College Basketball Crown could be next for Nebraska basketball

Nebraska basketball head coach Fred Hoiberg was adamant on Sunday that the Huskers would accept a big to postseason play, which is coming after a 17-14 regular season.

Many Nebraska basketball fans have assumed that the Huskers would play in the NIT. However, that’s not a guarantee, and that’s not a bad thing.

The NIT has long been the top postseason tournament for college basketball, outside of the NCAA tournament, but the College Basketball Crown is trying to supplant it.

The College Basketball Crown is a 16-team tournament that is supposed to feature the top two non-NCAA tournament teams from the Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East.

That could take teams that were headed to the NIT previously to the CBC. The tournament is broadcast by Fox and Fox Sports 1, partners of the Big Ten, so it seems like Nebraska basketball will be headed to this tournament instead of the NIT.

College Basketball Crown could be the destination for Nebraska basketball

Robin Washut of Husker Online also reported that a source within the program communicated that The Crown was the most likely destination.

The top two teams from the ACC and SEC are guaranteed berths into the NIT, as well as the top non-NCAA team from the top 12 leagues (based on metrics). It will be interesting to see what teams do since they don’t have to accept an NIT bid.

It’s possible for Nebraska basketball to make either tournament. However, it feels like the Huskers will be one of the top two non-NCAA tournament teams from the Big Ten. That means the College Basketball Crown would be the destination.

10 at-large berths are likely also headed to power-4 programs, so it could be a fun alternative to the NIT. The biggest issue is the timing of it. March 31 – April 6 is the timeframe in Las Vegas, which isn’t great for the transfer portal. You wonder how many Nebraska basketball players will remain on the roster, but if the Huskers can field a team, it’s an exciting proposition.

Plenty of fans just want to move on from this season, and I get it. But if I can watch Brice Williams and Juwan Gary another time or two in a Nebraska uniform, I’d love the chance to see it and watch this team chase a 20-win season as well as a postseason championship.

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