Horizon League men's basketball tournament explained

Horizon League men's basketball tournament
Sport:College basketball
Conference:Horizon League
Number Of Teams:12
Format:Single-elimination tournament
Current Stadium:Indiana Farmers Coliseum
Current Location:Indianapolis, Indiana
Years:1980–present
Most Recent:2024
Current Champion:Oakland (1)
Most Championships:Butler Bulldogs (7)
Television:ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN+
Website:https://horizonleague.org/tournaments/?id=63
All Stadiums:Roberts Municipal Stadium (1980–1983)
Campus locations (1981, 2003–2015, 2019–present)
Frederickson Fieldhouse (1981)
Riverfront Coliseum (1981, 1992)
Mabee Center (1982, 1985)
UIC Pavilion (1984, 1999–2000)
Market Square Arena (1986–1988, 1993)
University of Dayton Arena (1989–1991)
Hinkle Fieldhouse (1994, 2004, 2008–2010)
Nutter Center (1995–1997, 2001, 2007)
Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena (1998)
CSU Convocation Center (2002)
U.S. Cellular Arena (2003–2006, 2011)
Athletics–Recreation Center (2012–2013, 2015)
Resch Center (2014)
Joe Louis Arena (2016–2017)
Little Caesars Arena (2018–2019)
Indiana Farmers Coliseum (2020–present)

The Horizon League men's basketball conference tournament is held annually at the end of the men's college basketball regular season. The tournament has been played each year since 1980. The winner of the tournament is designated the Horizon League Tournament Champion and receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The finals of the tournament are typically among the first held before the field for the NCAA tournament is announced.

History and tournament format

Through 2002, the entire tournament was hosted at a single venue. From 2003 through 2015, all first-round matches were played at the home court of the higher-seeded team involved. Hosting rights for the quarterfinals and semifinals were awarded to the winner of the regular season championship. The championship game was played at the home arena of the higher remaining seed. This format rewarded the regular-season champion and runner-up with a double-bye into the semifinals. The regular-season champion received the added benefit of home-court advantage in the semifinals, plus a home-court final if it won its semifinal.

Beginning in 2009, the Horizon League secured an entitlement sponsorship of its men's and women's basketball tournaments with Speedway SuperAmerica, a major gas and convenience store chain throughout the midwest United States, officially changing the name of the tournaments to "The Speedway Horizon League Men's/Women's Basketball Championship".

From 2016 to 2019, the Horizon League tournament was held in Detroit under a five-year deal, beginning at Joe Louis Arena, adding the women's tournament in 2017 (with both events marketed under the title Motor City Madness), and moving to the newly-opened Little Caesars Arena beginning in 2018.[1] [2] [3] [4]

However, the contract with Detroit was ended a year early;[5] the league reopened bidding for the men's and women's tournaments in 2018, with the new contract taking effect with the 2019–20 season.[6] On January 25, 2019, the conference announced that Indianapolis would host the men's and women's semifinals and final from 2020 to 2022, with Indiana Farmers Coliseum as the venue.[7] In 2022, the deal was extended through 2026.[8]

Horizon League tournament champions

TeamChampionshipsYears
Butleralign=center 71997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2010, 2011
Xavieralign=center 61983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991
Milwaukeealign=center 42003, 2005, 2006, 2014
Northern Kentuckyalign=center 42017, 2019, 2020, 2023
Wright Statealign=center 32007, 2018, 2022
Detroit Mercyalign=center 31994, 1999, 2012
Evansvillealign=center 31982, 1992, 1993
Cleveland Statealign=center 22009, 2021
Green Bay21995, 2016
Oral Roberts21980, 1984
UICalign=center 22002, 2004
Valparaisoalign=center 22013, 2015
Daytonalign=center 11990
Loyolaalign=center 11985
Northern Illinoisalign=center 11996
Oaklandalign=center 12024
Oklahoma Cityalign=center 11981
Duquesnealign=center 0
IU Indyalign=center 0
La Sallealign=center 0
Marquettealign=center 0
Purdue Fort Waynealign=center 0
Robert Morrisalign=center 0
Saint Louisalign=center 0
Youngstown Statealign=center 0
Notes

Horizon League Tournament all-time standings

Current members

Through 2020 tournament finals

School Record Winning pct Championships
Detroit 33–37 3
Wright State 28–24 3
Green Bay 24–25 2
Milwaukee 23–20 4
Cleveland State 19–23 3
Northern Kentucky 10–3 3
Oakland 7–9 0
Youngstown State 7–21 0
Purdue Fort Wayne 2–2 0
Robert Morris 1–2 0
IU Indy 0–5 0

