What Is 2016 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament

Overview

The 2016 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship event for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. It featured the top eight teams from the WAC regular season standings, competing in a single-elimination format to determine the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.

Hosted at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, the tournament maintained its neutral-site format, which had been used since 2011. New Mexico State emerged as champions, defeating Seattle University in the final to secure the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking their third WAC tournament title in four years.

• New Mexico State entered as the top seed after finishing 13–1 in conference play, the best record in the WAC during the regular season.
• The tournament began on March 10, 2016, with four first-round games, followed by semifinals on March 11 and the championship on March 12.
• Orleans Arena in Las Vegas hosted the event for the sixth consecutive year, providing a centralized, neutral location for all participating teams.
• Seattle University reached the final as the No. 2 seed, defeating Grand Canyon in the semifinals to earn their first WAC championship game appearance.
• Championship MVP Jemerrio Jones of New Mexico State recorded 15 points and 12 rebounds in the final, leading his team to a 74–67 victory.

Format and Structure

The WAC Men's Basketball Tournament used a standard single-elimination format with seeding based on regular-season conference records. Teams were ranked 1 through 8, with higher seeds receiving favorable matchups and byes where applicable.

• Single-Elimination Format: Each game was winner-take-all, meaning a loss eliminated a team from tournament and NCAA Tournament contention.
• Seeding Criteria: Teams were seeded by conference win percentage, with tiebreakers including head-to-head results and point differentials.
• Neutral Site: The tournament was held at Orleans Arena, ensuring no team had a home-court advantage during the event.
• NCAA Bid: The winner received the WAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, regardless of overall record.
• Game Schedule: First round on Thursday, semifinals on Friday, and championship on Saturday, spanning three days in mid-March.
• Participating Teams: Eight of the 10 WAC teams qualified, excluding those with sub-.500 conference records or failing to meet NCAA academic standards.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2016 WAC Tournament results with previous editions:

From 2013 to 2016, New Mexico State dominated the WAC Tournament, winning all four titles. The 2016 final was notable for being the second consecutive year Seattle U reached the championship game, showing their rise as a competitive program. The consistent use of the Orleans Arena provided stability and visibility for the conference during this period.

Why It Matters

The 2016 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament had significant implications for both conference prestige and NCAA Tournament representation. It highlighted the growing competitiveness of mid-major programs and provided national exposure for participating schools.

• New Mexico State earned a 15-seed in the NCAA Tournament, continuing their streak of postseason appearances under head coach Paul Weir.
• The tournament helped Seattle University gain national recognition, boosting recruiting and fan engagement despite the loss.
• WAC teams received increased television exposure through ESPN3 and ESPN2 broadcasts, enhancing conference visibility.
• The event contributed to economic impact in Las Vegas, with fans, teams, and staff supporting local hotels and businesses.
• Student-athletes gained valuable experience in high-pressure environments, preparing them for professional or graduate opportunities.
• The tournament reinforced the WAC’s commitment to competitive equity by maintaining a neutral-site format for all teams.

Overall, the 2016 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament served as a critical platform for athletic achievement, conference unity, and national exposure, solidifying its role in the NCAA Division I postseason landscape.