The 1988 Southland Conference men's basketball tournament was held March 8–10, 1988 with quarterfinal matchups being held at the home arena of the higher seed and the semifinals and championship game played at UNT Coliseum in Denton, Texas.
[1] North Texas State defeated Northeast Louisiana in the championship game, 87–70, to win their first Southland men's basketball tournament.
New conference members Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin did not participate.
First round games were played at the home court of the higher-seeded team.
All remaining games were played at UNT Coliseum in Denton, Texas.