Former members

SchoolRecordWinning pctChampionships
Butler30–257
Loyola 25–32 1
Xavier24–106
UIC24–252
Evansville15–123
Valparaiso 8–6 2
Oral Roberts7–62
Saint Louis7–80
Northern Illinois5–21
Dayton5–41
Oklahoma City5–41
Duquesne1–10
Marquette0–20
La Salle0–30

Horizon League Tournament results

YearChampionSeedScoreRunner-upSeedTournament MVPSite
19802103–931, Oral RobertsRoberts Municipal StadiumEvansville, IN
1981Oklahoma City282–761, XavierOpening round: campus locations
Semifinals: Frederickson Fieldhouse – Oklahoma City, OK
Championship: Riverfront ColiseumCincinnati, OH
1982Evansville181–723, EvansvilleMabee CenterTulsa, OK
1983Xavier282–761, LoyolaRoberts Municipal Stadium – Evansville, IN
1984182–763, Oral RobertsUIC Pavilion – Chicago, IL
1985Loyola189–833, LoyolaMabee Center – Tulsa, OK
1986Xavier174–662, XavierMarket Square ArenaIndianapolis, IN
1987Xavier381–694
1988Xavier1122–96Detroit6
1989Xavier385–78Evansville1, XavierUniversity of Dayton ArenaDayton, OH
1990Dayton298–89Xavier1, Dayton
1991Xavier181–683, Xavier
1992Evansville295–763, EvansvilleRiverfront Coliseum – Cincinnati, OH
1993Evansville280–69Xavier1Market Square Arena – Indianapolis, IN
1994Detroit472–632, EvansvilleHinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
1995Green Bay373–59Wright State8, Green BayNutter Center – Dayton, OH
1996Northern Illinois384–63Detroit5, Northern Illinois
1997Butler169–68UIC3, Butler
1998Butler370–51Green Bay4, ButlerBrown County Veterans Memorial ArenaGreen Bay, WI
1999Detroit172–652, DetroitUIC Pavilion – Chicago, IL
2000Butler162–43Detroit3, Butler
2001Butler153–38Detroit2, ButlerNutter Center – Dayton, OH
2002UIC676–75 (OT)Loyola5, UICCSU Convocation CenterCleveland, OH
2003Milwaukee269–52Butler1, MilwaukeeOpening round: campus locations
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: U.S. Cellular Arena – Milwaukee, WI
2004UIC265–62Milwaukee1, UICOpening round: campus locations
Quarterfinals, Semifinals: Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
Championship: U.S. Cellular Arena – Milwaukee, WI
2005Milwaukee159–58Detroit3, MilwaukeeOpening round: campus locations
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: U.S. Cellular Arena – Milwaukee, WI
2006Milwaukee187–71Butler2, Milwaukee
2007Wright State160–55Butler2, Wright StateOpening round: campus locations
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Nutter Center – Dayton, OH
2008Butler170–55Cleveland State2, ButlerOpening round: campus locations
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
2009Cleveland State357–54Butler1, Cleveland State
2010Butler170–45Wright State2, Butler
2011Butler259–44Milwaukee1Opening round: campus locations
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: U.S. Cellular Arena – Milwaukee, WI
2012Detroit370–50Valparaiso1, DetroitOpening round: campus locations
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Athletics–Recreation CenterValparaiso, IN
2013Valparaiso162–54Wright State3, Valparaiso
2014Milwaukee569–63Wright State3, MilwaukeeOpening round: campus locations
Quarterfinals, Semifinals: Resch Center – Green Bay, WI
Championship: Nutter Center – Dayton, OH
2015Valparaiso154–44Green Bay2, ValparaisoOpening round: campus locations
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Athletics–Recreation Center – Valparaiso, IN
2016Green Bay478–693, Green BayJoe Louis ArenaDetroit, MI
2017Northern Kentucky459–53Milwaukee10, Northern Kentucky
20182 74–57Cleveland State8, Wright StateLittle Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
2019Northern Kentucky277–66Wright State1, Northern KentuckyOpening round: campus locations
Semifinals, Championship: Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
2020Northern Kentucky271–62UIC4, Northern Kentucky Opening round: campus locations
Semifinals, Championship: Indiana Farmers Coliseum – Indianapolis, IN
2021180–693, Cleveland State
2022472–71 Northern Kentucky3 , Wright State
2023Northern Kentucky463–613 , Northern Kentucky
2024183–76Milwaukee6 , Oakland

Postseason appearances

Horizon League members past and present have made several Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and Final Four appearances. Charter member Loyola also won the 1963 NCAA tournament.

