Horizon League men's basketball tournament
| Horizon League Men's Basketball Tournament | |
|---|---|
| Sport | College basketball |
| Conference | Horizon League |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Format | Single-elimination tournament |
| Current stadium | Little Caesars Arena (beginning in 2018) |
| Current location | Detroit, Michigan |
| Played | 1980–present |
| Last contest | 2017 |
| Current champion | Northern Kentucky Norse |
| Most championships | Butler Bulldogs (7) |
| TV partner(s) | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNU |
The Horizon League men's basketball 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".
On May 7, 2015, the conference announced that the entire men's tournament would be held in Detroit beginning in 2016 under a five-year deal with the women joining the fold in 2017. The Little Caesars Horizon League Men's & Women's Basketball Championship uses the name Motor City Madness. It was held at Joe Louis Arena in 2016 and 2017, and will move to Little Caesars Arena beginning in 2018.[1]
In its first year, Motor City Madness drew 20,908 fans over four sessions, which is the seventh-highest per session average among the non-FBS conferences with a neutral site tournament. In the second year, the tournament drew 29,240 fans over five sessions.
Horizon League Tournament Championship Game records
| Team | Championships | Years | Runners up | Years | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | 7 | 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2010, 2011 | 6 | 1992, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009 | 7–6 (.538) |
| Xavier | 6 | 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991 | 4 | 1981, 1984, 1990, 1993 | 6–4 (.600) |
| Milwaukee | 4 | 2003, 2005, 2006, 2014 | 3 | 2004, 2011, 2017 | 4–3 (.571) |
| Evansville | 3 | 1982, 1992, 1993 | 2 | 1989, 1994 | 3–2 (.600) |
| Detroit | 3 | 1994, 1999, 2012 | 5 | 1988, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2005 | 3–5 (.375) |
| Oral Roberts | 2 | 1980, 1984 | 1 | 1985 | 2–1 (.667) |
| UIC | 2 | 2002, 2004 | 1 | 1997 | 2–1 (.667) |
| Valparaiso | 2 | 2013, 2015 | 1 | 2012 | 2–1 (.667) |
| Green Bay | 2 | 1995, 2016 | 2 | 1998, 2015 | 2–2 (.500) |
| Loyola | 1 | 1985 | 4 | 1980, 1982, 1983, 2002 | 1–4 (.200) |
| Wright State | 1 | 2007 | 5 | 1995, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016 | 1–5 (.167) |
| Cleveland State | 1 | 2009 | 1 | 2008 | 1–1 (.500) |
| Dayton | 1 | 1990 | 0 | – | 1–0 (1.000) |
| Northern Illinois | 1 | 1996 | 0 | – | 1–0 (1.000) |
| Northern Kentucky | 1 | 2017 | 0 | – | 1–0 (1.000) |
| Oklahoma City | 1 | 1981 | 0 | – | 1–0 (1.000) |
| Saint Louis | 0 | – | 3 | 1986, 1987, 1991 | 0–3 (.000) |
| Duquesne | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0–0 (–) |
| La Salle | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0–0 (–) |
| Marquette | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0–0 (–) |
| Oakland | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0–0 (–) |
| Youngstown State | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0–0 (–) |
- Notes
- Current conference members in bold.
