Let’s hope you weren’t getting tired of big-stakes college hoops. Not only have two tickets to the Final Four been punched, but we’ve now got this bright lights, big city, brand-spanking new tournament on the Las Vegas Strip—where else?—that tips off tomorrow. Many people may be wondering: What is the 2025 NCAA Crown Tournament, and what teams are in it? What’s the tournament bracket look like? I hear you! I break down everything you need to know for the 2025 Crown Tournament Bracket, including payout structure breakdown, schedule, previews, and predictions.
As March Madness is winding down, I’ll be hitting my regularly-scheduled-programming of game write-ups for individual games each round, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. I’ll also be filling out a college basketball crown tournament bracket, to which I’ll link here later. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more to-the-minute, point-of-need analyses and plays throughout conference tournament week.
If you’re just looking for insights on payout structure, check out my column on that here.
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2025 NCAA Crown Tournament Overview
It’s time to crank up the intensity—this is college basketball on a whole new level. The inaugural College Basketball Crown Tournament isn’t just a showcase of the best teams outside the NCAA’s Final Four; it’s a high-stakes, electrifying battle for glory in Las Vegas. And while fans are craving more March Madness during the lull between the Elite Eight and Final Four, these teams are battling for something even bigger than a trophy.
Let’s talk money. The payout structure for this tournament is a game-changer: The champions will walk away with a hefty $300,000 NIL package. That’s right, these athletes are going home with serious cash for their performance. The runners-up will earn $100,000, and the semifinalists won’t go home empty-handed, pocketing $50,000 each. This is more than just a tournament—it’s an opportunity for players to prove themselves and cash in, as the landscape of college basketball has evolved with NIL deals since their introduction in 2021.
So, what’s at stake? These 16 teams aren’t just competing for bragging rights; they’re playing for real, tangible rewards—setting the stage for future stars and giving fans a chance to see next-level talent at play. And trust me, this tournament is the perfect way to keep the March Madness vibe going with some seriously high-level hoops action, especially as we gear up for the Final Four.
Teams, the cash, and the hunger—the 2025 College Basketball Crown Tournament is where you’ll want to be. Let’s get ready to ball.
College Basketball Crown Tournament Bracket and Teams
The tournament features a star-studded lineup, with teams from powerhouse conferences and emerging programs. Here’s the full roster:
- Arizona State
- Butler
- Boise State
- Cincinnati
- Colorado
- DePaul
- Georgetown
- George Washington
- Nebraska
- Oregon State
- Tulane
- UCF
- USC
- Utah
- Villanova
- Washington State
These teams earned their spots through a combination of conference performances and at-large bids, ensuring a competitive and unpredictable tournament. They’re here to win cold cash.
(Photo Credit: FOX Sports/FS1)
2025 Crown Tournament Schedule
Here’s the breakdown:
First Round
Monday, March 31
- Game 1: Utah vs. Butler – 3:00 PM ET (FS1)
- Game 2: George Washington vs. Boise State – 5:30 PM ET (FS1)
- Game 3: Nebraska vs. Arizona State – 8:30 PM ET (FS1)
- Game 4: Georgetown vs. Washington State – 11:00 PM ET (FS1)
Tuesday, April 1
- Game 5: DePaul vs. Cincinnati – 3:00 PM ET (FS1)
- Game 6: Oregon State vs. UCF – 5:30 PM ET (FS1)
- Game 7: Colorado vs. Villanova – 8:30 PM ET (FS1)
- Game 8: Tulane vs. USC – 11:00 PM ET (FS1)
Second Round
Wednesday, April 2
- Game 9: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 – 7:00 PM ET (FS1)
- Game 10: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 – 9:30 PM ET (FS1)
Thursday, April 3
- Game 11: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 – 7:00 PM ET (FS1)
- Game 12: Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8 – 9:30 PM ET (FS1)
Semifinals
Saturday, April 5
- Game 13: Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10 – 1:30 PM ET (FOX)
- Game 14: Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12 – 4:00 PM ET (FOX)
Championship
Sunday, April 6
- Game 15: Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 14 – 5:30 PM ET (FOX)
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