Boise State Men's Basketball Joins New College Basketball Crown Tournament

BOISE, Idaho — Boise State men's basketball has been granted the opportunity to participate in the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament, following their exclusion from the NCAA Tournament. This new postseason event aims to provide teams with not only competition but also financial benefits through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) incentives.

The College Basketball Crown, starting on March 31, features 16 teams from seven major conferences, showcasing competitive programs and promising matchups. This year's tournament includes teams from Power Five conferences like the Big 12, Big East, and Big Ten, as well as other notable schools. Teams participating include Arizona State, Villanova, Georgetown, Nebraska, and USC, among others.

For Boise State, the first round will take place against George Washington on March 31 at 3:30 p.m. Mountain Time at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Broncos, who finished the season with a record of 24-10, are seeking redemption after narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament, where they were identified as one of the first four teams out. The clash between Boise State and George Washington (21-12) marks the first-ever matchup between the two schools.

The tournament is structured as single-elimination, which means every game is pivotal for the teams involved. The first and second rounds will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, culminating with the championship game scheduled for April 6 at the T-Mobile Arena. Notably, the first two rounds of the event will be broadcast live on FS1, with the semifinal and championship games airing nationally on FOX.

What sets the College Basketball Crown apart is its financial incentive. Each of the final four teams will split NIL funding, potentially earning upwards of $300,000 for the champions, $100,000 for the runners-up, and $50,000 for semifinalists. According to Idaho Statesman, these packages are intended to encourage player participation and highlight the increasing importance of NIL opportunities within college athletics.

Throughout the regular season, Boise State received acclaim for its strong performance, finishing atop the Mountain West standings. They reached the Mountain West Conference finals before falling to Colorado State on March 15, which left them on the outside of the NCAA Tournament. Their participation in this innovative tournament provides another chance to showcase their skill and improve their standing.

The College Basketball Crown intends to grow its popularity and relevance within college sports, coveting teams and programs from different backgrounds to create compelling narratives and rivalries. This first edition features at least two teams from each of the major conferences, including two automatic qualifiers, and ten at-large selections.

The tournament, set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, allows fans to engage with teams and players before the NCAA’s final games of the season. The invested programs and fans view this as not just another postseason, but as potentially groundbreaking for college basketball

Boise State finished the regular season well, claiming victories over significant competitors, which secured their status as the highest-ranked team based on NET rankings at 44. They will face off against George Washington, which holds the NET ranking at 124.

With their spirits high after completing most of their season successfully, Boise State fans are encouraged to support their team by attending the tournament and buying tickets available online. This opportunity highlights the vibrant college basketball culture and promises exciting game dynamics.

Boise State chose participation over hosting games at the NIT, considering it to be more aligned with their aspirations for the current season. The Crown is positioned strategically between the Elite Eight and the national championship game of the NCAA Tournament, creating significant interest around the event.

With anticipation building, all games from the tournament, particularly those involving Boise State, are expected to captivate audiences and provide thrilling matchups. Boise State basketball has another chance to make its mark on the college basketball stage, preparing for their first tilt against George Washington and hoping to mount a run to the championship.