The complete guide to College Basketball Crown's newest tournament

Alona Yadav | Mar 17, 2025, 22:45 IST

( Image credit : AP )

Highlight of the story: Fox Sports and the Anschutz Entertainment Group are launching the College Basketball Crown, a 16-team tournament in Las Vegas. It will feature teams from major conferences and strong mid-majors who missed the NCAA Tournament. The event runs from March 31 to April 6, with all games broadcast on Fox networks.

The inaugural College Basketball Crown is set to debut this month, offering a fresh postseason opportunity for teams that missed the NCAA Tournament. Created by Fox Sports and the Anschutz Entertainment Group, this 16-team tournament in Las Vegas aims to establish itself as a significant alternative to the NIT for teams looking to extend their seasons.

The tournament features guaranteed selections from the Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East conferences, along with teams from the West Coast Conference, Mountain West, Atlantic-10, and American Athletic Conference. The entire event will take place over a single week, strategically scheduled to lead into the Final Four.

Participating Teams

The field includes a mix of power conference teams and strong mid-majors:

Arizona StateBoise StateButlerCentral FloridaCincinnatiColoradoDePaulGeorgetownGeorge WashingtonNebraskaOregon StateSouthern CaliforniaTulaneUtahVillanovaWashington State

Tournament Schedule

The College Basketball Crown runs from March 31 through April 6:

First RoundMonday, March 31

Utah vs. Butler, 3 p.m. ET (FS1)George Washington vs. Boise State (FS1)Nebraska vs. Arizona State (FS1)Georgetown vs. Washington State (FS1)Tuesday, April 1

DePaul vs. Cincinnati (FS1)Oregon State vs. Central Florida (FS1)Colorado vs. Villanova (FS1)Tulane vs. Southern California (FS1)Second Round

Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3 (FS1)Semifinals

Saturday, April 5 (1:30 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. ET on Fox)Championship

Sunday, April 6 (5:30 p.m. ET on Fox)

Venues

The tournament will be played entirely in Las Vegas:

First and second rounds: MGM Grand Garden ArenaSemifinals and finals: T-Mobile Arena

How to Watch

All games will be broadcast on Fox networks:

First and second rounds: FS1Semifinals and championship: FoxThis new tournament offers college basketball fans additional postseason action as teams compete for the inaugural College Basketball Crown championship, creating another pathway for programs to end their seasons on a positive note.