Baylor, Minnesota Vie for College Basketball Crown in Vegas

Quarterfinal matchup offers $50,000 prize, exposure for young teams

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:51am

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Baylor and Minnesota will face off in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Crown tournament in Las Vegas, competing for a $50,000 prize and the chance to advance to the semifinals where the winner is guaranteed $100,000. Both teams are looking to end their seasons on a high note after up-and-down regular seasons marked by injuries and roster challenges.

Why it matters

This tournament provides a unique postseason opportunity for teams that didn't make the NCAA Tournament, offering significant financial incentives and exposure to scouts and media. For young, rebuilding programs like Baylor and Minnesota, the chance to compete in a high-profile event and potentially win a sizable NIL prize could be a springboard to future success.

The details

Baylor (16-16) and Minnesota (15-17) have each dealt with inconsistency and injuries this season, but now have the chance to compete for a $500,000 NIL prize pool in the College Basketball Crown tournament. The quarterfinal winner will receive $50,000, while the semifinal victors are guaranteed $100,000. The overall champion collects an additional $200,000.

  • The quarterfinal matchup between Baylor and Minnesota will take place on Wednesday, April 2, 2026 in Las Vegas.
  • The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The championship game is set for Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Scott Drew

The head coach of the Baylor Bears, leading the team to the College Basketball Crown quarterfinals.

Niko Medved

The head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, guiding his team to the postseason tournament despite a challenging regular season.

Cameron Carr

The leading scorer for Baylor, averaging 19.2 points per game.

Tounde Yessoufou

Baylor's second-leading scorer, averaging 17.8 points per game.

Cade Tyson

Minnesota's top scorer, averaging 19.6 points per game.

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What they’re saying

“Every postseason experience is a blessing — and what I mean by that is not many people get a chance to play this time of year. There will be a lot of eyes, a lot of attention, a lot of scouts, a lot of opportunities for our guys.”

— Scott Drew, Baylor Head Coach

“It's a great opportunity for us. I asked the guys what they wanted to do, and they wanted to play. Vegas, baby. Let's go.”

— Niko Medved, Minnesota Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of Wednesday's quarterfinal matchup between Baylor and Minnesota will advance to the semifinals on Saturday, April 5, 2026, where they are guaranteed a $100,000 prize. The championship game is set for Sunday, April 6, 2026, with the winner collecting an additional $200,000.

The takeaway

This College Basketball Crown tournament provides a unique opportunity for teams like Baylor and Minnesota to compete for significant financial incentives and exposure, even after missing out on the NCAA Tournament. For young, rebuilding programs, the chance to end their seasons on a high note and potentially springboard to future success makes this a valuable postseason event.