The Gophers will get some post-season play in the College Basketball Crown! Mark your calendars for April 1st, 9:30pm, against Baylor.

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More basketball is a good thing...

The way I see it, this might mean a lot of the guys eligible to come back next year will. If there were many of them with one foot out the door, I can't imagine they'd agree to it. (But, money can be quite convincing). And, I'm also hoping it means that we're healthy enough to compete and not just be lambs being led to slaughter. It would be nice to get JCJ back for it!
 


This might work with the two-week rest!

It's safe to say that no other CBC team will have 6 guys with so much experience playing with each other this season.

Looks like they will play Baylor in the opening round.

Apparently Rutgers is in too. Must be that BTT win over us that did it!

Stanford is also in it. Perhaps we can avenge that early season loss.
 






Press release from the U of MN:

Gopher Men’s Basketball Set to Compete in College Basketball Crown
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota men's basketball program is one of eight teams selected to participate in the College Basketball Crown (CBC), April 1-5 in Las Vegas. Minnesota will face Baylor on April 1 at 9:30 p.m. CT. The game will be played at MGM Grand Garden Arena and televised on FS1.

Now in its second year, the College Basketball Crown features an eight-team, seven-game format with four quarterfinals, two semifinals and a championship game. Quarterfinals will be held April 1-2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, while semifinals will be held on April 4 at T-Mobile Arena. Teams that advance to the championship game play on April 5 at 4:30 p.m. CT.

The CBC announcement was held during FS1's "First Things First" by LaPhonso Ellis earlier today.

Founded by AEG and FOX Sports, the College Basketball Crown airs live on FOX and FS1. Tickets can be purchased exclusively via Vivid Seats, the Official Ticketing Provider and Founding Partner of the College Basketball Crown.

"We're excited to have the opportunity to play in the College Basketball Crown," head coach Niko Medved said. "Our team has worked incredibly hard this year, and we're looking forward to extending our season and attending such a first-class event."

Minnesota and Rutgers represent the Big Ten in the eight-team CBC, while Baylor, Colorado and West Virginia will represent the Big 12. Creighton will join the Crown from the Big East, while Stanford represents the ACC and Oklahoma will represent the SEC.

The Golden Gophers enter the Crown with a 15-17 record. Minnesota went 8-12 in Big Ten action to finish 11th in the league standings. The Big Ten sent nine teams to the NCAA Tournament and two to the CBC.

The Minnesota vs. Baylor matchup will be the first meeting between the teams in school history.

The 2026 season marks Minnesota's first appearance in the CBC and first postseason action since 2024, when the Gophers were selected for the National Invitation Tournament. Minnesota defeated Butler that season and fell to NIT runner-up Indiana State that season.

This marks the second year of the College Basketball Crown, the first with an eight-team field. The Nebraska Cornhuskers won the inaugural CBC event in Las Vegas last season in a two-week, 16-team field.

All-American and NBA veteran Jim Jackson calls the action throughout the tournament, pairing with FOX Sports' lead college basketball announcer Gus Johnson for the semifinals and championship matchup on FOX, with play-by-play announcer Tim Brando on the call for the quarterfinals on FS1. Allison Williams serves as sideline reporter for the quarterfinals, while Kristina Pink joins for the semifinals and championship.

The studio team provides bridge show, pregame, and postgame coverage throughout the tournament. FOX Sports' studio coverage is anchored by hosts Rob Stone and Mike Hill, with insight and analysis from LaPhonso Ellis, Casey Jacobsen and Donny Marshall.

Schedule: Date (Venue, TV)
April 1 Quarterfinal Games (MGM Grand Garden Arena, FS1)
Oklahoma vs. Colorado 7 p.m. CT
Minnesota vs. Baylor 9:30 p.m. CT

April 2 Quarterfinal Games (MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena, FS1)
Stanford vs. West Virginia 7 p.m. CT
Rutgers vs. Creighton 9:30 p.m. CT

April 4 Semifinal Games (T Mobile Arena, FOX)
12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. CT

April 5 Championship Game (T Mobile Arena, FOX)
4:30 p.m. CT
 

Ski-U-Ham said:
More basketball is a good thing...

The way I see it, this might mean a lot of the guys eligible to come back next year will. If there were many of them with one foot out the door, I can't imagine they'd agree to it. (But, money can be quite convincing). And, I'm also hoping it means that we're healthy enough to compete and not just be lambs being led to slaughter. It would be nice to get JCJ back for it!
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Would agree that this could be a good sign that guys plan to come back but the portal doesn't officially open until April so doesn't really hurt them to wait to make an announcement.

That said, I do think that if the coaching staff felt guys were checked out and looking to leave there is no way they would have accepted the bid.

I like our chance of holding onto our key guys for next year, hopefully they can string together some wins and take home some extra NIL money.
 


Married@SiebertField said:
Good sign that Durkin/Asuma/Grove are returning?
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I have a hard time seeing any DI coach pestering them or recruiting them or pining for them to come to his higher rated team for more money. They are very low on the best available free agents list. And they all played 40 minutes a game at Minnesota.
 




Very interested how we were able to get in? The Crown Tournament stated they selected teams on NET rankings. There were a ton of teams ranked higher in that metric. Indiana was above us in the Big Ten. Washington was above us in the NET and stated they were anxious to play in the Crown Tournament. There are only 8 teams?
It's awesome we are in but it's surprising based on our chances to get in by the criteria.
 

