Kristian Ferrell
CBI stands for the College Basketball Invitational, a men's college basketball postseason tournament. The CBI is a single-elimination, fully-bracketed tournament featuring 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 is often unpopular among higher-profile teams due to the stigma of playing in a tertiary tournament. However, it provides an opportunity for mid-major teams to extend their seasons and gain experience. The tournament has been televised by various networks, including ESPN and CBS Sports Network.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | College Basketball Invitational |
| Tournament Format | Single-elimination, fully-bracketed |
| Tournament Duration | 5 days |
| Number of Teams | 16 |
| Location | Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Participating Teams | National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I 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) |
| NIL Funding | $40,000 distributed among the champion, runner-up, and semifinalists |
| Television Partners | ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN2, DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet, CBS Sports Network |
| Notable Participants | Illinois State, Cleveland State, Jacksonville, Manhattan, Northern Arizona, Queens, Florida Gulf Coast, UNC Wilmington, High Point, FAU |
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What You'll Learn
CBI is the College Basketball Invitational
CBI stands for the College Basketball Invitational, a men's college basketball postseason tournament. The CBI is a single-elimination, fully-bracketed tournament featuring teams from Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 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 is an opportunity for teams to continue their season and showcase their skills, providing an exciting opportunity for those not selected for the NCAA tournament.
The tournament was first held in 2008 and was the first new postseason tournament since the Collegiate Commissioners Association Tournament in 1974. The CBI was revived in 2021 and adopted a single-site format, with the championship determined by a single game. The 2025 CBI, the 17th edition of the tournament, took place from March 22 to 26 at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, and featured 11 teams. Illinois State won the 2025 CBI, defeating Cleveland State in the final by a score of 79-68 to claim their first NCAA Division I postseason title.
The CBI has grown into a premier postseason event for mid-major league representatives to extend their seasons and gain momentum for future NCAA Tournaments. While the tournament provides valuable experience for young players and an opportunity for fans to see their teams compete against similar records, it is often unpopular among higher-profile teams due to the stigma of playing in a tertiary tournament. Some teams, such as Indiana Hoosiers, have declined invitations to the CBI in the past due to this stigma.
The CBI has had various television partnerships throughout its history, with games being broadcast on different networks such as DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet (later AXS), CBS Sports Network, and ESPN. The championship series of the CBI has been exclusively televised by ESPN since 2016, with the best-of-three format being shown on ESPNU from 2016 to 2019 and the final telecast on ESPN2 in 2025.
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CBI is a tournament for men's college basketball teams
CBI stands for College Basketball Invitational. It is a tournament for men's college basketball teams, specifically National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams. The CBI is a single-elimination, fully-bracketed tournament that usually features 16 teams, although the 2025 edition featured 11 teams. The tournament is played over five days, with the first two days of games starting at 11 am, the third day at noon, the fourth day at 7 pm, and the final game at 5 pm.
The CBI is a chance for teams that did not qualify for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), or the College Basketball Crown (CBC) to continue their season and showcase their skills. The CBI is often unpopular among higher-profile teams due to the stigma of playing in a tertiary tournament. However, it provides an exciting opportunity for mid-major teams to extend their seasons and gain momentum for future NCAA Tournaments.
The CBI was first held in 2008, and it was the first new postseason tournament since the Collegiate Commissioners Association Tournament in 1974. The tournament was revived in 2021 with the adoption of a single-site format, and the championship is determined by a single game. The 2025 edition of the CBI was won by Illinois State, who defeated Cleveland State in the final and claimed their first NCAA Division I postseason title.
The CBI has had several television partners over the years, including DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet (now AXS), CBS Sports Network, and ESPN. The best-of-three Championship Series from 2016 to 2019 was televised on ESPNU.
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The CBI tournament is for teams not selected for the NCAA tournament
The CBI, or College Basketball Invitational, is a single-elimination, fully-bracketed men's college basketball postseason tournament. It is an opportunity for teams not selected for the NCAA tournament to compete and showcase their skills. The CBI is often seen as a tertiary tournament, with some higher-profile teams and athletes declining invitations due to the stigma of participating in a lower-tier competition. However, it provides a platform for mid-major conference teams to extend their seasons and build momentum for future NCAA tournaments.
