Andrew Pace
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is an annual single-elimination, fully-bracketed men's college basketball tournament. The CBI features teams from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I that are not selected to participate in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), or the College Basketball Crown (CBC). The CBI tournament has been televised on various networks throughout the years, including DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet, CBS Sports Network, and ESPN. The most recent CBI tournament in 2025 was televised on FloCollege, ESPNU, and ESPN2.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Tournament Name | College Basketball Invitational (CBI) |
| Type of Tournament | Single-elimination, fully-bracketed men's college basketball postseason tournament |
| Participating Teams | 11 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams |
| Tournament Dates | March 22-26, 2025 |
| Venue | Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Streaming Options | First and quarterfinal rounds on FloCollege |
| Television Channels | Semifinal round on ESPNU, Final on ESPN2 |
| Previous Broadcasters | DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet (now AXS), CBS Sports Network, ESPN |
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What You'll Learn
The CBI Tournament is televised on ESPN and ESPN2
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a tournament featuring NCAA Division I men's basketball teams not selected to participate in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), or the College Basketball Crown (CBC). The CBI Tournament is televised on ESPN and ESPN2.
In 2016, the CBI announced an exclusive television partnership with ESPN to broadcast the Championship Series of the CBI. From 2016 to 2019, the best-of-three Championship Series was televised on ESPNU. In 2025, the CBI semifinals were televised on ESPNU, with the final telecast on ESPN2.
The 2025 CBI Tournament took place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, and featured 11 teams competing in a single-elimination format. Illinois State defeated Cleveland State in the final by a score of 79-68 to claim their first NCAA Division I postseason title.
ESPN and ESPN2 are popular sports channels that provide extensive coverage of various sports events, including basketball tournaments. By televising the CBI Tournament, they bring the excitement and action of the games to viewers across the country, allowing fans to follow their favorite teams and players as they compete for the CBI title.
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The 2025 CBI Tournament took place in Daytona Beach, Florida
The tournament featured National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams that were not selected to participate in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), or the College Basketball Crown (CBC). This provided an opportunity for teams to extend their season and compete for a CBI title.
The first and quarterfinal rounds of the tournament were streamed live on FloCollege, allowing fans to watch the games online. The semifinal round, however, transitioned to television, being telecast on ESPNU. The excitement built up to the final, which was aired on ESPN2, where Illinois State emerged victorious over Cleveland State with a score of 79-68.
Daytona Beach served as a vibrant backdrop for the tournament, with its sunny beaches and lively atmosphere. The Ocean Center provided a spacious and well-equipped arena for the games, ensuring a comfortable and engaging experience for both the players and spectators. The tournament was a showcase of talent, determination, and sportsmanship, with players from different teams coming together to compete and pursue the coveted CBI championship title.
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The 2009-2013 CBI Tournament was televised on HDNet
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Tournament was televised on HDNet from 2009 to 2013. HDNet broadcast four first-round games, two quarterfinal games, both semifinal games, and all three championship games. The network changed its name to AXS before the 2013 tournament.
The CBI Tournament is a postseason tournament for college basketball teams, providing an opportunity to extend their season. However, it is often unpopular among higher-profile teams due to the stigma associated with participating in a tertiary tournament. Despite this, the tournament has continued to grow and gain popularity, with various television networks showing interest in broadcasting the games.
HDNet, now known as AXS, secured the broadcasting rights for the CBI Tournament for several years, starting in 2009. The network provided comprehensive coverage of the tournament, airing multiple games from the first round, quarterfinals, and semifinals, as well as televising all three championship games. This ensured that fans across the country could follow the tournament and support their favourite teams.
The partnership between the CBI Tournament and HDNet lasted for five years, until 2013. During this time, HDNet played a significant role in promoting and growing the tournament's reach. By televising the CBI Tournament, HDNet contributed to the exposure and recognition of the participating teams and provided a platform for fans to engage with the competition.
Following the conclusion of the 2013 tournament, HDNet underwent a rebranding and became known as AXS. Despite the name change, the network continued to be a supporter of college basketball, showcasing various tournaments and events. The CBI Tournament also continued to thrive, securing broadcasting deals with other prominent sports networks in subsequent years, including CBS Sports Network and ESPN.
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The 2014 and 2015 CBI Tournaments were televised on CBS Sports Network
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a popular tournament that has been televised on several networks since its inaugural year. The 2014 and 2015 CBI tournaments, in particular, were televised on the CBS Sports Network. This was a significant period for the tournament's broadcasting rights.
During the 2014 and 2015 CBI Tournaments, fans across the country were able to tune in and watch the exciting basketball action unfold on CBS Sports Network. The network provided comprehensive coverage of the tournaments, bringing the intensity and skill of the competing teams to living rooms nationwide.
The CBS Sports Network's coverage of the 2014 and 2015 CBI Tournaments marked a continuation of the tournament's presence on television. In its inaugural year, the College Basketball Invitational was available to viewers through local markets on DirecTV and Fox Sports Net. The official website also streamed the games, ensuring that fans could follow their favourite teams regardless of their location.
The broadcasting landscape of the CBI tournament has evolved over the years. Following the 2013 tournament, HDNet, which had been broadcasting the tournament from 2009 to 2013, changed its name to AXS. Subsequently, the CBI tournament found a new home on CBS Sports Network for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, showcasing the talent of the participating teams to a broad audience.
The CBI tournament has continued to thrive and gain popularity, with the 2025 tournament taking place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. This year's edition featured a single-elimination format with eleven National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams competing. The first and quarterfinal rounds were streamed on FloCollege, the semifinal round was telecast on ESPNU, and the final was aired on ESPN2.
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The 2016-2019 CBI Tournaments were televised on ESPNU
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a popular tournament that has been televised since its inaugural year. The 2016-2019 CBI tournaments were televised on ESPNU, with an exclusive partnership with ESPN to broadcast the Championship Series. This partnership ensured that fans could watch the best-of-three Championship Series games from the comfort of their homes.
The CBI is a highly anticipated event in the world of college basketball, providing teams with an opportunity to extend their season. While it faces some stigma from higher-profile teams, the tournament is a platform for many teams to showcase their skills. The 2016-2019 period marked a significant step forward in the tournament's visibility and accessibility to viewers.
ESPNU's coverage of the CBI during these years elevated the tournament's profile and brought it to a wider audience. Basketball enthusiasts across the country were able to tune in and witness the thrilling best-of-three Championship Series. The partnership with ESPN demonstrated the tournament's growing popularity and significance within the sport.
The CBI has a history of partnering with notable television networks to broadcast its games. Prior to the ESPNU deal, the tournament was televised on CBS Sports Network in 2014 and 2015. The move to ESPNU represented a dedicated focus on showcasing the Championship Series and providing extensive coverage of the tournament's climax.
The 2016-2019 era of the CBI witnessed intense competition and remarkable athletic performances. With ESPNU bringing the action directly to fans, the tournament gained further traction and established itself as a prominent event in the college basketball calendar. The accessibility of the games on a widely available network undoubtedly contributed to the tournament's success and growing popularity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the CBI basketball tournament is televised.
The first and quarterfinal rounds are streamed on FloCollege, the semifinal round is telecast on ESPNU, and the final is telecast on ESPN2.
The 2025 CBI Tournament took place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The 2025 CBI Tournament featured 11 teams, while the 2024 tournament featured 12 teams.
The 2025 CBI Tournament took place from March 22 to March 26.
