The Rutgers men’s basketball team is gearing up for an exciting showdown on Thursday, April 2, as they face Creighton in the 2026 College Basketball Crown at the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This marks a significant moment for Rutgers, as they make their return to postseason play for the first time since their 2022-23 NIT appearance, where they had a tough outing against Hofstra.
So, what exactly is the College Basketball Crown? It’s a thrilling single-elimination tournament featuring eight Division I teams that didn’t make it to the NCAA tournament. This year’s lineup includes squads from powerhouse conferences like the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, and ACC, all converging in Las Vegas from April 1-5 to battle it out for glory.
The tournament kicks off with games at both the MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena, promising fans a week of high-stakes basketball action. Here’s a look at the schedule:
Wednesday, April 1:
- Oklahoma takes on Colorado at 8 p.m. ET
- Baylor faces Minnesota at 10:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, April 2:
- Stanford clashes with West Virginia at 8 p.m. ET
- Rutgers battles Creighton at 10:30 p.m. ET
As we move into the weekend, the semifinals are set for Saturday, April 4, with the winners of the Oklahoma/Colorado and Baylor/Minnesota games facing off at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Later, the victors of the Stanford/West Virginia and Rutgers/Creighton matchups will compete at 4 p.m. ET.
The tournament culminates with the championship game on Sunday, April 5, at 5:30 p.m. ET. It’s an event that promises to deliver memorable moments and showcase the talents of teams hungry for a postseason triumph.
For fans eager to catch the action live, tickets are available starting at $54. It's a chance to witness some intense basketball and see if Rutgers can make a deep run in this competitive tournament.