The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is gearing up for an exciting postseason opportunity as one of the eight squads selected to compete in the College Basketball Crown (CBC), set to take place from April 1-5 in Las Vegas. The Golden Gophers will tip off against Baylor on April 1 at 9:30 p.m. CT, with the game unfolding at the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena and broadcast live on FS1.
This year's CBC, now in its second iteration, promises a thrilling eight-team, seven-game showdown. The action kicks off with quarterfinals on April 1-2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, followed by semifinals on April 4 at T-Mobile Arena.
The championship clash is slated for April 5 at 4:30 p.m. CT.
The CBC, a collaboration between AEG and FOX Sports, is a must-watch event airing live on FOX and FS1. Fans eager to catch the action live can secure their tickets through Vivid Seats, the Official Ticketing Provider and Founding Partner of the College Basketball Crown.
Minnesota's head coach, Niko Medved, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We're excited to have the opportunity to play in the College Basketball Crown. Our team has worked incredibly hard this year, and we're looking forward to extending our season and attending such a first-class event."
Representing the Big Ten, Minnesota joins Rutgers in the CBC lineup, while Baylor, Colorado, and West Virginia fly the flag for the Big 12. Creighton steps in from the Big East, Stanford represents the ACC, and Oklahoma holds the torch for the SEC.
The Golden Gophers enter this tournament with a 15-17 record, having gone 8-12 in Big Ten play to secure an 11th-place finish in the league standings. Notably, this matchup against Baylor will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
For Minnesota, this appearance in the CBC marks a return to postseason play since their 2024 run in the National Invitation Tournament, where they claimed victory over Butler before bowing out to NIT runner-up Indiana State.
This year’s CBC features a streamlined eight-team field, a shift from last year’s inaugural 16-team format, which saw the Nebraska Cornhuskers claim victory in Las Vegas.
Calling the shots throughout the tournament is the dynamic duo of All-American and NBA veteran Jim Jackson, alongside FOX Sports' lead college basketball announcer Gus Johnson for the semifinals and championship on FOX. Tim Brando will handle play-by-play duties for the quarterfinals on FS1. On the sidelines, Allison Williams will report during the quarterfinals, with Kristina Pink stepping in for the semifinals and championship.
FOX Sports' studio coverage is anchored by Rob Stone and Mike Hill, with expert insights from LaPhonso Ellis, Casey Jacobsen, and Donny Marshall, ensuring fans are well-informed and entertained throughout the tournament.
The quarterfinal games are set as follows:
- Oklahoma vs. Colorado at 7 p.m.
CT
- Minnesota vs.
Baylor at 9:30 p.m. CT
On April 2:
- Stanford vs. West Virginia at 7 p.m.
CT
- Rutgers vs.
Creighton at 9:30 p.m. CT
The semifinals on April 4 will take place at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. CT, with the championship game on April 5 at 4:30 p.m. CT, all at T-Mobile Arena and aired on FOX.