The inaugural College Basketball Crown tips off today in Las Vegas. This new postseason tournament features 16 schools in a single-elimination bracket-style format. Two programs from the Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East will automatically qualify for the event, and a committee will choose the remaining ten spots.
With some extra basketball to help college hoop fans fill the void of waiting almost a week until the Final Four, let’s dive into the first-round matchups.
College Basketball Crown Monday’s First-Round Games
Butler vs. Utah
The first game was a Big East and Big 12 showdown between the Bulldogs and the Utes. Utah entered the game as 3.5-point favorites, but it would be Butler who advanced to the second round.
Pierre Brooks carried the load for Butler with 22 points and nine rebounds, with an efficient eight for 14 from the field, the only player in the game with 20+ points. Brooks shot it from deep, going four for eight behind the arc.
The Bulldogs will play their second-round game on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET against the winner of George Washington vs. Boise State.
George Washington vs. Boise State
Boise State comes into this game as 10.5-point favorites, and reasonably so. The Broncos were one of the First Four teams out of the NCAA Tournament after making an improbable run to the Mountain West title game.
A run that required them to beat San Diego State and New Mexico, both of which were playing in March Madness. Many thought the Broncos should have secured a bid over North Carolina.
George Washington will come into Vegas as a heavy underdog, but this team has shown flashes throughout the season, including a 20-point thrashing of Dayton. Their biggest flaw is rebounding, where they only grab 35.1 a game, which is tied for 218th in the country. But watch out for the Revolutionaries’ junior forward, Rafael Castro, who averages 14.1ppg and shoots it at 66.3% from the field, the third highest rate in division one.
I think Boise State will be too much for George Washington to handle. They come into the game-winning 11 of their last 14 contests while also playing with a chip on their shoulder from being left out of the NCAA Tournament.
Boise State -10.5
Nebraska vs. Arizona State
Nebraska closed out its season in miserable fashion, losing its final five games. However, the Cornhuskers are favored by seven and a half points in this one. This squad was on the bubble before its dreadful end due to its four wins against AP Top 25 opponents. Inconsistency was an issue for this team all season and the main reason they weren’t in the field of 68.
Arizona State coincidentally also comes into this game on a five-game losing skid. But it is worse than it seems, as the Sun Devils lost 11 of their 12 games to close the season. When things couldn’t get any worse, the team lost Joson Sanon, who transferred to play for Rick Pitino and St. Johns. The guard was averaging 11.9 ppg.
Nebraska will control this game from start to finish, putting the final stamp on this abominable Arizona State losing stretch. Although the Cornhuskers are inconsistent, and it’s hard to tell which squad we will see, having Brice Williams, who averages 20 ppg, will be the deciding factor in this one.
Nebraska -6.5
Georgetown vs. Washington State
The final game for Monday’s first round is a Big East and West Coast Conference showdown; Georgetown is a two-and-a-half-point favorite.
Georgetown rolls into Vegas having lost five of their last six, including back-to-back losses to Depaul, also a College Basketball Crown participant. The Hoyas started the season with a 12-2 record, including winning their first three conference games. However, they couldn’t keep the momentum going and ended up finishing 17-15 with an 8-12 Big East Record. The bright spot for this team is Micah Peavy and his 17.2 ppg.
The Cougars are coming off their first season playing in the West Coast Conference, finishing 8-10 in conference play. Washington State ended the season with a 19-14 overall record, which was thanks to their high-scoring and efficient shooting: 78.8 ppg on 49% from the field. This team is deep and unselfish; they rank 27th in the country in assists per game, 16.9, and have six players scoring double figures.
KEEP READING: How Much Will the College Basketball Crown Tournament Pay Out Their Winners?
I think Washington State’s shooting efficiency will be too much for the Hoyas to keep up with. Although Georgetown played tougher opponents in a better conference this season, they struggled to keep up with high-scoring teams such as the Cougars.
Washington State +2.5
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