Horizon League Tournament all-time standings
Current members
- Through 2017 tournament championship
| School | Record | Winning pct | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 31–33 | .484 | 3 |
| Green Bay | 21–20 | .512 | 2 |
| Milwaukee | 20–16 | .556 | 4 |
| UIC | 20–20 | .500 | 2 |
| Wright State | 20–21 | .488 | 1 |
| Cleveland State | 12–20 | .375 | 1 |
| Valparaiso | 8–6 | .571 | 2 |
| Youngstown State | 5–16 | .238 | 0 |
| Northern Kentucky | 3–1 | .750 | 1 |
| Oakland | 1–4 | .200 | 0 |
Former members
| School | Record | Winning pct | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | 30–25 | .545 | 7 |
| Loyola | 25–32 | .439 | 1 |
| Xavier | 24–10 | .706 | 6 |
| Evansville | 15–12 | .556 | 3 |
| Oral Roberts | 7–6 | .538 | 2 |
| Saint Louis | 7–8 | .467 | 0 |
| Northern Illinois | 5–2 | .714 | 1 |
| Dayton | 5–4 | .556 | 1 |
| Oklahoma City | 5–4 | .556 | 1 |
| Duquesne | 1–1 | .500 | 0 |
| Marquette | 0–2 | .000 | 0 |
| La Salle | 0–3 | .000 | 0 |
Horizon League Tournament results
| Year | Champion | Seed | Score | Runner-up | Seed | Tournament MVP | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Oral Roberts | 2 | 103–93 | Loyola | 1 | Calvin Garrett, Oral Roberts | Roberts Municipal Stadium – Evansville, IN |
| 1981 | Oklahoma City | 3 | 82–76 | Xavier | 1 | Anthony Hicks, Xavier | Opening round: campus locations Semifinals: Frederickson Fieldhouse – Oklahoma City, OK Championship: Riverfront Coliseum – Cincinnati, OH |
| 1982 | Evansville | 1 | 81–72 | Loyola | 3 | Brad Leaf, Evansville | Mabee Center – Tulsa, OK |
| 1983 | Xavier | 2 | 82–76 | Loyola | 1 | Alfredrick Hughes, Loyola | Roberts Municipal Stadium – Evansville, IN |
| 1984 | Oral Roberts | 1 | 82–76 | Xavier | 3 | Sam Potter, Oral Roberts | UIC Pavilion – Chicago, IL |
| 1985 | Loyola | 1 | 89–83 | Oral Roberts | 3 | Alfredrick Hughes, Loyola | Mabee Center – Tulsa, OK |
| 1986 | Xavier | 1 | 74–66 | Saint Louis | 2 | Byron Larkin, Xavier | Market Square Arena – Indianapolis, IN |
| 1987 | Xavier | 3 | 81–69 | Saint Louis | 4 | Byron Larkin, Xavier | Market Square Arena – Indianapolis, IN |
| 1988 | Xavier | 1 | 122–96 | Detroit | 6 | Byron Larkin, Xavier | Market Square Arena – Indianapolis, IN |
| 1989 | Xavier | 3 | 85–78 | Evansville | 1 | Tyrone Hill, Xavier | University of Dayton Arena – Dayton, OH |
| 1990 | Dayton | 2 | 98–89 | Xavier | 1 | Negele Knight, Dayton | University of Dayton Arena – Dayton, OH |
| 1991 | Xavier | 1 | 81–68 | Saint Louis | 3 | Jamie Gladden, Xavier | University of Dayton Arena – Dayton, OH |
| 1992 | Evansville | 2 | 95–76 | Butler | 3 | Parrish Casebier, Evansville | Riverfront Coliseum – Cincinnati, OH |
| 1993 | Evansville | 2 | 80–69 | Xavier | 1 | Parrish Casebier, Evansville | Market Square Arena – Indianapolis, IN |
| 1994 | Detroit | 4 | 72–63 | Evansville | 2 | Andy Elkins, Evansville | Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN |
| 1995 | Green Bay | 3 | 73–59 | Wright State | 8 | Jeff Nordgaard, Green Bay | Nutter Center – Dayton, OH |
| 1996 | Northern Illinois | 3 | 84–63 | Detroit | 5 | Chris Coleman, Northern Illinois | Nutter Center – Dayton, OH |
