We are 14-19 and the season was over a few hours ago. However, the NIT is pretty shorthanded this year and our squad is staying in college unlike last year so we're being mentioned as a 3 seed in the NIT bracketology.

A lot of people have asked us what we know about the College Basketball Crown. I called around this afternoon, and based on what I learned, here's the most realistic Crown bracketology I can offer. More info in the next tweet. pic.twitter.com/84bOtMiu5r

— NIT Stu (@nit_stu) March 13, 2025

OK, but can someone explain to me why this tournament doesn't have the same problem as the NIT or any other non-Madness tournament? I hope Madsen is on a plane to go meet with three top-notch transfers considering the portal, not organizing lineups for a "who cares" tournament. What's the upside of these tourneys?

KoreAmBear said:

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Johnfox said:

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We are 14-19 and the season was over a few hours ago. However, the NIT is pretty shorthanded this year and our squad is staying in college unlike last year so we're being mentioned as a 3 seed in the NIT bracketology.

A lot of people have asked us what we know about the College Basketball Crown. I called around this afternoon, and based on what I learned, here's the most realistic Crown bracketology I can offer. More info in the next tweet. pic.twitter.com/84bOtMiu5r

— NIT Stu (@nit_stu) March 13, 2025

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That's not the NIT that's some post-season Vegas tourney. But if guys are coming back, I think we should play. Our defense was the best it was all season the last three games. The volume of games kind of got them to gel. This could help for next season.

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The "College Basketball Crown" according to the Xeet.

Depends on the financial details. I wonder if you can invite/pay for potential transfers and recruits to see your games in Vegas?

barsad said:

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OK, but can someone explain to me why this tournament doesn't have the same problem as the NIT or any other non-Madness tournament? I hope Madsen is on a plane to go meet with three top-notch transfers considering the portal, not organizing lineups for a "who cares" tournament. What's the upside of these tourneys?

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Because the entire tournament is in Vegas, maybe you can invite and pay for "recruits" to come to your game and practices there, to meet the team, enjoy the nightlife?

I might go to Las Vegas and watch this, especially if we playColorado. Whats the difference between this and a no name pre season tournament. Its basketball.i wonder if Bears In The Air still exists?

homepage-ish (?)..
https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2025-02-08/2025-nit-bracket-schedule-tv-channels-mens-tournament
# cable ready
> 2025 NIT schedule, TV channels
> All times ET

• First round games are Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19
• Second round games are Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23
• The quarterfinal games are Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26
• The 2025 NIT semifinals are at 7 p.m. (ESPN) and 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2) on Tuesday, April 1 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
• The 2025 NIT championship game is at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN on Thursday, April 3 at
• at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis

ancient history..
> 1999 California 61-60 over Clemson (mvp?) Sean Lampley, California

Meh I wanna see drej and mady cook. Hope they stay but we can't hide from postseasons in fear every year

smh said:

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ancient history..
> 1999 California 61-60 over Clemson (mvp?) Sean Lampley, California

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Yup. Start this clip at about 3:16 to see the end. Geno Carlisle gets a basket and a foul and hits the free throw with 4.7 seconds left for the winning margin. Clemson had a good look at a game winning shot after that, but it was off the mark.

oskidunker said:

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I might go to Las Vegas and watch this, especially if we playColorado. Whats the difference between this and a no name pre season tournament. Its basketball.i wonder if Bears In The Air still exists?

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The difference is pretty obvious to me. Pre-season offers the chance for the coach to test new players, new lineups, we're not worried about injuries because you are trying to ramp up slowly to AVOID injury in the regular season. The post season has all the opposite incentives - praying for no injuries on battered bodies, there will be a new team in 6 months so no need to develop strategy.
If it's not March Madness glory none of the risks are worth it. It's not "fear" of postseason play, just smart team management.
As far as using Cal dollars to pay for 20-year-old recruits to run wild around a place like Vegas…. well, just say it out loud, it speaks for itself.

