College Basketball Crown Tournament Set for Las Vegas

The eight-team bracket for the College Basketball Crown tournament is finalized, promising exciting matchups and showcasing some of college basketball’s brightest stars. The single-elimination tournament will take place at MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with first-round games tipping off on April 1-2.

Tournament Details & Prize Pool

The semifinals are scheduled for April 4, culminating in the championship game on April 5. A significant $500,000 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) prize pool is on the line, adding extra incentive for players to perform at their best. The competing teams include Oklahoma, Colorado, Baylor, Minnesota, Stanford, West Virginia, Rutgers, and Creighton.

Top 10 Players to Watch

1. Kanaan Carlyle (Stanford)

The 6-foot-2 guard from New Hampshire is an elite scorer, averaging 22.8 points per game – eighth-highest in Division I. He reached 30+ points seven times this season, including a 40-point performance against Georgia Tech on February 7. Carlyle is poised to lead Stanford with his scoring prowess.

2. Ja’Kobe Carr (Baylor)

After transferring from Tennessee, Carr has made an immediate impact at Baylor. The 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore leads the Bears with 19.2 points per game, alongside 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks. He’s shooting 51% from the field and 39% from three-point range.

3. Ibrahima Yessoufou (Colorado)

The five-star recruit from Benin has lived up to expectations in his first year, averaging 17.8 points and 5.8 rebounds. Named All-Big 12 honorable mention, Yessoufou boasts impressive physical strength but can be inconsistent defensively. He scored a season-high 37 points against BYU.

4. KJ Hargress (Colorado)

With Isaiah Johnson reportedly entering the transfer portal, Hargress has a significant opportunity to step up. The 6-foot-1 junior guard averaged 14.2 points and a team-best 4.5 assists for the Buffaloes. He recently had an 18-point, nine-rebound, four-assist game against Oklahoma State.

5. Trey Dix (Creighton)

Dix transferred to Creighton after three seasons at Iowa and has become a key player, averaging a team-high 13 points per game. He recently had a standout performance with 21 points and eight rebounds in a win over UConn on February 18.

6. Cam Tyson (Minnesota)

Tyson, now on his third collegiate stop, is the Gophers’ most consistent offensive threat, averaging a team-high 19.6 points per game. He’s an above-average three-point shooter, connecting on 42% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

7. Derek Francis (Rutgers)

The junior guard from Pittsburgh is a crafty scorer who led the Scarlet Knights with 16.9 points per game. Francis scored 30+ points on three occasions and had a 29-point performance against Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament.

8. Jesse Huff (West Virginia)

Huff is one of the top three-point shooters in the tournament and in West Virginia program history. He knocked down 109 three-pointers this season, ranking third in the Big 12, and led the Mountaineers in scoring with 15.8 points per game.

9. Jalon Pick (Oklahoma)

A sixth-year senior with a diverse collegiate career, Pick has totaled over 2,300 points. He led the Sooners in scoring this season, averaging 16.5 points per game while shooting 47% from the field and 45% from three-point range.

10. Milos Uzan (Oklahoma)

After transferring from S. Joe's, Uzan became a full-time starter for Oklahoma, averaging 15.3 points per game. He led the Sooners in both assists and steals, shooting 46% from the field.