March Madness isn’t the only postseason action heating up in college basketball. With the debut of the College Basketball Crown, fans are getting a second helping of tournament fever. But how does this flashy new contender compare to the long-standing National Invitation Tournament?
Let’s break down the key differences, explore what sets each event apart, and look at how this new-age format could shake up the postseason landscape.
What Is the College Basketball Crown?
The College Basketball Crown is a brand-new postseason tournament backed by FOX Sports and designed to showcase high-level teams that didn’t make the cut for the NCAA Tournament. The 16-team tournament runs from March 31 to April 6 in Las Vegas, bringing together squads from the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, WCC, Mountain West, AAC, and A-10.
The field is set. Two weeks from today it all goes down in Vegas. 16 teams. 1 crown. Tickets available via @vividseats now – https://t.co/VjK7Uctf7B pic.twitter.com/5sxdVoFdk7
— College Basketball Crown (@CBBCrown) March 17, 2025
Unlike the traditional NIT format that spreads games across campuses, the Crown centralizes all the action in one high-energy location — making it feel more like a condensed March Madness experience.
And with $500,000 in NIL incentives up for grabs, it’s not just pride on the line — it’s a chance for players to boost their brands and walk away with serious cash.
What Is the NIT?
The NIT (National Invitation Tournament) has been around since 1938, making it one of the oldest and most respected events in college basketball. It invites 32 teams who missed out on the NCAA Tournament to compete in a traditional bracket format, with games hosted across various campus sites and the championship played at a neutral venue.
She’s a beaut 🥲
Who do we have cutting down the nets in Indy? #NIT2025 pic.twitter.com/Xn4eaX1dar
— NIT (@NITMBB) March 17, 2025
While once the premier tournament in college basketball, the NIT has taken a backseat to the NCAA Tournament in recent decades. Still, it remains a meaningful competition for teams looking to end their season with a strong showing and, for some – redemption.
How the College Basketball Crown and NIT Differ
| College Basketball Crown | NIT | |
| Founded | 2025 (Inaugural Season) | 1938 |
| Number of Teams | 16 | 32 |
| Location | Las Vegas (Single Site) | Multiple Sites (Nationwide) |
| Broadcast Partner | FOX Sports | ESPN |
| NIL Incentives | $500,000 total (Top 4 teams) | None (as of 2025) |
| Top Conferences | Big Ten, Big 12, Big East | ACC, SEC, Others |
| Purpose | Showcase high-major non-NCAA teams, future stars, and rebuilds | Continue traditional postseason play for competitive teams |
On paper, the NIT holds the legacy advantage, but the College Basketball Crown isn’t playing second fiddle. Both tournaments boast solid squads and top-75 KenPom teams, but the Crown has leaned into high-major programs and future-focused narratives.
Top programs like Nebraska, Villanova, Cincinnati, and Boise State give the Crown instant credibility. Meanwhile, the NIT’s highest-ranked team in KenPom, SMU, is closely followed by Boise State from the Crown, proving the competitiveness of both brackets.
Add in the NIL element and centralized exposure in Vegas, and the Crown could quickly become the preferred option for teams looking to make a splash on a national stage, especially with NBA scouts in the building for every game.
The NIL revolution has changed the game, and the College Basketball Crown is the first tournament to fully embrace that reality. With $300K going to the champion, $100K to the runner-up, and $50K to each semifinalist through Vivid Seats’ ambassador program, players now have a direct incentive to ball out in the postseason.
Plus, with teams like DePaul, George Washington, and USC seeing this tournament as a springboard for future success, the Crown isn’t just a consolation prize – it’s a launching pad. It also delivers more games during Final Four week, giving fans extra basketball during the sport’s biggest moment.
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The NIT is a cornerstone of college basketball’s past, steeped in tradition and still offering meaningful games. But the College Basketball Crown is clearly aiming to be the event of the future, packed with incentives, big names, and a Vegas flair that matches the modern game’s energy.
As college basketball continues to evolve in the NIL era, the tournaments that embrace change may just be the ones that define the sport’s next chapter. And with its bold debut in 2025, the College Basketball Crown has already staked its claim.
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