| 1997 | Butler | 1 | 69–68 | UIC | 3 | Kelsey Wilson, Butler | Nutter Center – Dayton, OH |
| 1998 | Butler | 3 | 70–51 | Green Bay | 4 | Jon Neuhouser, Butler | Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena – Green Bay, WI |
| 1999 | Detroit | 1 | 72–65 | Butler | 2 | Rashad Phillips, Detroit | UIC Pavilion – Chicago, IL |
| 2000 | Butler | 1 | 62–43 | Detroit | 3 | Mike Marshall, Butler | UIC Pavilion – Chicago, IL |
| 2001 | Butler | 1 | 53–38 | Detroit | 2 | LaVall Jordan, Butler | Nutter Center – Dayton, OH |
| 2002 | UIC | 6 | 76–75 (OT) | Loyola | 5 | Cedrick Banks, UIC | CSU Convocation Center – Cleveland, OH |
| 2003 | Milwaukee | 2 | 69–52 | Butler | 1 | Clay Tucker, Milwaukee | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: U.S. Cellular Arena – Milwaukee, WI |
| 2004 | UIC | 2 | 65–62 | Milwaukee | 1 | Armond Williams, UIC | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals: Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN Championship: U.S. Cellular Arena – Milwaukee, WI |
| 2005 | Milwaukee | 1 | 59–58 | Detroit | 3 | Joah Tucker, Milwaukee | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: U.S. Cellular Arena – Milwaukee, WI |
| 2006 | Milwaukee | 1 | 87–71 | Butler | 2 | Adrian Tigert, Milwaukee | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: U.S. Cellular Arena – Milwaukee, WI |
| 2007 | Wright State | 1 | 60–55 | Butler | 2 | DaShaun Wood, Wright State | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Nutter Center – Dayton, OH |
| 2008 | Butler | 1 | 70–55 | Cleveland State | 2 | Mike Green, Butler | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN |
| 2009 | Cleveland State | 3 | 57–54 | Butler | 1 | Cedric Jackson, Cleveland State | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN |
| 2010 | Butler | 1 | 70–45 | Wright State | 2 | Matt Howard, Butler | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN |
| 2011 | Butler | 2 | 59–44 | Milwaukee | 1 | Matt Howard, Butler | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: U.S. Cellular Arena – Milwaukee, WI |
| 2012 | Detroit | 3 | 70–50 | Valparaiso | 1 | Ray McCallum, Jr., Detroit | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Athletics–Recreation Center – Valparaiso, IN |
| 2013 | Valparaiso | 1 | 62–54 | Wright State | 3 | Erik Buggs, Valparaiso | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Athletics–Recreation Center – Valparaiso, IN |
| 2014 | Milwaukee | 5 | 69–63 | Wright State | 3 | Jordan Aaron, Milwaukee | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals: Resch Center – Green Bay, WI Championship: Nutter Center – Dayton, OH |
| 2015 | Valparaiso | 1 | 54–44 | Green Bay | 2 | Alec Peters, Valparaiso | Opening round: campus locations Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship: Athletics–Recreation Center – Valparaiso, IN |
| 2016 | Green Bay | 4 | 78–69 | Wright State | 3 | Jordan Fouse, Green Bay | Joe Louis Arena – Detroit, MI |
| 2017 | Northern Kentucky | 4 | 59–53 | Milwaukee | 10 | Lavone Holland II, Northern Kentucky | Joe Louis Arena – Detroit, MI |
Post-season success
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.