The CBI tournament is organised by the Gazelle Group, which offers a range of event sponsorship opportunities for businesses. The tournament has been televised by various networks over the years, including DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet (now AXS), CBS Sports Network, and ESPN. The most recent edition of the tournament, in 2025, featured 11 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams that were not selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), or the College Basketball Crown (CBC).
The CBI tournament is known to provide a second chance for teams to continue their season and compete at a high level. It offers a substantial amount of NIL funding, with $40,000 distributed among the participants in 2023. The tournament has also served as a springboard for teams to gain experience and improve their chances of success in future NCAA tournaments. For example, the 2022 CBI champion, UNC Wilmington, appeared in the 2025 NCAA Tournament field, and FAU, returning with their 2022 CBI roster, made it to the Final Four in 2023.
The CBI tournament is separate from the NCAA Tournament and the NIT, and participation in multiple postseason tournaments is not permitted under NCAA rules. This was evident in the case of UC Riverside, who initially committed to playing in the 2025 CBI but later accepted an invitation to the NIT. The CBI has become the premier postseason event for mid-major league teams to showcase their talent and extend their seasons.
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The CBI tournament has a single-elimination format
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a single-elimination, fully-bracketed men's college basketball postseason tournament. The CBI is an opportunity for teams 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) to compete and showcase their skills.
The CBI tournament typically features 16 teams from across the country, although the 2025 CBI included 11 teams. These teams are often mid-major conference schools, which use the CBI as a platform to extend their seasons and gain momentum for future NCAA Tournaments. The CBI offers a second chance for teams that did not qualify for the NCAA tournament, providing an exciting opportunity to make their mark in postseason play.
The single-elimination format of the CBI tournament creates a unique dynamic where every game is a do-or-die situation. This format differs from other tournament formats, such as the NIT, which has a double-elimination format, allowing teams to lose one game without being eliminated. The CBI's single-elimination structure adds an extra layer of intensity and urgency to each game, as teams know that a single loss can end their tournament run.
While the CBI provides valuable experience and exposure for participating teams, it is often viewed as a tertiary tournament. Some higher-profile teams may decline CBI invitations due to the stigma associated with playing in a lower-tier tournament. Despite this, the CBI offers a competitive platform for teams to develop and showcase their talent, with the potential to gain momentum and improve their standing for future seasons.
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The CBI tournament offers a chance for teams to gain experience
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a single-elimination, fully-bracketed men's college basketball postseason tournament. It features top mid-major conference teams, which 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 offers a chance for teams to gain experience and showcase their skills, providing an exciting opportunity for those not selected for the NCAA tournament to make their mark and continue to compete.
The CBI tournament is often seen as a tertiary tournament and may carry a certain stigma for higher-profile teams. However, it provides a valuable platform for teams to gain experience and build momentum. Young players can benefit from the extra playing time, and teams can use the CBI as a springboard to gain more recognition and improve their chances of selection for future NCAA Tournaments.
The CBI tournament format allows teams to extend their season and gain additional game experience. This can be particularly beneficial for teams with young players who are still learning and developing. The tournament structure, with single-elimination and fully-bracketed rounds, offers a competitive environment for teams to test their skills and strategies.
The CBI also offers a financial incentive, with NIL funding introduced in 2023. The champion team receives $25,000, the runner-up $10,000, and each semifinalist $2,500. While the monetary rewards may not be substantial, they can contribute to the overall experience and impact of the tournament for the participating teams.
Overall, the CBI tournament presents a valuable opportunity for teams to gain experience, build momentum, and showcase their skills on a wider platform. It provides a second chance for teams that did not qualify for the NCAA or NIT tournaments, allowing them to extend their season and make a mark in postseason college basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
CBI stands for College Basketball Invitational. It is a single-elimination, fully-bracketed men's college basketball postseason tournament.
The CBI tournament began in 2008 and was the first new postseason tournament since the Collegiate Commissioners Association Tournament in 1974.
The CBI is for 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 17th CBI tournament took place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, from March 22 to March 26.