60's Guy said:
I have a hard time seeing any DI coach pestering them or recruiting them or pining for them to come to his higher rated team for more money. They are very low on the best available free agents list. And they all played 40 minutes a game at Minnesota.
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They might be “low” on best lists, but high on “fits a need” list. I’d put Durkin on that. No team can have too many shooters, and he’s proven he can do it on a high major level. There will be vultures all over him and CJC if they aren’t already.
 

60's Guy said:
Very interested how we were able to get in? The Crown Tournament stated they selected teams on NET rankings. There were a ton of teams ranked higher in that metric. Indiana was above us in the Big Ten. Washington was above us in the NET and stated they were anxious to play in the Crown Tournament. There are only 8 teams?
It's awesome we are in but it's surprising based on our chances to get in by the criteria.
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Indiana bowed out before any invitations. Others may have said no, and maybe we passed eye test the last few weeks. We play an entertaining brand of basketball. Also throw in that some of the others may be planning to have depleted rosters. Washington best player is a lottery pick and likely won’t play. Not sure of others.
 


Holy Man said:
They might be “low” on best lists, but high on “fits a need” list. I’d put Durkin on that. No team can have too many shooters, and he’s proven he can do it on a high major level. There will be vultures all over him and CJC if they aren’t already.
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I can see Durkin having appeal for his shooting but beyond that he has limitations. We probably agree he is certainly the most desirable of the three. CJC is interesting...Medved said a month ago it was up to him when he'd play and he hasn't? Was there something to that or is he physically unable to go without causing greater injury? Was it just semantics or frustration another guy was hurt...dunno. Or, even though he came with Niko from CSU is he unhappy about something? That one is interesting.
Excited for the guys getting the opportunity.
 

Holy Man said:
Indiana bowed out before any invitations. Others may have said no, and maybe we passed eye test the last few weeks. We play an entertaining brand of basketball. Also throw in that some of the others may be planning to have depleted rosters. Washington best player is a lottery pick and likely won’t play. Not sure of others.
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And I don't remember who but somebody lost their coach to a better job. I know Notre Dame pouted in football about turning down bowl invitations after not making the playoffs. Indiana evidently did the same in basketball and Seton Hall and some others.
Just hard to fathom...every team I coached high school or college didn't want the season to ever end. AAU teams wanted to play in a tournament every weekend. Just can't relate to the pouting as as a leadership decision.
 





Crown Tournament --"You are formally invited to play in the Fox Crown Tournament. Can we assume you'll be there"?

Indiana- "No. We are Indiana and we don't bother with anything other than NCAA Championships. Plus, we have to focus on rebuying, er, rebuilding our roster for next year. Our coaches have been unable to reach or contact any of our players since Selection Sunday".

Washington-"Well, that's tempting but Steinbach wants to get drafted and his people advise him not to risk injury. Desmond Claude is negotiating with other teams, is out of eligibility, and will likely be incapacitated another 12-36 months, so in the best interest of the Crown we will decline".

USC- "Ahhh, we stink without 36-year old Baker-Mazara, and Cornish was the only guy that really wanted to keep playing. Its probably best for USC to lay low and focus on avoiding NCAA violations".

Minnesota- "Ahh man. Yea we had a meeting with the guys, and they are such a connected group. They do everything I've asked them to do and more. Everyone really wanted to keep playing basketball, and that's what its all about isn't it? A group of guys that get along so well both on and off the court, it was a no-brainer really when we considered the financial incentives that were there in Las Vegas, a really classy event playing on national TV. Some teams would have packed it in but this group, I mean, they want to keep playing together and growing as a basketball team".

Rutgers- "Great! Sounds good to get out of this shitty weather".
 


60's Guy said:
Very interested how we were able to get in? The Crown Tournament stated they selected teams on NET rankings. There were a ton of teams ranked higher in that metric. Indiana was above us in the Big Ten. Washington was above us in the NET and stated they were anxious to play in the Crown Tournament. There are only 8 teams?
It's awesome we are in but it's surprising based on our chances to get in by the criteria.
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I read somewhere that one of the criteria is the willingness to pay the $27,000 to get in. Chump change for most programs but I can see where Indiana type of programs would think they are above that
 

SplitDecision said:
Crown Tournament --"You are formally invited to play in the Fox Crown Tournament. Can we assume you'll be there"?

Indiana- "No. We are Indiana and we don't bother with anything other than NCAA Championships. Plus, we have to focus on rebuying, er, rebuilding our roster for next year. Our coaches have been unable to reach or contact any of our players since Selection Sunday".

Washington-"Well, that's tempting but Steinbach wants to get drafted and his people advise him not to risk injury. Desmond Claude is negotiating with other teams, is out of eligibility, and will likely be incapacitated another 12-36 months, so in the best interest of the Crown we will decline".

USC- "Ahhh, we stink without 36-year old Baker-Mazara, and Cornish was the only guy that really wanted to keep playing. Its probably best for USC to lay low and focus on avoiding NCAA violations".

Minnesota- "Ahh man. Yea we had a meeting with the guys, and they are such a connected group. They do everything I've asked them to do and more. Everyone really wanted to keep playing basketball, and that's what its all about isn't it? A group of guys that get along so well both on and off the court, it was a no-brainer really when we considered the financial incentives that were there in Las Vegas, a really classy event playing on national TV. Some teams would have packed it in but this group, I mean, they want to keep playing together and growing as a basketball team".

Rutgers- "Great! Sounds good to get out of this shitty weather".
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I think a good call on several of these teams. Northwestern could be added to your list and I am not sure why they would decline.
 


Out of curiosity, are we sure this isn't just a sick April Fools joke being played on long suffering Gopher fans?
 

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