The Summit League holds an annual men’s basketball tournament with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The conference features nine teams: Denver, North Dakota, North Dakota State, Omaha, Oral Roberts, Purdue Fort Wayne, South Dakota, South Dakota State and Western Illinois.

The Summit League conference tournament begins March 7 and runs through March 10.

The conference began its tournament in 1984. It was known as the Mid-Continent Conference from 1982 to 2007.

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Read the list of past champions below.

2020: NORTH DAKOTA STATE

North Dakota State won its second straight Summit League title in 2020. They defeated North Dakota, 89-53. Vince Shahid was named tournament MVP for a second time.

2019: NORTH DAKOTA STATE

North Dakota State got back to the NCAA Tournament in 2019. The Bison defeated Omaha, 73-63. Vinnie Shahid was named tournament MVP.

2018: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

South Dakota State won its fifth title in seven years in 2018. They defeated South Dakota, 97-87 – the most points scored in a championship game. Mike Daum won his third MVP trophy.

2017: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

South Dakota State picked up the Summit title again in 2017. The Jackrabbits defeated Omaha, 79-77. Mike Daum repeated as MVP.

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2016: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

South Dakota State won its third title in 2016. They defeated North Dakota, 67-59. Mike Daum was named the tournament’s MVP.

2015: NORTH DAKOTA STATE

North Dakota State won the Summit again in 2015. The Bison defeated South Dakota State, 57-56. Lawrence Alexander won MVP of the tournament.

2014: NORTH DAKOTA STATE

North Dakota State won its first title since 2009. They defeated Purdue Fort Wayne, 60-57. Taylor Braun was named MVP of the tournament.

2013: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

South Dakota State repeated as champions in 2013. The Jackrabbits defeated North Dakota State, 73-67. Nate Wolters was named MVP.

2012: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

South Dakota State won its first Summit League title in 2012. They defeated Western Illinois, 52-50. Nate Wolters was named MVP.

2011: OAKLAND

Oakland repeated as champions in 2011. They defeated Oral Roberts, 90-76. Keith Benson was named tournament MVP.

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2010: OAKLAND

Oakland finally got back to the champions’ stage in 2010, 76-64, over Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Derick Nelson was named MVP.

2009: NORTH DAKOTA STATE

North Dakota State captured its first title in 2009. The Bison defeated Oakland, 66-64. Ben Woodside was named MVP.

2008: ORAL ROBERTS

Oral Roberts won the first Summit League title in 2008. They defeated IUPUI, 71-64. Moses Ehambe was named tournament MVP.

2007: ORAL ROBERTS

Oral Roberts got its revenge on Oakland in 2007. The Golden Eagles won, 71-67. Ken Tutt won back-to-back MVPs.

2006: ORAL ROBERTS

Oral Roberts won its first conference title in 2006 over Chicago State, 85-72. Ken Tutt was named MVP.

2005: OAKLAND

It was the first time in a decade that Valparaiso wasn’t in the conference final. Oakland got the win in this game over Oral Roberts, 61-60. Rawle Marshall was named MVP.

2004: VALPARAISO

Valparaiso’s 10th straight appearance was a victory in 2004 over IUPUI. They won the title game, 75-70. Odell Bradley, of IUPUI, was named MVP.

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2003: IUPUI

IUPUI got its revenge win over Valparaiso in 2003, 75-70. Josh Murray was named the MVP of the tournament.

2002: VALPARAISO

Valparaiso won its seventh title in eight years. The Crusaders knocked off IUPUI, 88-55. Milo Stovall was the tournament’s MVP.

2001: SOUTHERN UTAH

Southern Utah knocked Valparaiso off its throne in 2001. They defeated the Crusaders, 62-59. Fred House was named the MVP.

2000: VALPARAISO

It was six straight for Valparaiso as they defeated Southern Utah in 2000, 71-62. Lubos Barton was named MVP of the tournament.

1999: VALPARAISO

Valparaiso won again in 1999. The Crusaders defeated Oral Roberts, 73-69. Milo Stovall won the tournament MVP award.

1998: VALPARAISO

Valparaiso defeated Youngstown State, 67-48. It was the Crusaders’ fourth title. Bryce Drew won his third MVP tournament.

1997: VALPARAISO

It was a three-peat for Valparaiso in 1997. The Crusaders again won at the expense of Western Illinois, 63-59. Janthony Joseph, of Western Illinois, was named tournament MVP.

1996: VALPARAISO

Valparaiso won its second title in 1996. The Crusaders topped Western Illinois, 75-52. Bryce Drew was named MVP for the tournament again.

1995: VALPARAISO

Valparaiso started its tear through the Mid-Continent Conference in 1995. The Crusaders defeated Western Illinois, 88-85 in three overtimes. Bryce Drew was named in tournament MVP.

1994: GREEN BAY

Green Bay would dash Illinois-Chicago’s hopes again. They defeated the Flames, 61-56. Sherell Ford, of Illinois-Chicago, was named in the MVP.

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1993: WRIGHT STATE

Wright State defeated Illinois-Chicago in 1993. Bill Edwards was named tournament MVP.

1992: EASTERN ILLINOIS

Eastern Illinois won its second MCC title in 1992. The Panthers defeated Illinois-Chicago, 83-68. Steve Rowe was named MVP.

1991: GREEN BAY

Green Bay won the conference title in 1991. They defeated Northern Illinois, 56-39. Tony Bennett, who later led Virginia to a national title as a coach, was named MVP of the tournament.

1990: NORTHERN IOWA

Northern Iowa won its first MCC title in 1990. The Panthers defeated Green Bay, 53-45. Jason Reese was named MVP.

1989: SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STATE

Southwest Missouri State won its second MCC title. They defeated Illinois-Chicago, 73-67. Hubert Henderson was named MVP.

1988: NOT HELD

1987: SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STATE

Southwest Missouri State held off Cleveland State, 90-87. Winston Garland was named MVP.

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1986: CLEVELAND STATE

Cleveland State defeated Eastern Illinois, 70-66. Future NBA star Kevin Duckworth, of Eastern Illinois, was named MVP.

1985: EASTERN ILLINOIS

Eastern Illinois won the title in 1985, 74-64, over Southwest Missouri State. No MVP was chosen.

1984: WESTERN ILLINOIS

Western Illinois won the first Mid-Continent Conference tournament title in 1984. They defeated Cleveland State, 73-64. Todd Hutcheson was awarded the MVP.