined the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament, making it a high-stakes event for member schools.

Hosted at the Garland Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana, the tournament followed a single-elimination format and featured seven teams. Texas Southern emerged as champions, defeating Alabama State in the final to secure the SWAC's NCAA Tournament bid.

March 6–10, 2012: These were the official dates of the tournament, with preliminary rounds starting on March 6 and the championship game on March 10.
Garland Coliseum: This venue in Shreveport, Louisiana, hosted the event for the second consecutive year due to its central location and seating capacity of approximately 8,500.
Seven participating teams: The SWAC sent the top seven teams based on regular-season conference standings, with seeding determined by win-loss records.
Texas Southern: The Tigers entered as the No. 2 seed with a 12–6 conference record and won four games in five days to claim the title.
75–61 final score: Texas Southern defeated Alabama State in the championship game, marking their first SWAC tournament win since 1995.

How It Works

The SWAC tournament format and qualification rules are designed to reward regular-season performance while giving lower seeds a path to the NCAA Tournament through a compact, single-elimination bracket.

Single-Elimination Format: Each game is win-or-go-home, meaning a loss eliminates a team. This increases pressure and unpredictability, especially for higher seeds.
Seeding Based on Record: Teams are seeded 1 through 7 based on their win-loss record in SWAC conference play, with tiebreakers applied if necessary.
Automatic NCAA Bid: The tournament winner receives the SWAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, regardless of regular-season performance.
First-Round Byes: The top two seeds received byes into the semifinals, reducing their required wins to three instead of four for lower seeds.
Game Duration: Each game follows standard NCAA rules: 40 minutes of regulation play, divided into two 20-minute halves.
Host Site Rotation: The tournament location is pre-determined; Shreveport secured hosting rights through a multi-year agreement with the SWAC and local organizers.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key aspects of the 2012 SWAC tournament with prior years:

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	Location	Championship Score
2012	Texas Southern	Alabama State	Shreveport, LA	75–61
2011	Mississippi Valley State	Alabama A&M	Shreveport, LA	64–57
2010	Arkansas–Pine Bluff	Alabama State	Hot Springs, AR	68–59
2009	Arkansas–Pine Bluff	Mississippi Valley State	Hot Springs, AR	78–77
2008	Alcorn State	Alabama A&M	Grambling, LA	64–48

This comparison highlights a shift in dominance, with Texas Southern's 2012 win breaking a streak of champions from Arkansas–Pine Bluff and Mississippi Valley State. Shreveport became a consistent host, providing stability in venue despite rotating champions. The scores reflect competitive games, though 2012 saw a relatively decisive victory compared to prior close finishes.

Why It Matters

The 2012 SWAC tournament was significant not only for crowning a champion but also for shaping postseason opportunities and conference visibility in college basketball.

NCAA Tournament berth: Texas Southern earned a No. 15 seed in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, facing No. 2 seed Cincinnati in the first round.
Historic achievement: The win marked Texas Southern's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1995, ending a 17-year drought.
Conference representation: A strong tournament performance helps raise the SWAC's national profile and RPI rankings for future scheduling.
Player recognition: Tournament MVPs and standout performers often gain All-Conference honors and professional opportunities.
Recruiting boost: Success in March enhances a school’s ability to attract high school and transfer talent.
Financial impact: NCAA Tournament revenue sharing benefits SWAC schools, with each game played generating funds distributed over six years.

The 2012 tournament exemplified how postseason success can transform a program’s trajectory, providing both immediate rewards and long-term benefits for athletes, coaches, and institutions within the conference.