Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament: A History of Excitement and Tradition

The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) basketball tournament is a premier event in the college sports calendar, with a rich history dating back to 1907. The tournament's winner receives the MVC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, making it a highly coveted prize for participating teams.

One of the most memorable moments in MVC tournament history came in 2013, when the championship game was televised on CBS and held at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri, from March 7-10. The event has undergone significant changes over the years to ensure the health and safety of fans, players, and staff.

In recent years, the MVC tournament has implemented new guidelines and procedures to adapt to changing circumstances. For instance, the 2020 men's basketball tournament will feature a reduced seating capacity at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, with only 1,400 socially distanced seats available in the lower bowl. All tickets for this year's event will be digital and available on guests' mobile devices.

The MVC Women's Basketball Tournament, also known as 'Hoops in the Heartland,' will take place at Vibrant Arena from March 9-12, 2023, while the State Farm MVC Tournament, affectionately referred to as 'Arch Madness' by Valley fans, will be held at Enterprise Center from Thursday-Sunday, March 4-7, 2021.

This year's tournament schedule is a response to health and safety protocols, with all nine games treated as separate sessions. Mobile ticketing will enable no-touch scanning of tickets at entry, and the facility will be cleared of fans after each contest to allow for disinfecting and sanitization prior to the next game.

The Missouri Valley Conference has a long history of producing talented basketball teams, and this year's tournament promises to be an exciting event. With its rich tradition, competitive teams, and dedication to health and safety protocols, the MVC basketball tournament is a must-watch for fans of college hoops.

Missouri valley conference basketball tournament