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The Crown 2026: The full field revealed for men’s college basketball tournament for NIL

The Crown 2026: The full field revealed for men’s college basketball tournament for NIL

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The Crown has replaced the NIT as college basketball’s second-best postseason tournament. In its second year in existence, the has brought in many of the biggest March Madness snubs to produce a strong eight-team field with NIL money up for grabs.

The Oklahoma Sooners just missed out on the field of 68, and now they will headline The Crown with a first-round game against Colorado. The winner advances to the semifinals to play the winner of the Baylor Bears vs. the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Stanford headlines the other side of the bracket. Will stud freshman point guard Ebuka Okorie play? The Cardinal will be must-watch if so in their opening round matchup against West Virginia. The winner of that game faces the winner of Creighton vs. Rutgers in the other semifinal.

The Crown has trimmed from 16 teams to eight teams in its second-year. Last season, it offered $300K in NIL money for the winner, $100K for the runner-up, and $50K for semifinalists. We’ll update this post when the purse comes out for this season.

Here’s the full look at the bracket:

The Crown starts on Wednesday, April 1 with Oklahoma vs. Colorado at 8 p.m. ET, followed by Baylor vs. Minnesota. The other team games will happen the next day on Thursday, April 2. All games take place in Las Vegas, and will be broadcast on either Fox or FSI.

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Deadspin | Raptors win low-scoring Game 4 over Cavaliers to level series Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) tries to steal the ball from Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes each scored 23 points Sunday afternoon and the Toronto Raptors held off the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 93-89, to even the best-of-seven first-round playoff series at 2-2. Game 5 of the series is Wednesday at Cleveland. RJ Barrett added 18 points for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles scored 15 with 10 rebounds. Jakob Poeltl contributed 10 points. Donovan Mitchell scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Cleveland. James Harden added 19 points but had seven turnovers. Jarrett Allen had three points and 15 rebounds, and Sam Merrill contributed 14 points. Toronto led by two points entering the fourth quarter. Barrett’s 10-foot floater gave Toronto a six-point lead with 9:28 to play. Mitchell drained a 3-pointer to tie the game at 74 and he made another 3-pointer that gave Cleveland a six-point lead with 5:14 left. The lead reached eight on Mitchell’s two made free throws with 4:55 left. Ingram’s 3-pointer cut the lead to two with 2:36 to play but Merrill answered with a 3-pointer. Barrett’s bank shot cut the margin to one with 49 seconds to go. After a Cleveland turnover, Barnes made two free throws to give Toronto a one-point lead. Mitchell missed a floater and Ingram grabbed the rebound with 23 seconds left. Barnes made two free throws before Mitchell missed a would-be game-tying 3-pointer. Barrett made one free throw to bump the lead to four and Merrill hit a 22-foot jumper to cut the lead to two before Barnes sealed the game with 3.8 seconds left on two free throws. Cleveland led 17-14 after a sloppy first quarter. Toronto was 0-for-14 from 3-point range before Barrett hit one with 8:31 remaining in the second quarter to cut the deficit to four. After Cleveland took an eight-point lead on Mitchell’s 3-pointer, Toronto finished the first half on a 10-0 run capped by Ingram’s 3-pointer to take a 38-36 lead into the break. The first half featured poor shooting from both teams. Cleveland shot 33.3% (15 of 45) from the field and Toronto shot 27.8% (15 of 54). Harden converted two free throws to give Cleveland an eight-point lead with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter. Toronto chipped away and took a one-point lead on Sandro Mamukelashvili’s layup with 45 seconds left. Toronto led 60-58 after three quarters. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Raptors #win #lowscoring #Game #Cavaliers #level #seriesApr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) tries to steal the ball from Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes each scored 23 points Sunday afternoon and the Toronto Raptors held off the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 93-89, to even the best-of-seven first-round playoff series at 2-2.

Game 5 of the series is Wednesday at Cleveland.

RJ Barrett added 18 points for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles scored 15 with 10 rebounds. Jakob Poeltl contributed 10 points.

Donovan Mitchell scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Cleveland. James Harden added 19 points but had seven turnovers. Jarrett Allen had three points and 15 rebounds, and Sam Merrill contributed 14 points.

Toronto led by two points entering the fourth quarter. Barrett’s 10-foot floater gave Toronto a six-point lead with 9:28 to play. Mitchell drained a 3-pointer to tie the game at 74 and he made another 3-pointer that gave Cleveland a six-point lead with 5:14 left.

The lead reached eight on Mitchell’s two made free throws with 4:55 left. Ingram’s 3-pointer cut the lead to two with 2:36 to play but Merrill answered with a 3-pointer.


Barrett’s bank shot cut the margin to one with 49 seconds to go. After a Cleveland turnover, Barnes made two free throws to give Toronto a one-point lead. Mitchell missed a floater and Ingram grabbed the rebound with 23 seconds left. Barnes made two free throws before Mitchell missed a would-be game-tying 3-pointer.

