New College Basketball Crown tournament launches in Las Vegas

A new college basketball tournament called The Crown is starting in 2025. It aims to entertain fans with teams that missed the NCAA Tournament. The Crown will take place in Las Vegas and features a single-elimination format. The tournament will have 16 teams, including notable programs like Arizona State, Butler, and Villanova. The selection process allowed top teams from major conferences like the Big Ten and Big 12, while some big-name conferences, such as the ACC and SEC, have no teams in this year's field. This change has shifted power from the NIT, which is now mainly for mid-major teams. The Crown will begin on March 31, 2025, and will consist of multiple games leading to a championship on April 6. It is designed to compete for viewership with the NIT, featuring matchups during the height of college basketball interest in March. Critics question if the quality of basketball will be good, as many teams have struggled this season. Some players are motivated by the chance to earn NIL money, adding to the mixed landscape of college sports. Despite concerns, the Crown has attracted significant attention and may influence future college basketball tournaments. Whether it will enhance the postseason experience for fans remains uncertain.