Kristian Ferrell
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a men's college basketball tournament that was created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group. The tournament occurs annually after the conclusion of the men's college basketball regular season. The CBI selects sixteen teams that are not selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The 2024 Ro College Basketball Invitational tournament will be held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | College Basketball Invitational (CBI) |
| Organizer | The Gazelle Group |
| Tournament Type | Single-elimination tournament |
| Teams | 16 |
| Participants | Teams not selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) |
| Location | Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Year | 2024 |
| Dates | March 23, 2024 |
| Tickets | Available at the Ocean Center box office on game days |
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What You'll Learn
- The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a men's college basketball tournament
- The CBI was created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group, a sports marketing firm
- The CBI selects 16 teams that aren't chosen for the NCAA Division I or NIT tournaments
- Teams must pay a $27,500 entry fee to participate in the CBI
- The CBI tournament has been held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a men's college basketball tournament
The inaugural tournament took place after the 2007-2008 men's college basketball regular season. In its first year, games were broadcast locally on DirecTV and Fox Sports Net, and on the official website. The CBI has since had broadcast partnerships with HDNet (now AXS), CBS Sports Network, and ESPN. From 2016 to 2019, ESPNU televised the best-of-three Championship Series.
Prior to 2020, CBI teams competed on their home courts. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament has been held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The 2023 CBI introduced NIL funding of $40,000, with $25,000 going to the champion, $10,000 to the runner-up, and $2,500 to each semifinalist.
The College Basketball Invitational should not be confused with the Ro College Basketball Invitational, which is also a men's college basketball tournament. The Ro CBI also takes place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, with tickets available for purchase on game days.
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The CBI was created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group, a sports marketing firm
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a men's college basketball tournament. It was created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group, a sports marketing firm based in Princeton, New Jersey. The Gazelle Group has been in the business for almost 30 years and is known for producing several nationally recognised college sports events. These include the Empire Classic, Legends Classic, the Gotham Classic, the Sunshine Slam, the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off, and on-campus events across the country.
The inaugural CBI tournament took place after the 2007-2008 men's college basketball regular season. The CBI selects sixteen teams that are not chosen for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). These teams pay a $27,500 entry fee to participate. Before 2020, the CBI was played on the home courts of the competing teams. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was revived and held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The CBI is a single-elimination tournament. Prior to 2021, it employed a best two-out-of-three format to determine the champion after the final two teams were decided. The CBI has had several television partners over the years, including DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet (now AXS), CBS Sports Network, and ESPN. Despite providing teams with an opportunity to extend their season, the CBI and similar tournaments are often unpopular among higher-profile teams due to the stigma associated with playing in a tertiary tournament.
The Gazelle Group, founded by a Princeton University graduate, Giles, has been instrumental in creating a successful business in men's college basketball. Giles worked on Wall Street and for IMG's television and events division before starting the Gazelle Group. The company provides comprehensive services to its clients, including contract negotiation, sales and marketing, media and public relations, and financial advisor selection.
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The CBI selects 16 teams that aren't chosen for the NCAA Division I or NIT tournaments
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a single-elimination, fully-bracketed men's college basketball postseason tournament. The CBI selects 16 teams that aren't chosen for the NCAA Division I or NIT tournaments. The CBI is one of four postseason tournaments, and its field is strictly made up of mid-major programs. While these tournaments provide a chance for teams to continue their season, they are often unpopular among higher-profile teams due to the stigma of playing in a tertiary tournament. 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."
The CBI typically features around 11-12 teams, with the number varying slightly from year to year. The teams that participate in the CBI are those that are not selected to participate in the NCAA Division I or NIT tournaments. The CBI is a chance for these teams to continue their season and compete for a postseason title.
The CBI is organised by the Gazelle Group, who offer a wide array of event sponsorship opportunities for businesses. The tournament has been broadcast on various platforms over the years, including DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet (now AXS), CBS Sports Network, and ESPN.
The CBI follows a standard bracket format, with teams competing in rounds until a champion is crowned. The inaugural tournament in 2008 featured an opening round, a second round, semifinals, and a best-of-three championship series. The bracketing is typically done in east, west, south, and midwest regions.
The CBI has been running since 2008 and has provided an opportunity for teams to extend their season and compete for a title. While it may not carry the same prestige as the NCAA or NIT tournaments, it is still a competitive and exciting event for the participating teams and their fans.
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Teams must pay a $27,500 entry fee to participate in the CBI
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a postseason tournament for teams not picked in the NCAA tournament or the NIT. Teams must pay a $27,500 entry fee to participate in the CBI. The CBI is operated by The Gazelle Group, which runs several other basketball events, including the Barstool Sports Invitational, Empire Classic, Gotham Classic, Legends Classic, and Tribute Classic. Teams that participate in these in-season events automatically qualify for the CBI as long as they finish .500 or better.
The CBI tournament has been criticized by some higher-profile teams and individuals due to the stigma of playing in a tertiary tournament. 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.
The CBI tournament has seen success, with most of its winners being mid-major teams. Notable champions include UNC-Wilmington, Pepperdine, South Florida, North Texas, and Wyoming. In 2015, Loyola (Chicago) won the tournament, and their then-coach Porter Moser credited the CBI as a launching pad that helped the program reach the Final Four just three years later.
The CBI tournament has also seen some controversies, such as the confusion caused by the NCAA's failure to communicate with programs invited to the NIT in 2025. This resulted in UC Riverside initially committing to the CBI while also being invited to the NIT, which is not permitted under NCAA rules. Ultimately, UC Riverside declined their invitation to the CBI and participated in the NIT, leading to a last-minute change in the NIT bracket.
Overall, the CBI tournament provides a valuable opportunity for teams to continue their season and compete at a high level. The $27,500 entry fee is a significant investment, but the potential benefits of participating in the tournament can be substantial for teams looking to build their programs and gain valuable experience.
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The CBI tournament has been held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida
The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a men's college basketball tournament that was created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group, a sports marketing firm specialising in event production and management. The CBI is a single-elimination tournament that selects sixteen teams that are not chosen for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). These teams pay a $27,500 entry fee to participate.
Prior to 2020, the CBI was held on the home courts of the competing teams. However, after the post-COVID pandemic revival, the tournament has been held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The 2025 CBI, for example, was played at the Ocean Center, with the first and quarterfinal rounds streamed on FloCollege, the semifinal round telecast on ESPNU, and the final telecast on ESPN2.
The CBI has faced some challenges in recent years due to the stigma associated with playing in a tertiary tournament. Higher-profile teams often view it as a lesser tournament and may decline invitations. 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 important opportunity for teams to extend their season and compete on a national stage. The tournament has been broadcast on various television networks over the years, including DirecTV, Fox Sports Net, HDNet (now AXS), CBS Sports Network, and ESPNU.
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Frequently asked questions
The RO Basketball Tournament is the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Tournament.
The CBI is a men's college basketball tournament created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group.
The CBI selects 16 teams that are not selected for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
After the post-COVID pandemic revival, the tournament has been staged at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.
![Tournament [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81gd29F1tXL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
