The College Basketball Crown: A New Tournament for Unselected Teams
As March Madness captures the excitement of college basketball, a new postseason opportunity emerges for teams left out of the NCAA Tournament—the inaugural College Basketball Crown.
Overview of the College Basketball Crown
Set to debut from March 31 to April 6, 2025, this event will showcase 16 men’s college basketball teams that did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the tournament offers a chance for teams to continue competing after the regular season.
Details of the Tournament
When and Where
The College Basketball Crown will span over a week, beginning on Monday, March 31, 2025, and concluding on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Fans can secure tickets through Vivid Seats, and all matches will be broadcast live on FOX and FS1.
Participating Teams
This year’s tournament includes schools from prominent conferences, specifically the Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East. Each conference will provide two automatic qualifiers. Additional teams will be selected by a committee, thereby ensuring a competitive field.
Announced on March 17, brackets feature a variety of matchups. Among the first-round games scheduled:
- Monday, March 31:
- Game 1: Utah vs. Butler at 3 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Game 2: George Washington vs. Boise State at 5:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Game 3: Nebraska vs. Arizona State at 8:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Game 4: Georgetown vs. Washington State at 11 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Tuesday, April 1:
- Game 5: DePaul vs. Cincinnati at 3 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Game 6: Oregon State vs. UCF at 5:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Game 7: Colorado vs. Villanova at 8:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Game 8: Tulane vs. USC at 11 p.m. ET (FS1)
Viewing Options
Fans can catch all the action from the College Basketball Crown through the FOX Sports website and the FOX Sports app. Additionally, those without traditional cable can utilize streaming platforms such as YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, or fuboTV to watch live.
For individuals in areas with good reception, local FOX stations will also air the games, making it accessible to a wider audience.