CBI

The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a men's college basketball tournament created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group. The inaugural tournament occurred after the conclusion of the 2007–08 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), and who are willing to pay a $27,500 entry fee to participate. In the CBI, prior to 2020 teams competed on home courts. After the post-COVID pandemic revival, the tournament has been staged at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The CBI is a single-elimination tournament (prior to 2021, the tournament was single elimination until the final two teams were determined, after which the championship was determined by a championship series with a best two-out-of-three format). Since the tournament's 2021 revival and adoption of the single-site format, the championship is also determined by a single game. In 2023, the CBI introduced NIL funding of $40,000 to be distributed in the following manner: $25,000 to the champion, $10,000 to the runner-up, and $2,500 to each semifinalist.

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. In 2014, Indiana Hoosiers athletic director Fred Glass declined a CBI invitation. He expressed, "We're Indiana. We don't play in the CBI."

The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a prestigious postseason tournament that showcases some of the best college basketball teams in the United States. Established in 2008, the CBI provides an opportunity for teams that may not have qualified for the NCAA Tournament or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) to compete at a high level and gain valuable postseason experience.

The tournament features a unique format, typically consisting of 16 teams, which are selected based on their performance during the regular season and conference tournaments. The CBI emphasizes inclusivity, allowing a diverse range of programs from various conferences to participate, making it a platform for emerging talent and underdog stories.

Games are played in a best-of-three series format in the early rounds, culminating in a championship game that determines the tournament champion. The CBI not only highlights the skill and determination of student-athletes but also fosters school spirit and community engagement, as fans rally behind their teams in pursuit of a coveted championship title.

With its focus on competitive play and the development of young athletes, the CBI has become an integral part of the college basketball landscape, providing thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments for players and fans alike.