What Is College Basketball Crown? Digging Deeper Into NCAA’s Inaugural Las Vegas Tournament

Are you a Butler fan? A DePaul fan? Or perhaps your team fell just short of March Madness? Don’t worry just yet—your squad might still be hoopin’ it up this week in Las Vegas at the inaugural College Basketball Crown (CBC). Launched on March 31, 2025, by FOX Sports and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), this single-elimination tournament runs through April 6, giving 16 teams that missed the NCAA Tournament a shot at glory. And if you were reading till here because of Butler and DePaul, then the good news is that both made the cut, joining a select group of teams still playing postseason ball. So, you can keep reading to ensure you know what your favorite team is in for.

The CBC’s structure is straightforward yet strategic. Six of its 16 bids are automatic qualifiers—two each from the Big East, Big Ten, and Big 12—while the remaining ten are at-large invites chosen by a committee using NET rankings. But this tournament isn’t just a random addition to the calendar—it’s a calculated response to a shifting postseason landscape. The NIT, which has been the go-to for NCAA snubs, revamped its selection in 2024, ditching automatic bids for mid-major champs and leaning hard into power conferences. Many criticized it, including the NCAA, calling it a “preemptive attempt to keep the NIT viable long-term.” In 2025, only one Big 12 team (Oklahoma State) landed in the NIT, while the CBC snagged top non-NCAA squads from its partner leagues, contractually locking them out of other tournaments. So, fair to say that this FOX-AEG power play is looking to redefine college basketball’s postseason hierarchy.

What sets the CBC apart goes beyond its lineup. Held entirely in Las Vegas, it capitalizes on the city’s allure to create a unique experience. Teams stay at MGM Resorts properties, referees bunk at Circa Resort & Casino (host of a Friday fan fest), and travel partner JSX keeps logistics tight. Compare that to the NIT’s scattered campus venues, and the difference is stark. Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman put it succinctly: “Unlike the NIT, you’re not bouncing from venue to venue. It’s positive for cost reasons.” Talk about slashing costs and amplifying exposure!

Now, if you might think that the CBC is just a consolation bracket, think again. Boise State, the DraftKings betting favorite as of March 31, boasts a 24-10 regular-season record, a Mountain West title game run, and wins over NCAA Tournament teams New Mexico and San Diego State. Cincinnati, another contender, took down Baylor and BYU—both NCAA qualifiers. FOX Sports analyst Chris “The Bear” Fallica said of Boise State, “I truly think this is the Broncos’ tournament to lose, and they’ll be playing with a chip on their shoulder given they were among the first four out.” Talent, hence, isn’t spread thin, and you can sit with a bucket of popcorn for a high-quality 16-team showdown.

Beyond just hoops, the CBC is also here to shake things up. Rule tweaks are in place to speed up those excruciating last two minutes of every close game. But it’s not just about the court. FOX Sports EVP Jordan Bazant captured the bigger picture: “This initiative represents an innovative shift in college basketball’s postseason landscape. It not only enhances competition, but also underscores our commitment to supporting student-athletes by unlocking new commercial opportunities.” NIL tie-ins? Check. A shiny new crown trophy? Absolutely. A future where CBC becomes a mainstay in the college hoops calendar? You bet.

And if one needs more reasons to bet on it, John Fanta has an answer: NIL prize money, NBA teams on hand in one centralized location, isolated TV windows, experimental rules, and much more.