Arizona State to participate in College Basketball Crown tournament
Arizona State will appear in the inaugural College Basketball Crown, a tournament with NIL benefits for non-NCAA Tournament teams.
Watch: State of the Sun Devils: Who will start for ASU football this season? | 30 mins
The Arizona State men’s basketball team isn’t done yet in 2024-25.
Though a 13-19 record won’t amount to an NCAA Tournament appearance, the Sun Devils will appear in the inaugural College Basketball Crown, head coach Bobby Hurley told AZCentral.
The 16-team tournament in Las Vegas starts March 31 and runs through April 6. Early games will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, while semifinals and the championship games at T-Mobile Arena — the last two host sites of the Pac-12 Tournament when ASU and Arizona were part of the conference.
The College Basketball Crown comes with NIL opportunities for players, who will also appear in front of NBA scouts.
FOX and FS1 have rights to broadcast the new tournament.
The event has a fan element as well, with a fan fast on Friday, April 4, at Circa Stadium Swim.
What is the draw for Arizona State at the College Basketball Crown?
While Hurley will return for the 2025-26 basketball season, the tournament event could be telling as to his success next season.
Freshman Jayden Quaintance, who made the All-Big 12 Freshman Team and All-Big 12 Defensive Team, was already ruled out for the rest of the Big 12 schedule because of a knee injury. It’s unclear if that issue could keep him out of the event that starts at the end of the month.
ASU could also benefit from more cohesion with young players like Joson Sanon and Amier Ali — two high-profile recruits from the 2024 class — if they opt to return next year. Freshman Trevor Best, Quaintance’s high school teammate, could also garner more run in the tournament.
What other teams will be included in the 2025 College Basketball Crown?
The event will include two automatic qualifiers from each of the Big 12, Big Ten and Big East, and a committee will patch together the other 10 participants.
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We are #101, 101 , 101! Starts March 31? The portal opens March 24. This could get interesting. See how many actually play. Jihad and Mason for the pro showcase, but what's the value for the rest? You show poorly, might hurt your value in the portal and NIL.
I "guess" this is "good" for the kids, and it gives the fans another reason (like we need one) to go to Vegas . . . BUT . . . Seems kind of pathetic . . . Hopefully everyone stays healthy, they get in some work, maybe pick-up a couple wins, some NIL money, and build for next season . . . Tridents (semi) Up \|/ !