Ayrton Oneill
The Grand Canyon Antelopes won the 2023 WAC Basketball Tournament, defeating Southern Utah 84-66 in the final. This was Grand Canyon University's second WAC championship and their second NCAA Tournament qualification in three seasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | March 11, 2023 |
| Winner | Grand Canyon University |
| Winner Seed | No. 5 |
| Runner-up | Southern Utah |
| Runner-up Seed | No. 3 |
| Final Score | 84-66 |
| Location | Orleans Arena, Las Vegas |
| Tournament Format | Single-elimination |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Grand Canyon University wins the 2023 WAC Tournament
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) men's basketball tournament has been held annually since 1984. The 2023 WAC tournament adopted a new seeding system based on advanced team metrics, which took into account a team's performance against their entire schedule, not just their conference games.
Despite Utah Valley finishing the season with the best conference record, they entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed. This was because the WAC altered its seeding structure, using a "resume seeding system" developed with Ken Pomeroy. This formula considers a team's entire resume, including the strength of their opponents. Losses to stronger opponents are judged less harshly than losses to weaker opponents, and wins against superior teams are given more weight than wins against inferior ones. Based on this formula, Sam Houston, with a 14-4 conference record, entered the tournament as the top seed.
However, it was Grand Canyon University that ultimately won the 2023 WAC Tournament, claiming the coveted prize of a guaranteed spot in the NCAA basketball tournament. This victory marked a significant achievement for Grand Canyon University's basketball program, showcasing their talent and determination throughout the tournament.
The road to the championship was undoubtedly challenging, with fierce competition from other top seeds, such as Sam Houston and Utah Valley. Grand Canyon University's success in the 2023 WAC Tournament can be attributed to various factors, including the skill and dedication of their players, effective coaching strategies, and perhaps even a touch of good fortune along the way.
Grand Canyon University's triumph in the WAC Tournament not only secured their place in the NCAA tournament but also etched their name in the history books of WAC basketball. Their victory will be remembered as a testament to their hard work, teamwork, and resilience, serving as an inspiration for future basketball aspirants within the university and beyond.
Who Will Be Crowned Champions of the Hardcourt?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
WAC adopts a new seeding system in 2023
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) has undergone a significant transformation in its seeding system for the 2023 basketball tournament, marking a departure from traditional seeding methods. This innovative approach, dubbed the "WAC Résumé Seeding System," is designed to provide a more nuanced evaluation of teams' performance.
The new seeding system is based on advanced team metrics and statistical analysis, with the aim of recognizing the achievements of WAC teams more accurately. Developed in collaboration with statistical expert Ken Pomeroy, the system employs a formula that scrutinizes a team's entire body of work, including the strength of their opponents. This means that a victory over a formidable opponent will be rewarded more generously in the seeding calculations than a win against a weaker team. Similarly, a loss to a formidable opponent will not be as detrimental as a loss to a weaker team.
Utah Valley University presents an illustrative example of how this new seeding system operates. Despite boasting the best conference record in the WAC, finishing with an impressive 15-3 record, they were seeded second in the tournament. This was due to the top seed being awarded to Sam Houston State University, who had a slightly less impressive conference record of 14-4. Sam Houston's higher seeding is a direct result of the new system, which takes into account the strength of opponents faced.
The WAC's adoption of this innovative seeding system is a bold move that has the potential to revolutionize how basketball tournaments are seeded. By recognizing the quality of wins and losses, the system adds a layer of complexity that goes beyond simple win-loss records. This approach not only rewards teams for taking on tougher opponents but also ensures that losses to stronger teams are not overly punitive. The WAC's initiative is a testament to the conference's forward-thinking approach and willingness to embrace advanced analytics to enhance the fairness and competitiveness of their tournament.
The Most Successful Men's College Basketball Programs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
WAC Tournament structure and seeding
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) men's basketball tournament is the annual conference championship tournament for the Western Athletic Conference. The winner of the tournament is guaranteed a spot in the NCAA basketball tournament. The WAC adopted a new seeding system in 2023, based on advanced team metrics developed by Ken Pomeroy. Tournament entry is still based on conference record.
