Bracket Busters CBI Tournament Challenge
You didn't ask for it, but we made it. Welcome to the first annual Bracket Busters CBI Tournament Challenge.
The 16th Annual CBI Tournament is here and we are bringing you what might be the only CBI Bracket Challenge that exists. You can fill out your CBI Bracket here. You can view the field below:
We will post status updates as the games move on. The first game tips off this weekend on March 23! There’s some intriguing teams in this year’s bracket:
Chicago State joined in what was obviously a way to bring attention to the tournament. Chicago State is 12-18 on the season, but they’ve won the hearts of many college basketball fans as the only current independent team. However, you might remember that they secured an AP Top 25 win this year over #25 Northwestern.
Presbyterian and Evansville are both two of the most improved teams in the country this season. Both finished 5-27 last year, but the Blue Hose finished 14-18 in the Big South this season and the Purple Aces 16-17 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
High Point was the Big South favorites before they were upset by the eventual winner of the Big South Tournament in Longwood. The Panthers are the clear favorite to win the CBI this year. Had the NIT not changed their rules, the Panthers would be playing this week in the first round of the NIT since they won the regular season title in the Big South, but lost in the tournament.
Arkansas State, Little Rock, Fairfield, and Seattle U have all flown under the radar in their respective conferences. Little Rock, Arkansas State, and Fairfield all lost in their conference tournament championships, while Seattle U fought hard against Grand Canyon in the WAC semifinals, but fell short.
Quinnipiac started the year off on fire, going 19-4 in their first 23 games before dropping 4 straight. The Bobcats enter the CBI 24-9 on the season where they won the regular season title in the MAAC. Similar to High Point, had the NIT not changed their rules, the Bobcats would have been appearing in their first NIT.
While many people don’t even know this tournament exists, this is a great Mid-Major postseason tournament for teams that missed the NCAA Tournament and the NIT. The incentive for these schools is exposure on ESPN 2 should they make the semifinals or championship game.
Make sure to tune in on March 23rd as the games tip off and enter our CBI Tournament Bracket Challenge here.