Crown Basketball Tournament

[The Sultan]

So this new tournament, where the BE, B12 and B10 are contractually required to send two teams, looks like it's going to be a disaster. Indiana has already said they're not going. My guess is Villanova has no interest because of the coaching search.

So does this mean that they are going to be sending Butler, Providence, Rutgers, Washington, etc out to Vegas for a week long tournament that doesn't start for two weeks? Who is going to watch this and who's going to want to even play in it?

[CountryRoads]

Not to mention the opt outs for players that don't want to play or who are intending to enter the portal. Just not a lot of thought put into it.

Can't quite remember the specifics, but Coach Cal mentioned something a while ago about how an exhibition summer game/tournament would draw a lot of interest. Logistics could be tough, but I think that if this Crown tournament in Vegas was played as an exhibition in the summer with the new rosters, it'd be a lot more interesting if they could make it work. College exhibition games can be cool. Heck I was on the edge of my seat when Ellenson, The Engine and co were playing that team from Iceland years ago in the summer.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I thought the teams from the three conferences contractually could not turn down? 

[tower912]

Marshall turned down a nothing bowl because their coach left and half the roster entered the portal.    This was fairly predictable.

[The Sultan]

I thought the teams from the three conferences contractually could not turn down? 

Or else? My guess is that Fox and the B10 will cut IU's share somehow, but it's not like they can force a lame duck coach and players who are likely eyeing the portal to play.

[rocky_warrior]

Yeah, I get that Fox wanted to get some revenue since CBS/TBS (NCAA) and ESPN (NIT) are cashing in on madness, but I can't imagine this turns out better than the original "Vegas 16".

[Mr. Nielsen]

https://x.com/BracketNky/status/1901630897520103600

[cheebs09]

If this isn't a part of the Fox intro, then it's doomed before the first game tips.

[The Sultan]

https://x.com/BracketNky/status/1901630897520103600

So a bunch of bad power conference teams...and George Washington.

Anyway, suprised Nova is in this. Wonder who will coach them?

[rocky_warrior]

Non-X bracket...



Did Boise State really not get invited to the NIT?  Or did they turn it down?  Answered my own question:

https://www.bronconationnews.com/boise-state-basketball-to-compete-in-new-college-basketball-crown-postseason-tournament-in-las-vegas/

The Broncos passed on hosting games in the NIT to participate in the Crown after not being picked for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday evening. The Broncos were the "fourth team out" of the Big Dance, according to the committee.

[Ardmore Mug]

Nova turned down the invite ! ! ! 

[Viper]

If this isn't a part of the Fox intro, then it's doomed before the first game tips.

perfect!

[Mr. Nielsen]

So a bunch of bad power conference teams...and George Washington.

Anyway, suprised Nova is in this. Wonder who will coach them?

Not at all. Since, Nova said Assistant Coach Mike Nardi will be the interim.

[cheebs09]

Not at all. Since, Nova said Assistant Coach Mike Nardi will be the interim.

Jerry Wainwright was interim when Buzz left. That doesn't mean the plan was to coach games. I feel that title is more about who is keeping track of the players.

[Billy Hoyle]

Non-X bracket...



Did Boise State really not get invited to the NIT?  Or did they turn it down?  Answered my own question:

https://www.bronconationnews.com/boise-state-basketball-to-compete-in-new-college-basketball-crown-postseason-tournament-in-las-vegas/

SLU turned down the Crown for the NIT because of the delay in the starting date.

This bracket is a joke, right? ASU, Colorado, UCF (three of the bottom four teams of the Big 12), DePaul? Utah and Nova who have already fired their coaches. Oregon State who was knocked out of the WCC tournament by Pepperdine. Nebraska who didn't even make the Big Ten tournament? Even FBS bowl games aren't this bad. Call it The Clown instead.

[DefinitelyNotPorterMoser]

I've heard the winning team gets to split $300,000. That is a factor for some I bet.

[DFW HOYA]

DePaul chosen ahead of Providence. Not sure if a 20-loss record for the Friars was a deal breaker or they just didn't want to go.

[muwarrior69]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2025/03/17/college-basketball-crown-schedule-bracket-teams-what-to-know/82490071007/

[MU82]

Call it The Clown instead.

Well done.

I am a far-more-than-typical consumer of basketball on TV, but I will not watch one second of The Clown.

[drewm88]

As a fan, I'd take every opportunity for more games. Last chance to see some of your players, chance to start or build off some momentum, extra time for staff and rosters together...portal era complicates things but if it were my team I'd take it. Now hopefully it's never us.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Well done.

I am a far-more-than-typical consumer of basketball on TV, but I will not watch one second of The Clown.

I'll watch tons of it. I love the dates it falls on. I also watch cbb, 7 days a week.

[PGsHeroes32]

Wonder if Nova is playing mostly to get Dixon the program scoring record.

Believe his dud game vs UConn left him just short

[Pakuni]

DePaul chosen ahead of Providence. Not sure if a 20-loss record for the Friars was a deal breaker or they just didn't want to go.

DePaul is a better team, or at least has been for the past month.

[MUBurrow]

Did Boise State really not get invited to the NIT?  Or did they turn it down?  Answered my own question:

https://www.bronconationnews.com/boise-state-basketball-to-compete-in-new-college-basketball-crown-postseason-tournament-in-las-vegas/

Does TV deal have anything to do with that decision?  I think the Mountain West has one more year left on their deal with Fox.

[SaveOD238]

Non-X bracket...



Did Boise State really not get invited to the NIT?  Or did they turn it down?  Answered my own question:

https://www.bronconationnews.com/boise-state-basketball-to-compete-in-new-college-basketball-crown-postseason-tournament-in-las-vegas/

Boise St is the best team in this bracket, then probably Villanova.  I wouldn't hate watching DePaul go on a run here.  It would be good for the conference for them to show out.