The WAC tournament has been held annually since 1984, alternating between being hosted at campus sites and neutral sites. From 1984 to 1992, the regular-season champion hosted the tournament, but in 1993 and 1994, it was held at a neutral site in Salt Lake City, less than five miles from the then-conference member Utah's campus. From 1995 to 2009, the tournament returned to on-campus sites, with the location awarded through a predetermined bidding process.
The WAC uses a KenPom-based method to seed its conference tournament. Seeding is based on a team's performance against their entire schedule, not just their conference games. The WAC Résumé Seeding System was used for the 2023 and 2024 tournaments. The number of teams in the WAC tournament field has varied from six to twelve.
Current WAC rules allow transitional schools to play in the WAC tournament upon their arrival in the conference. Tarleton and Utah Tech, for example, were eligible for the WAC tournament but not the NCAA tournament during their transition from NCAA Division II to Division I in 2020.
Berkeley High Basketball: Champions or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
WAC Tournament history
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) men's basketball tournament is the annual conference championship tournament for the WAC. Although the WAC was founded in 1962, the tournament has only been held since 1984. The winner of the tournament is guaranteed a spot in the NCAA basketball tournament every year.
The tournament has alternated between being hosted at campus sites and neutral sites throughout its history. From the inaugural event in 1984 until 1992, the regular-season champion hosted the tournament. In 1993 and 1994, the tournament was held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, considered a neutral site despite being located close to the campus of then-conference member Utah. From 1995 through 2009, the event returned to on-campus sites, with the location decided through a predetermined bidding process.
In 2023, the WAC adopted a new seeding system based on advanced team metrics developed by statistical guru Ken Pomeroy. Despite this, tournament entry will still be based on conference record. Among current WAC members, California Baptist has competed in at least one WAC tournament but has never reached the title game. Utah Valley made it in 2025, while Tarleton and Utah Tech have yet to play in a WAC tournament due to their ongoing transitions from NCAA Division II to Division I.
In 2023, Grand Canyon University (GCU) basketball won the WAC Tournament final, defeating Southern Utah 84-66. This victory earned GCU its second trip to the NCAA Tournament in school history and its second time in three seasons.
Mastering Synergy Basketball: Strategies for Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
WAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) has awarded WAC Player of the Year honours every season since 1980-81. The winner of the WAC tournament is guaranteed a spot in the NCAA basketball tournament every year.
On March 6, 2023, Qua Grant was named the WAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year. Grant, from Sam Houston, captured the top yearly honour in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) as part of the 2022-23 WAC conference awards in men's basketball that were voted on by member head coaches. Grant led five major award winners as the WAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. Other top award winners included Utah Valley’s Aziz Bandaogo (Defensive Player and Newcomer of the Year) and head coach Mark Madsen (Coach of the Year), Southern Utah’s Dee Barnes (Sixth Man of the Year), and UT Arlington’s Chendall Weaver (Freshman of the Year).
Two players have won the award three times each: Utah’s Keith Van Horn (1995-97) and Nevada’s Nick Fazekas (2005-07). Former member Utah is the program with the most winners (seven), followed by Nevada (six), New Mexico State (five), and BYU (four).
In 2023, Grand Canyon University (GCU) basketball won the WAC Tournament final, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history and the second time in three seasons. The No. 5 seed Antelopes defeated No. 3 seed Southern Utah in the WAC Tournament final with a score of 84-66. Ray Harrison scored 31 points, shooting 10-for-18 and securing GCU’s Division 1 single-season scoring record. Yvan Ouedraogo’s jumper gave GCU a 27-26 lead with six minutes left in the first half, sparking a 19-3 run that included four 3-pointers from Harrison. Harrison scored 20 points in the first half, helping GCU take a commanding 44-31 lead. Gabe McGlothan added 21 points on 12 shots, and Noah Baumann contributed 16 points, hitting a career-high five 3-pointers.
Brooke's Motherhood: Basketball Wives and Her Children
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Grand Canyon University won the 2023 WAC Basketball Tournament, beating Southern Utah 84-66.
WAC stands for Western Athletic Conference.
The winner of the WAC Basketball Tournament is guaranteed a spot in the NCAA basketball tournament.