Championships and post-season appearances
| Season | Season champion (league record) |
NCAA bids (seed), advancement |
NIT bids (seed), advancement |
CBI bids (seed), advancement |
CIT bids (seed), advancement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Loyola (5–0) | - | Loyola | Tournament not held |
Tournament not held |
| 1981 | Xavier (8–3) | - | - | ||
| 1982 | Evansville (10–2) | Evansville (10) | Oral Roberts | ||
| 1983 | Loyola (12–2) | Xavier (12) | - | ||
| 1984 | Oral Roberts (11–3) | Oral Roberts (11) | Xavier, Quarterfinals | ||
| 1985 | Loyola (13–1) | Loyola (4), Sweet 16 | Butler | ||
| 1986 | Xavier (10–2) | Xavier (12) | - | ||
| 1987 | Evansville (8–4) Loyola (8-4) |
Xavier (13), 2nd rnd | St. Louis, 2nd rnd | ||
| 1988 | Xavier (9–1) | Xavier (11) | Evansville | ||
| 1989 | Evansville (10–2) | Evansville (11), 2nd rnd Xavier (14) |
St. Louis, Championship game | ||
| 1990 | Xavier (12–2) | Xavier (6), Sweet 16 Dayton (12), 2nd rnd |
St. Louis, Championship game Marquette | ||
| 1991 | Xavier (11–3) | Xavier (14), 2nd rnd | Butler | ||
| 1992 | Evansville (8–2) | Evansville (8) | Butler | ||
| 1993 | Evansville (12–2) Xavier (12–2) |
Xavier (9), 2nd rnd Evansville (14) |
- | ||
| 1994 | Xavier (8–2) | - | Xavier, Quarterfinals Evansville | ||
| 1995 | Xavier (14–0) | Green Bay (11) Xavier (14) |
- | ||
| 1996 | Green Bay (16–0) | Green Bay (8) Northern Illinois (14) |
- | ||
| 1997 | Butler (12–4) | Butler (14) | - | ||
| 1998 | Detroit (12–2) UIC (12–2) |
UIC (9) Detroit (10), 2nd rnd Butler (13) |
- | ||
| 1999 | Detroit (12–2) | Detroit (12), 2nd rnd | Butler, Quarterfinals | ||
| 2000 | Butler (12–2) | Butler (12) | - | ||
| 2001 | Butler (11–3) | Butler (10), 2nd rnd | Detroit, Semifinals | ||
| 2002 | Butler (12–4) | UIC (15) | Butler, 2nd rnd Detroit | ||
| 2003 | Butler (14–2) | Butler (12), Sweet 16 Milwaukee (12) |
UIC | ||
| 2004 | Milwaukee (13–3) | UIC (13) | Milwaukee | ||
| 2005 | Milwaukee (14–2) | Milwaukee (12), Sweet 16 | - | ||
| 2006 | Milwaukee (12–4) | Milwaukee (11), 2nd rnd | Butler (8) | ||
| 2007 | Butler (13–3) Wright State (13–3) |
Butler (5), Sweet 16 Wright State (14) |
- | ||
| 2008 | Butler (16–2) | Butler (7), 2nd rnd | Cleveland State (6) | Valparaiso (4), 2nd rnd | |
| 2009 | Butler (15–3) | Butler (9) Cleveland State (13), 2nd rnd |
- | Green Bay (2) | - |
| 2010 | Butler (18–0) | Butler (5), Nat'l Runner-Up | - | Green Bay (3), 2nd rnd | - |
| 2011 | Butler (13–5) Cleveland State (13–5) Milwaukee (13–5) |
Butler (8), Nat'l Runner-Up | Cleveland State (2), 2nd rnd Milwaukee (5) |
- | Valparaiso |
| 2012 | Valparaiso (14–4) | Detroit (15; 61 overall) | Cleveland State (6) Valparaiso (7) |
Butler, 3rd rnd (semi-final) Milwaukee |
- |
| 2013 | Valparaiso (13–3) | Valparaiso (14; 56 overall) | Detroit (6) | Wright State, 3rd rnd (semi-final) | Youngstown State, 2nd rnd UIC, 2nd rnd Green Bay |
| 2014 | Green Bay (14–2) | Milwaukee (15; 60 overall) | Green Bay (4) | - | Valparaiso Wright State, 2nd rnd Cleveland State |
| 2015 | Valparaiso (13–3) | Valparaiso (13; 51 overall) | Green Bay (5) | - | Cleveland State 2nd rnd Oakland |
| 2016 | Valparaiso (16–2) | Green Bay (14; 55 overall) | Valparaiso (1), Championship game | - | - |
| 2017 | Oakland (14-4) Valparaiso (14–4) |
Northern Kentucky (15; 59 overall) | Oakland (7), 2nd rnd Valparaiso (7) |
Green Bay UIC |
- |
See also
Notes
- ^ "Moving Horizon League tourney to Detroit is all about branding". Detroit News. Digital First Media. May 7, 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.