
The Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament is held annually to determine the men's basketball champion from the Mountain West Conference. The winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. The Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada, has hosted the tournament the most times, including the last 11 consecutive tournaments. San Diego State has won the tournament the most times out of any team, with seven wins. The most recent winner, as of 2025, is Colorado State.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Winner | Colorado State |
| Seed | 2 |
| Host | Thomas & Mack Center, UNLV’s home arena |
| Previous Year Winner | New Mexico |
| Previous Year Seed | 6 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- San Diego State has the most tournament wins
- The lowest seed to win was Colorado State in 2003
- The Thomas & Mack Center has hosted the most tournaments
- New Mexico won in 2024, becoming the first 6 seed to play and win all four rounds
- The winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Basketball tournament

San Diego State has the most tournament wins
San Diego State has been the most successful team in the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament, winning it a record seven times. They last won the tournament in 2023 as the number one seed.
The Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament is held annually to determine the men's basketball champion from the conference. The winner automatically qualifies for the NCAA Division I Basketball tournament. The only exception to this was during the conference's first year in existence, in the 1998-1999 season.
San Diego State's seven tournament wins put them ahead of any other team in the Mountain West Conference. The number two seed has won the tournament eight times, which is more than any other seed. However, this includes multiple teams, whereas San Diego State's seven wins have been achieved by a single team.
The Mountain West Conference has a rich history, with several teams achieving success over the years. While San Diego State has the most tournament wins, other teams have also experienced multiple victories. This includes Colorado State, which won the tournament in 2025, and New Mexico, which won in both 2024 and as far back as 1996.
In addition to basketball, the Mountain West Conference sponsors several other sports, including softball, tennis, and volleyball. In these sports, it was previously possible for a champion to claim two championships in one year, with one title from the regular season and the other from a postseason tournament. However, this practice has been abolished in recent years for some sports, such as softball and women's volleyball.
Best Mouthguards for Male Basketball Players
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The lowest seed to win was Colorado State in 2003
The Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament is held annually to determine the men's basketball champion from the Mountain West Conference. The winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Basketball tournament. The lowest seed to win the tournament was Colorado State as a No. 6 seed in 2003.
Colorado State's win as a No.6 seed is particularly notable as it is the lowest seed to have won the tournament. In comparison, the No. 2 seed has won the tournament eight times, the most of any seed. Colorado State's win in 2003 demonstrates the unpredictability and competitive nature of the tournament, where even lower-ranked teams can emerge victorious.
The Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament has a rich history, with various teams rising to the challenge and claiming the championship title. While some teams have dominated, such as San Diego State with their seven tournament wins, the lowest-seeded victory by Colorado State serves as a reminder that anything is possible in this competitive arena.
Colorado State's achievement in 2003 is an inspiring example of overcoming the odds and showcases the passion and determination of the teams vying for the championship title. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches, proving that a lower seed does not define the outcome.
While Colorado State's victory as the lowest seed in 2003 stands out, other teams have also defied expectations and claimed the tournament victory. New Mexico, for instance, won the tournament as a No. 6 seed in 2024, becoming the first team to play and win all four rounds. These underdog stories add to the excitement and unpredictability of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament.
Xavier Basketball: Ranked or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The Thomas & Mack Center has hosted the most tournaments
The Thomas & Mack Center, located on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in Paradise, Nevada, has hosted the most Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournaments. The multi-purpose arena, which first opened in 1983, has a maximum seating capacity of 18,776 for basketball games. It is named after two prominent Nevada bankers, E. Parry Thomas and Jerome (D.) Mack, who donated the original funds for the feasibility and land studies.
The venue has hosted a variety of sporting events, including championship boxing matches, the National Finals Rodeo, NBA exhibition games, and the NBA Summer League. It has also been the site of numerous entertainment events, such as Disney on Ice, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Harlem Globetrotters, WWE Raw, and concerts by artists like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Diana Ross, and Elton John.
The Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament has been held annually at the Thomas & Mack Center since 2007, with the venue hosting 15 tournaments in total, including the last 11 consecutively. The arena also hosted the 1994–95 Big West Conference, 1997–99 Western Athletic Conference, and 2000–03 Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournaments.
The Thomas & Mack Center is home to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team of the Mountain West Conference. The team has its own nickname for the arena, calling it "the Shark Tank" after their coach Jerry Tarkanian, who led them to a national championship in 1990.
Basketball Wives Star British's Jail Time Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$59.99 $79.99

New Mexico won in 2024, becoming the first 6 seed to play and win all four rounds
The Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament is held annually to determine the men's basketball champion from the Mountain West Conference. In 2024, New Mexico won the tournament as a No. 6 seed, becoming the first team in the history of the tournament to play and win all four rounds as the lowest seed. This was a significant achievement, as it had only been accomplished once before by Colorado State in 2003.
The Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament is a highly competitive event, with teams vying for the championship title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Basketball tournament. While the winner usually receives an automatic bid, there was an exception during the conference's first year in existence, the 1998-1999 season.
New Mexico's victory in 2024 as a No. 6 seed was a testament to their skill, strategy, and determination. They navigated through challenging opponents and demonstrated resilience in each round of the tournament. Their win also highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of the Mountain West Conference tournament, where even lower-seeded teams can make a remarkable run to the championship.
The 2024 tournament showcased the talent and competitiveness within the Mountain West Conference. New Mexico's achievement as the first No. 6 seed to win all four rounds added a unique chapter to the tournament's history, inspiring future underdog teams to pursue similar triumphs. The victory by New Mexico also served as a reminder that seeding alone does not determine the outcome, and any team in the conference can rise to the challenge and claim the championship title.
While New Mexico's victory in 2024 as a No. 6 seed was historic, it is important to acknowledge the overall success of the San Diego State team in the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament. San Diego State has won the tournament the most times of any team, with seven championship titles to their name. Despite New Mexico's impressive performance as a lower seed in 2024, San Diego State's consistent success over the years solidifies their position as a powerhouse in the conference.
Measuring the 3-Point Line: Basketball Court Geometry
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Basketball tournament
The Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament is held annually to determine the men's basketball champion from the Mountain West Conference. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Basketball tournament. The Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada, has hosted the tournament most frequently—15 times, including the last 11 consecutive tournaments.
The winner of the Mountain West Conference tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament, the most prestigious and competitive level of college basketball in the United States. The NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament, often referred to as "March Madness", is a single-elimination tournament featuring 68 teams from Division I conferences across the nation. The excitement and unpredictability of the tournament, with its potential for upsets and Cinderella stories, have made it one of the most popular sporting events in the United States.
The automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament is significant because it guarantees the winner of the Mountain West Conference tournament a spot in the prestigious national tournament. This not only provides the team with a chance to compete for the national championship but also brings exposure and recognition to the conference as a whole. The Mountain West Conference has a rich history in college basketball, and the automatic bid ensures that the conference's champion has an opportunity to represent their conference on the biggest stage.
Over the years, several teams have emerged as contenders in the Mountain West Conference tournament. San Diego State has dominated, winning the tournament seven times, the most of any team. The No. 2 seed has also historically performed well, winning the tournament eight times. However, lower-seeded teams have also made their mark, with Colorado State winning as a No. 6 seed in 2003 and New Mexico achieving the same feat in 2024, becoming the first sixth-seeded team to win after playing all four rounds.
The Mountain West Conference tournament is a highly anticipated event, with the winner earning the prestigious NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament bid. The tournament showcases the talent and competitiveness of the conference, contributing to the rich history and tradition of college basketball in the United States.
Basketball Equipment Essentials: Gear for the Court
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Colorado State won the 2025 Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament as a 2 seed.
New Mexico won the 2024 tournament as a 6 seed.
San Diego State has won the tournament seven times, the most of any team.










































