1986 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament

The 1986 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament was played after the conclusion of the 1985–1986 regular season at the Tulsa Convention Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1986 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament
Classification	Division I
Season	1985–86
Teams	8
Site	Tulsa Convention Center Tulsa, Oklahoma
Champions	Tulsa (3rd title)
Winning coach	J. D. Barnett (1st title)
MVP	Brian Rahilly (Tulsa)
Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournaments

1985–86 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		PCT			W		L		PCT
No. 14 Bradley	16	–	0		1.000			32	–	3		.914
Tulsa †	10	–	6		.625			23	–	9		.719
Drake	10	–	6		.625			19	–	11		.633
Illinois State	9	–	7		.563			15	–	14		.517
Wichita State	7	–	9		.438			14	–	14		.500
Creighton	7	–	9		.438			12	–	16		.429
Indiana State	7	–	9		.438			11	–	17		.393
West Texas State	4	–	12		.250			11	–	17		.393
Southern Illinois	4	–	12		.250			8	–	20		.286
† 1986 MVC tournament winner Rankings from AP Poll

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane defeated the ninth ranked Bradley Braves, 74-58, in the championship game and as a result won their 3rd MVC Tournament title to earn an automatic bid to the 1986 NCAA tournament.

Bracket

	Quarterfinals March 4, 1986					Semifinals March 5, 1986					Final March 6, 1986
	1	No. 9 Bradley	61
	8	West Texas State	55
						1	No. 9 Bradley	65
						4	Illinois State	64
	4	Illinois State	78
	5	Wichita State	70
											1	No. 9 Bradley	58
											2	Tulsa	74
	2	Tulsa	68
	7	Indiana State	50
						2	Tulsa	68
						3	Drake	67
	3	Drake	82
	6	Creighton	56