BearSD said:

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smh said:

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ancient history..
> 1999 California 61-60 over Clemson (mvp?) Sean Lampley, California

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Yup. Start this clip at about 3:16 to see the end. Geno Carlisle gets a basket and a foul and hits the free throw with 4.7 seconds left for the winning margin. Clemson had a good look at a game winning shot after that, but it was off the mark.

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Thanks. That brought back great memories.

eastcoastcal said:

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The College Basketball Crown is a new tournament backed by Fox. If we get in we should absolutely take it. Great exposure. FYI this is not a third tier tournament, it's (generally viewed) as a legitimate competitor to NIT.

Selfishly, so I can see my bears play longer, I want them to play

Unselfishly, I think it would be great to build more chemistry AND showcase an even further positive trajectory to recruits by saying we made a "postseason tournament".

Totally understand injury concerns, etc. I think it's worth participating.

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Plus if no one refuses to play we might assume they are coming back.

I assume that Furd will be invited to some post tournament. Could we face them a 4th time ?

Harky4 said:

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I assume that Furd will be invited to some post tournament. Could we face them a 4th time ?

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Please,no. I was thinking the same thing .

oskidunker said:

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Harky4 said:

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I assume that Furd will be invited to some post tournament. Could we face them a 4th time ?

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Please,no. I was thinking the same thing .

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In a compassionate world, that would not happen. Unless it did and we beat them; then it would happen every week.

eastcoastcal said:

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The College Basketball Crown is a new tournament backed by Fox. If we get in we should absolutely take it. Great exposure. FYI this is not a third tier tournament, it's (generally viewed) as a legitimate competitor to NIT.

Selfishly, so I can see my bears play longer, I want them to play

Unselfishly, I think it would be great to build more chemistry AND showcase an even further positive trajectory to recruits by saying we made a "postseason tournament".

Totally understand injury concerns, etc. I think it's worth participating.

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I think Madsen will be getting feedback from his players as to whether there is enough interest to field a representative team. No point going if you have several players not interested.

6956bear said:

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eastcoastcal said:

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The College Basketball Crown is a new tournament backed by Fox. If we get in we should absolutely take it. Great exposure. FYI this is not a third tier tournament, it's (generally viewed) as a legitimate competitor to NIT.

Selfishly, so I can see my bears play longer, I want

Unselfishly, I think it would be great to build more chemistry AND showcase an even further positive trajectory to recruits by saying we made a "postseason tournament".

Totally understand injury concerns, etc. I think it's worth participating.

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I think Madsen will be getting feedback from his players as to whether there is enough interest to field a representative team. No point going if you have several players not interested.

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The Crown may be seen as more desirable than the Nit. Could be we could be defaulted to the Nit.
*** Asu has just accepted an invitation to The Crown.. utah is hoping.

Not picked for the NIT.

Looks like we didn't come very close either. The lowest rated ACC school that made it in is Georgia Tech, who was well ahead of us in the ACC standings. Furd got in as a 2-seed and will be playing CSUN in Palo Alto.

Haven't seen the Crown selections yet, but I'm not optimistic. Only 16 teams in that one.

Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Not picked for the NIT.

Looks like we didn't come very close either. The lowest rated ACC school that made it in is Georgia Tech, who was well ahead of us in the ACC standings. Furd got in as a 2-seed and will be playing CSUN in Palo Alto.

Haven't seen the Crown selections yet, but I'm not optimistic. Only 16 teams in that one.

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Stanford not in the nit. We may meet them inn-the Crown. I hope not .

Yes they are. 2-seed playing first game at home.

The 3 ACC teams that made it in are SMU, Stanford, and Georgia Tech.

San Jose State made it in, which is pretty humiliating.

Addicted-to-TopDog said:

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Yes they are. 2-seed playing first game at home.

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Thought I saw Stamford.

You must mean Samford. They made it in as well. Not mutually exclusive.

When we are worthy, we will make a post-season tournament. Honestly, the vaunted ACC wasn't even all that tough this year.

Samford Stamford Stanfurd.
They all made it. Good for them.

it was interesting that Utah Valley (madsen) played Grand Canyon (Blackshear) for the WAC championship.