Your Complete Guide to the 2023 OVC Basketball Tournament in Evansville

The regular season for the men's and women's basketball teams of the Ohio Valley Conference wraps up on Saturday, February 25th. For some of those teams, it will be the final game of their season. For the others, they'll begin preparations for the conference tournament which will once again be held at the Ford Center in downtown Evansville. Winning it means an automatic bid into their respective NCAA tournament while not winning it likely means the end of their season. What it means for you is four days of what should be great basketball games. Regardless of whether you're a fan of one particular team or just a fan of basketball in general, here's everything you need to know before you head to the arena to take in all the action.

When is the 2023 Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Tournament

This year's tournament will take place from Wednesday, March 1st through Saturday, March 4th, and will feature a combined total of 14 games.

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Where is the 2023 Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Tournament

The tournament will once again be held at the Ford Center in downtown Evansville located at 1 SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Evansville, IN 47708.

Which Teams are Playing in the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Tournament

As of this writing, the teams that will compete have yet to be officially determined. That will be finalized once the regular season is finished. What we do know is the top eight teams based on conference winning percentage will be participating. If the season were to end today (Tuesday, February 21st), those teams would be:

Women

• Little Rock
• Eastern Illinois
• Tennessee Tech
• Southeast Missouri
• Tennessee State
• University of Tennessee-Martin
• Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
• Morehead State

Men

• Morehead State
• University of Tennessee-Martin
• Southeast Missouri
• Tennessee State
• Tennessee Tech
• Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
• University of Southern Indiana
• Eastern Illinois

2023 OVC Tournament Game Schedule

All Times Listed are Central Standard Time

Wednesday, March 1st

• Women
  • Game 1: 1:00 PM - #5 Seed vs. #8 Seed
  • Game 2: 3:30 PM - #6 Seed vs. #7 Seed
• Men
  • Game 1: 6:30 PM - #5 Seed vs. #8 Seed
  • Game 2: 9:00 PM - #6 Seed vs. #7 Seed

Thursday, March 2nd

• Women
  • Game 3: 1:00 PM - Winner of Game 1 vs. #4 Seed
  • Game 4: 3:30 PM - Winner of Game 2 vs. #3 Seed
• Men
  • Game 3: 6:30 PM - Winner of Game 1 vs. #4 Seed
  • Game 4: 9:00 PM - Winner of Game 2 vs. #3 Seed

Friday, March 3rd

• Women
  • Game 5: 1:00 PM - Winner of Game 3 vs. #1 Seed
  • Game 6: 3:30 PM - Winner of Game 4 vs. #2 Seed
• Men
  • Game 5: 6:30 PM - Winner of Game 3 vs. #1 Seed
  • Game 6: 9:00 PM - Winner of Game 4 vs. #2 Seed

Saturday, March 4th

• Women
  • Championship Game: 2:00 PM - Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner
• Men
  • Championship Game: 7:00 PM - Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner

2023 Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Tickets

Tickets are sold by sessions with two games equaling one session. The exception to that will be the two championship games on Saturday. For example, games one and two of the women's tournament are a session, and games one and two of the men's tournament are a session. If you want to attend all four on a given day, you'll have to buy two sets of tickets. One for the women's session and one for the men's. For the championship games, you'll have to purchase tickets for each game.

Women's Tickets

Tickets for all women's games, including the championship game on Saturday, are $13.00 each, plus an additional $13.00 in taxes and fees (a $6.50 Service Fee, a $2.00 Facility Charge, and a $4.50 Order Processing Fee) for a grand total of $26.00 per ticket.

All women's tournament session tickets are general admission.

Men's Tickets

Tickets for all men's games, including the championship game on Saturday, are $28.00 each, plus an additional $14.15 in taxes and fees (a $7.65 Service Fee, a $2.00 Facility Charge, and a $4.50 Order Processing Fee) for a grand total of $42.15 per ticket.

All men's tournament session tickets are reserved seating.

Ford Center Parking

Click each location for a map.

Parking Garages

• Third Street - $7
• Locust Street
• Sycamore Street - $7
• DoubleTree by Hilton
• Deaconess Clinic
• Fifth Third Bank
• Old National Bank

Parking Lots

• Stone Family Center (located next to the Ford Center) - $10
• Civic Center Parking Lot
• Multiple other lots will be available around the Ford Center. Fees vary by location.

Ford Center Bag Policy

Like many, if not all, stadiums and arenas, the Ford Center has had a clear bag policy in place for several years. If you walk up to the doors of the Ford Center with one of the non-approved bags listed in the graphic below, Ford Center staff will not let you past those doors. You'll have to walk back to your vehicle and leave your bag there before you'll be allowed inside.

Click the graphic for a larger version.

Ford Center COVID-19 Policy

With the worst of the pandemic seemingly behind us, and life returning to pre-pandemic normal for the most part, while you are certainly free to wear a mask if it makes you more comfortable, the Ford Center does not require one, nor will you need to show proof of a negative COVID test, or present a vaccination card in order to be admitted.

Best of luck to all the teams competing, and enjoy the tournament.

[Sources: OVC Sports / Ticketmaster / Ford Center]