ORLANDO — For the third consecutive campaign and fifth time in head coach Johnny Dawkins’ nine-season tenure, the UCF men’s basketball team will take part in a postseason tournament. The Knights will play in the inaugural College Basketball Crown, a 16-team postseason, single-elimination tournament that takes place in Las Vegas from March 31-April 6.
The Knights (17-16) will open the tournament against Oregon State (20-12), the first matchup against the Beavers in program history, on April 1 at 5:30 p.m. The winner of the single-elimination game faces the winner of Cincinnati and DePaul.
The College Basketball Crown is a bold new chapter in college hoops, designed to bring high-level competition to fans during one of the most thrilling times of the year. The CBC runs from Monday, March 31 to Sunday, April 6 – with all the action airing on FOX and FS1.
Featuring the top two teams from the Big Ten, BIG EAST and Big 12 Conferences that do not qualify for the NCAA Tournament – along with additional at-large bids chosen by committee – the CBC delivers high-level hoops, showcasing the sport’s most recognizable athletes and brands.
Las Vegas serves as the exclusive host for the entire tournament, with unique hotel and travel sponsors provide first-class athlete experiences. The first round and quarterfinals will be hosted at MGM Grand Garden Arena and will be televised on FS1. The semifinals and championship will be hosted in T-Mobile Arena and be broadcast on FOX.
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Here is the schedule:
at MGM Grand Garden Arena on FS1
First Round
Monday, March 31
Game 1 _ Utah vs. Butler, 3 p.m.
Game 2 _ George Washington vs. Boise State, 5:30 p.m.
Game 3 _ Nebraska vs. Arizona State, 8:30 p.m.
Game 4 _ Georgetown vs. Washington State, 11 p.m.
Tuesday, April 1
Game 5 _ DePaul vs. Cincinnati, 3 p.m.
Game 6 _ Oregon State vs. UCF, 5:30 p.m.
Game 7 _ Colorado vs. Villanova, 8:30 p.m.
Game 8 _ Tulane vs. USC, 11 p.m.
Second Round
Wednesday, April 2
Game 9 _ Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 10 _ Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 3
Game 11 _ Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 12 _ Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9:30 p.m.
at T-Mobile Arena on FOX
Semifinals
Saturday, April 5
Game 13 _ Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 14 _ Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 9:30 p.m.
ChampionshipFinal
Sunday, April 6
Game 15 _ Semifinal winners, 5:30 p.m.
