Ayrton Oneill
The CBI, or College Basketball Invitational, is a men's college basketball tournament that has been held annually since 2008, except in 2020. The CBI is a single-elimination tournament featuring 16 teams that are not selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The tournament provides an opportunity for teams to continue their season and showcase their skills, but it is often unpopular among higher-profile teams due to the stigma of playing in a tertiary tournament. The CBI tournament did take place this year from March 22 to March 26, with Illinois State claiming the championship title.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | College Basketball Invitational (CBI) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Dates | March 22-26, 2025 |
| Location | Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Teams | 11 (originally 16) |
| Participants | National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams |
| Format | Single-elimination, fully-bracketed |
| Previous winners | Tulsa (2008), Illinois State (2025) |
| Organizer | The Gazelle Group |
| Ticket price | General admission starting at $8 |
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What You'll Learn
- The 2025 CBI tournament took place in Daytona Beach, Florida, from March 22 to March 26
- The CBI is a lower-tier college basketball tournament, falling behind the NCAA Tournament and NIT
- The CBI is a single-elimination tournament, with 16 teams competing
- Teams pay a fee to participate in the CBI, and host games
- The CBI offers a chance for teams to gain experience and showcase their skills
The 2025 CBI tournament took place in Daytona Beach, Florida, from March 22 to March 26
This year's tournament was held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, with 11 teams participating. The teams included the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Cleveland State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Illinois State University. The tournament began with the first and quarterfinal rounds streamed on FloCollege, followed by the semifinal round telecast on ESPNU. The final, which took place on March 26, was telecast on ESPN2.
Illinois State University's men's basketball team advanced to the championship game and defeated Cleveland State University with a score of 79-68. This was Illinois State's first NCAA Division I postseason title. The all-tournament team consisted of outstanding players from both Illinois State and Cleveland State, including Ty Pence, Jordan Pyke, Jalen Rucker, Tahj Staveskie, and Chase Walker.
The CBI tournament is a highly anticipated event that offers fans the opportunity to witness elite college basketball up close. It has a reputation for showcasing rising programs and future professional talent, providing a platform for players to launch successful careers. The tournament also brings excitement and high-stakes postseason college basketball action to the heart of Florida's east coast.
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The CBI is a lower-tier college basketball tournament, falling behind the NCAA Tournament and NIT
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a men's college basketball tournament created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group. It is a lower-tier tournament, falling behind the NCAA Tournament and the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The CBI is a single-elimination tournament that selects 16 teams that are not chosen for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the NIT and are willing to pay an entry fee to participate.
The CBI is often seen as a tertiary tournament, carrying a stigma that makes it unpopular among higher-profile teams. For example, in 2014, Indiana Hoosiers athletic director Fred Glass declined a CBI invitation, stating, "We're Indiana. We don't play in the CBI."
Despite this, the CBI provides an opportunity for teams to extend their season and gain valuable experience. It also gives fans a chance to watch more games and support their favourite teams. The tournament has been broadcast on various platforms over the years, including DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet, CBS Sports Network, and ESPN.
While the NIT is considered the second most prestigious tournament, the CBI is currently in the lead for the third spot due to its seniority. The CBI has been played annually since 2008, except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2025 CBI tournament was a single-elimination, fully-bracketed event featuring 11 NCAA Division I teams and was won by Illinois State.
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The CBI is a single-elimination tournament, with 16 teams competing
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is an annual men's college basketball tournament. The 2025 CBI, which took place from March 22 to 26, was the 17th edition of the tournament. It featured 11 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). The CBI is a single-elimination tournament with 16 teams competing for a championship.
The CBI was created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group, and the inaugural tournament took place after the 2007-08 men's college basketball regular season. The CBI is a chance for teams that were not selected for the NCAA Tournament or the NIT to compete in the postseason. Teams that participate in the CBI must pay an entry fee, which was $27,500 in 2020. The tournament has been held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, since the post-COVID pandemic revival.
Prior to 2021, the CBI was single-elimination until the final two teams were determined. At that point, the tournament format switched to a best two-out-of-three series to determine the champion. In 2020, the CBI was not held. The CBI is often seen as a lower-tier tournament compared to the NCAA Tournament and NIT, and it carries a certain stigma due to its tertiary status. However, it provides valuable experience for young players and gives teams that did not make the other tournaments a chance to continue their season.
The CBI typically features teams that have not had a strong season, and it offers an opportunity for young teams to gain momentum and showcase their skills. Some well-known programs have participated in the CBI in the past, including Virginia, Washington, Utah, Stanford, VCU, Oregon State, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Texas, and Texas A&M. The CBI has also been a platform for teams to build momentum and improve their records, potentially enhancing their chances for selection in the more prestigious tournaments in subsequent years.
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Teams pay a fee to participate in the CBI, and host games
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a men's college basketball tournament created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group. The CBI is a single-elimination tournament that selects sixteen teams that are not selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). These teams must be willing to pay an entry fee of $27,500 to participate.
The CBI was created to capitalise on an opening in the market when the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) reconsolidated to a 32-team field and adopted automatic qualifiers. One of the CBI's distinguishing and controversial features is that it charges schools to participate. Initially, the price was $50,000, but this has been reduced in recent years to $27,500.
Prior to 2020, the CBI was played on the home courts of the participating teams. Teams had to pay $50,000 to host a game, and this fee increased to $75,000 for the right to host a semi-final. Since the post-COVID pandemic revival, the tournament has been staged at a neutral site, the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The CBI has been criticised for the stigma of playing in a tertiary tournament. In 2014, Indiana Hoosiers athletic director Fred Glass declined a CBI invitation, stating: "We're Indiana. We don't play in the CBI." However, the CBI provides an opportunity for young teams to gain experience and continue their season. It also offers a chance for teams to play on their home courts and celebrate a championship win in front of their home crowd, which is a unique feature of the CBI compared to other tournaments.
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The CBI offers a chance for teams to gain experience and showcase their skills
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is an annual men's college basketball tournament that began in 2008. The 2025 CBI, which took place from March 22 to 26, was the 17th edition of the tournament.
The CBI offers a valuable opportunity for teams to gain experience and showcase their skills. It is a chance for teams that are not selected for the NCAA Tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) to continue their season and compete in postseason basketball. This provides young players with more playing time and a platform to develop their skills and gain valuable tournament experience.
The CBI is a single-elimination tournament featuring 16 teams. Prior to 2020, games were played on home courts, but since the post-COVID pandemic revival, the tournament has been held at a central location, with the 2025 edition taking place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. Teams must pay a fee to participate and host games, which can be a significant expense.
Despite the CBI being considered a lower-tier tournament and facing some stigma, it offers a chance for teams to gain momentum and build their programs. It provides a platform for young teams to showcase their potential and continue playing, even if they are not selected for the more prestigious tournaments.
The CBI has featured several historically strong programs, including Virginia, Washington, Utah, Stanford, and Texas. It offers an exciting opportunity for teams to compete and make their mark, providing a valuable experience for players and fans alike.
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Frequently asked questions
I could not find information on a CBI basketball tournament in 2023. However, the 2024 CBI basketball tournament is scheduled to take place from March 23 to March 27.
15 teams will participate in the 2024 CBI basketball tournament.
The 2024 CBI basketball tournament will be held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.