Current tournaments

SeasonNCAA TournamentNational Invitation TournamentCollege Basketball Invitational
Team (seed)FinishTeam (seed)FinishTeam (seed)Finish
1980LoyolaFirst roundTournament
not
held
1981
1982Evansville (10)First roundOral RobertsFirst round
1983Xavier (12)Preliminary round
1984Oral Roberts (11)First roundXavierQuarterfinals
1985Loyola (4)Sweet 16ButlerFirst round
1986Xavier (12)First round
1987Xavier (13)Second roundSt. LouisSecond round
1988Xavier (11)First roundEvansvilleFirst round
1989Evansville (11)Second roundSt. LouisRunner-Up
Xavier (14)Second round
1990Xavier (6)Sweet 16St. LouisRunner-Up
Dayton (12)Second roundMarquetteFirst round
1991Xavier (14)Second roundButlerFirst round
1992Evansville (8)First roundButlerFirst round
1993Xavier (9)Second round
Evansville (14)First round
1994XavierQuarterfinals
EvansvilleFirst round
1995Green Bay (14)First round
Xavier (11)First round
1996Green Bay (8)First round
Northern Illinois (14)First round
1997Butler (14)First round
1998UIC (9)First round
Detroit (10)Second round
Butler (13)First round
1999Detroit (12)First roundButlerQuarterfinals
2000Butler (12)First round
2001Butler (10)First roundDetroitSemifinals
2002UIC (15)First roundButlerSecond round
DetroitFirst round
2003Butler (12)Sweet 16UICFirst round
Milwaukee (12)First round
2004UIC (13)First roundMilwaukeeFirst round
2005Milwaukee (12)Sweet 16
2006Milwaukee (11)Second roundButler (8)First round
2007Butler (5)Sweet 16
Wright State (14)First round
2008Butler (7) Second roundCleveland State (6) First roundValparaiso (4)Second round
2009Butler (9) First roundGreen Bay (2)First round
Cleveland State (13)Second round
2010Butler (5) Nat'l Runner-UpGreen Bay (3)Second round
2011Butler (8) Nat'l Runner-UpCleveland State (2)Second round
Milwaukee (5)First round
2012Detroit (15) First roundCleveland State (6) First roundButler Semifinals
Valparaiso (7)First roundMilwaukeeFirst round
2013Valparaiso (14)First roundDetroit (6) First roundWright State Semifinals
2014Milwaukee (15)First roundGreen Bay (4)First round
2015Valparaiso (13) First roundGreen Bay (5) First round
2016Green Bay (14) First roundValparaiso (1) Runner-Up
2017Northern Kentucky (15) First roundOakland (7)Second roundGreen BayFirst round
Valparaiso (7)First roundUICFirst round
2018Wright State (13) First roundNorthern Kentucky (7) First round
2019Northern Kentucky (14) First roundWright State (7) First round
2020Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Cleveland State (15) First round
2022Wright State (16)First roundCleveland State (7)First roundPurdue Fort Wayne (16)First round
2023Northern Kentucky (16)First roundYoungstown State (8)First roundCleveland State (9)First round
Milwaukee (11)Quarterfinals

Defunct tournaments

SeasonCollegeInsider.com Postseason TournamentVegas 16The Basketball Classic
TeamFinishTeamFinishTeamFinish
2009Tournament
not
held
Tournament
not
held
2010
2011ValparaisoFirst round
2012
2013Youngstown StateSecond round
UICSecond round
Green BayFirst round
2014Valparaiso First round
Wright StateSecond round
Cleveland StateFirst round
2015Cleveland StateSecond round
OaklandFirst round
2016OaklandRunner-Up
2017Tournament
not
held
2018UICRunner-Up
2019Green BayRunner-Up
2020Tournament
not
held
2021
2022Detroit MercyFirst round
Youngstown StateQuarterfinals

Broadcasters

Television

YearNetworkPlay-by-playAnalyst
2024ESPNJordan BernfieldDavid Padgett
2023Mark Adams
2022Bob Wischusen
2021Jason BenettiChris Spatola
2020Dan Dakich
2019Rich HollenbergFran Fraschilla
2018
2017Bob Wischusen
2016Mike TiricoDan Dakich
2015Bob WischusenJim Calhoun
2014Malcolm Huckaby
2013[9] Stephen Bardo
2012[10] Mark Jones
2011[11] Bob Wischusen
2010[12] Jon SciambiLaPhonso Ellis
2009[13] Ron FranklinFran Fraschilla
2008[14] Terry GannonStephen Bardo
2007[15]
2006[16] Dave BarnettTim McCormick and Jason Williams
2005[17] Dave StraderStephen Bardo
2004[18] Dave RevsineBob Valvano
2003[19]

