Nebraska (17-14) will play Arizona State (13-19) in the first round of the 16-team CBC tournament on Monday, March 31st, at 8:30 PM ET (7:30 PM CT) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, broadcast on FS1.
The decision to play was driven by team leadership, notably senior Brice Williams, who stated he 'wasn't ready to be done' and urged full commitment from the team.
Williams, a first-team All-Big Ten selection averaging 20.0 points per game, sees the tournament as a chance to 'play for a championship' and end the season positively after a five-game losing streak.
Why this matters:: This tournament provides Nebraska valuable postseason experience, a chance for redemption after a tough end to the regular season, and highlights the team's competitive spirit and Williams' leadership. A tournament win also carries a $300,000 prize for the program's NIL collective.
The CBC is a new 16-team postseason event featuring teams primarily from the Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East who weren't selected for the NCAA Tournament. Automatic bids were given to the top two eligible teams from these conferences, with a committee filling the remaining spots. While some programs declined invitations, Nebraska's players, particularly the leadership group, were eager to continue competing.
Nebraska secured its second consecutive postseason berth (first time since 2018-19) after a 17-win regular season that included four victories over ranked opponents. However, the season ended disappointingly with five straight losses, several by narrow margins. The team saw the CBC as a chance to wash away that bad taste. All-Big Ten standout Brice Williams, who had a remarkable individual season, emphasized the need for the team to be 'all in' for the Las Vegas tournament. His positive experience at Nebraska, highlighting honest coaching and ample resources, serves as a strong endorsement for the program.
The Huskers face an Arizona State team that also struggled down the stretch, entering the CBC on a five-game losing streak and battling injuries throughout their Big 12 campaign. The Sun Devils are led by senior guard Alston Mason (13.5 ppg). This marks the eighth meeting between the schools (ASU leads 4-3), but the first on a neutral court.
The CBC (and NIT) will feature an experimental rule allowing coaches to appeal out-of-bounds calls in the final two minutes via video review, tied to their remaining timeouts. A successful appeal retains the timeout; an unsuccessful one costs a timeout (or results in a technical foul if none remain).
Q: What is the College Basketball Crown?
It's an inaugural 16-team postseason men's basketball tournament in Las Vegas for teams, primarily from the Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East, that did not make the NCAA Tournament.
Q: Why is Nebraska participating?
After narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament and ending the season on a losing streak, team leaders like Brice Williams wanted another chance to compete together for a championship and gain postseason experience.
Q: Who leads the Huskers?
Senior guard Brice Williams, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, leads the team, averaging 20.0 points per game.
Husker fans get at least one more chance to watch the team play this season.
The team's participation shows resilience and a commitment to competing, led by senior Brice Williams.
The CBC offers a platform for players to gain postseason experience and potentially end the season with a championship trophy.
Tune in to FS1 on Monday, March 31st at 8:30 PM ET to watch Nebraska vs. Arizona State.
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