In a recent statement, Oklahoma coach Porter Moser accepted an invitation to the College Basketball Crown, a tournament in Las Vegas that's trying to carve out a niche alongside the more established NIT. Despite its ambitious start, the Crown has already reduced its field from 16 teams to 8, raising questions about its success and strategy.
Moser's comment that the Crown is "comprised of all high-major teams" doesn't quite hold up when looking at its inaugural year in 2025. Back then, the tournament included teams like Boise State and George Washington, not exclusively high-major programs. This year, the tournament's field was filled after the NCAA Tournament announcements, with the Big Ten, Big East, and Big 12 each securing two automatic bids.
Cincinnati opted out after a coaching change, leading Baylor and West Virginia to represent the Big 12. Meanwhile, the Big Ten's representatives, Minnesota and Rutgers, were far down the NET rankings, suggesting other teams declined invitations. The Big East, with only one team in the Crown, saw none of its teams in the NIT, a result of their contractual obligations.
The creation of the Crown, and its impact on the NIT, has led to a postseason where only four of the 32 NIT teams come from power conferences. This situation leaves coaches like Moser justifying their participation by emphasizing the presence of high-major teams, despite the tournament's mixed perception.
The emergence of the Crown and similar events like the Players Era Festival reflects a growing divide in college sports. These tournaments, often backed by private interests, prioritize high-major matchups, sidelining mid-major programs. This shift is evident in the scheduling struggles of successful mid-majors like Miami (Ohio), who faced barriers in securing games against power-conference teams.
As college sports increasingly mirror models like LIV Golf, focusing on high-profile teams and players, the gap between power conferences and the rest of the NCAA widens. This trend raises concerns about the future of college athletics, as the focus shifts from inclusivity to exclusivity.