Radio

YearNetworkPlay-by-playAnalyst
2013Westwood OneWayne LarriveeWill Perdue
2012 [20] Dave RyanPete Gillen
2011[21] Wayne Larrivee
2010[22]
2009[23] Mark Champion

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Moving Horizon League tourney to Detroit is all about branding. The Detroit News. MediaNews Group. 8 May 2015. May 7, 2015.
  2. Web site: Tony. Paul. Motor City 'Sadness': Horizon League pulls plug on hoops tourneys in Detroit. The Detroit News. January 25, 2019. February 20, 2019.
  3. Web site: Moving Horizon League tourney to Detroit is all about branding. Tony. Paul. The Detroit News. May 8, 2015. May 7, 2015.
  4. Web site: Bill. Potter. Horizon League Announces 2017 Little Caesars Motor City Madness Updates. Horizon League. July 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170120151047/http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/horizon-league-announces-2017-little-caesars-motor-city-madness-updates. January 20, 2017. March 13, 2019.
  5. Web site: Tony. Paul. 'Beyond compare': Horizon League commish raves about four-year run in Detroit. The Detroit News. March 13, 2019. March 13, 2019.
  6. Horizon League Announces Bid Process for #HLMBB and #HLWBB Tournament . Horizon League . October 12, 2018 . February 27, 2019.
  7. Horizon League Announces Indianapolis as Future Site for #HLMBB and #HLWBB Championships . Horizon League . January 25, 2019 . February 27, 2019.
  8. Indianapolis to Remain Home of Horizon League Basketball Championships as HL and ISFC Extend Partnership. Horizon League. September 20, 2022. November 11, 2022.
  9. Web site: Championship Week Presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods Schedule - ESPN Press Room U.S.. 4 March 2013.
  10. Web site: Championship Week: Coverage of a Record 137 Men's Games Begins March 1 | ESPN MediaZone . 2012-02-29 . dead . https://archive.today/20120301005847/http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2012/02/27/championship-week-coverage-of-a-record-137-men%E2%80%99s-games-begins-march-1/ . 2012-03-01 .
  11. http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2011/02/28/championship-week-presented-by-dick%e2%80%99s-sporting-goods-schedule/?s-sporting-goods-schedule/
  12. Web site: Championship Week Begins Thursday, March 4 | ESPN MediaZone . Espnmediazone3.com . 2010-03-02 . 2010-12-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100412122753/http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2010/03/championship-week-begins-thursday-march-4/ . 2010-04-12 .
  13. Web site: ESPN Press Room. www.espnmediazone.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20090307005937/http://www.espnmediazone.com/press_releases/2009_02_feb/20090226_ChampionshipWeekBeginsMarch5.htm . March 7, 2009.
  14. Web site: Vikings Face Butler In Horizon League Title Game - CLEVELAND STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE . Csuvikings.cstv.com . 2010-12-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080327215927/http://csuvikings.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031008aaa.html . 2008-03-27 . dead .
  15. Web site: What to Watch: College basketball lovers rejoice. www.mysanantonio.com . https://archive.today/20090207080430/http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/MYSA03022007_whattowatch_11f571e4_html9032.html . February 7, 2009.
  16. Web site: Milwaukee Athletics - Men's Basketball . Uwmpanthers.cstv.com . 2010-12-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212628/http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030606aaa.html . 2011-07-08 .
  17. Web site: Milwaukee Athletics - Men's Basketball . Uwmpanthers.cstv.com . 2010-12-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212634/http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030705aab.html . 2011-07-08 .
  18. Web site: Milwaukee Athletics - Men's Basketball . Uwmpanthers.cstv.com . 2010-12-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212639/http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030804aaa.html . 2011-07-08 .
  19. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wiml/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/champnotes.pdf
  20. Web site: Horizon League Championship Highlights: Detroit 70 – Valparaiso 50 | Westwood One SportsWestwood One Sports . 2019-08-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064059/http://dialglobalsports.com/2012/03/horizon-league-championship-highlights-detroit-68-valparaiso-50/ . 2016-03-04 . dead .
  21. Web site: We've Moved! .
  22. http://the506.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1267859867;start=all
  23. http://images.westwoodone.com/images/pdf/pressreleases/2009NCAAChampionshipWeek.pdf