Barrett made one free throw to bump the lead to four and Merrill hit a 22-foot jumper to cut the lead to two before Barnes sealed the game with 3.8 seconds left on two free throws.

Cleveland led 17-14 after a sloppy first quarter.

Toronto was 0-for-14 from 3-point range before Barrett hit one with 8:31 remaining in the second quarter to cut the deficit to four. After Cleveland took an eight-point lead on Mitchell’s 3-pointer, Toronto finished the first half on a 10-0 run capped by Ingram’s 3-pointer to take a 38-36 lead into the break.

The first half featured poor shooting from both teams. Cleveland shot 33.3% (15 of 45) from the field and Toronto shot 27.8% (15 of 54).

Harden converted two free throws to give Cleveland an eight-point lead with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter. Toronto chipped away and took a one-point lead on Sandro Mamukelashvili’s layup with 45 seconds left. Toronto led 60-58 after three quarters.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Raptors #win #lowscoring #Game #Cavaliers #level #series">Deadspin | Raptors win low-scoring Game 4 over Cavaliers to level series Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) tries to steal the ball from Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes each scored 23 points Sunday afternoon and the Toronto Raptors held off the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 93-89, to even the best-of-seven first-round playoff series at 2-2. Game 5 of the series is Wednesday at Cleveland. RJ Barrett added 18 points for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles scored 15 with 10 rebounds. Jakob Poeltl contributed 10 points. Donovan Mitchell scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Cleveland. James Harden added 19 points but had seven turnovers. Jarrett Allen had three points and 15 rebounds, and Sam Merrill contributed 14 points. Toronto led by two points entering the fourth quarter. Barrett’s 10-foot floater gave Toronto a six-point lead with 9:28 to play. Mitchell drained a 3-pointer to tie the game at 74 and he made another 3-pointer that gave Cleveland a six-point lead with 5:14 left. The lead reached eight on Mitchell’s two made free throws with 4:55 left. Ingram’s 3-pointer cut the lead to two with 2:36 to play but Merrill answered with a 3-pointer. Barrett’s bank shot cut the margin to one with 49 seconds to go. After a Cleveland turnover, Barnes made two free throws to give Toronto a one-point lead. Mitchell missed a floater and Ingram grabbed the rebound with 23 seconds left. Barnes made two free throws before Mitchell missed a would-be game-tying 3-pointer. Barrett made one free throw to bump the lead to four and Merrill hit a 22-foot jumper to cut the lead to two before Barnes sealed the game with 3.8 seconds left on two free throws. Cleveland led 17-14 after a sloppy first quarter. Toronto was 0-for-14 from 3-point range before Barrett hit one with 8:31 remaining in the second quarter to cut the deficit to four. After Cleveland took an eight-point lead on Mitchell’s 3-pointer, Toronto finished the first half on a 10-0 run capped by Ingram’s 3-pointer to take a 38-36 lead into the break. The first half featured poor shooting from both teams. Cleveland shot 33.3% (15 of 45) from the field and Toronto shot 27.8% (15 of 54). Harden converted two free throws to give Cleveland an eight-point lead with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter. Toronto chipped away and took a one-point lead on Sandro Mamukelashvili’s layup with 45 seconds left. Toronto led 60-58 after three quarters. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Raptors #win #lowscoring #Game #Cavaliers #level #series

Deadspin | Bruins F Viktor Arvidsson (upper body) won’t return vs. Sabres Apr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Viktor Arvidsson (71) skates against Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images The Boston Bruins said forward Viktor Arvidsson won’t return to Game 4 of the team’s Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. Arvidsson appeared to be hurt after receiving a hard check from Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson in his left arm during the first period. Arvidsson, 33, had 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 69 regular-season games in his first season with Boston. He was tied for the team lead with two playoff goals, netting both during the Bruins’ Game 2 victory. The Bruins trailed the series two games to one and surrendered a 4-0 lead to the Sabres after one period. The Sabres were in front 5-0 early in the third. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bruins #Viktor #Arvidsson #upper #body #wont #return #SabresApr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Viktor Arvidsson (71) skates against Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Boston Bruins said forward Viktor Arvidsson won’t return to Game 4 of the team’s Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.

Arvidsson appeared to be hurt after receiving a hard check from Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson in his left arm during the first period.


Arvidsson, 33, had 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 69 regular-season games in his first season with Boston. He was tied for the team lead with two playoff goals, netting both during the Bruins’ Game 2 victory.

The Bruins trailed the series two games to one and surrendered a 4-0 lead to the Sabres after one period. The Sabres were in front 5-0 early in the third.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bruins #Viktor #Arvidsson #upper #body #wont #return #Sabres">Deadspin | Bruins F Viktor Arvidsson (upper body) won’t return vs. Sabres Apr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Viktor Arvidsson (71) skates against Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images The Boston Bruins said forward Viktor Arvidsson won’t return to Game 4 of the team’s Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. Arvidsson appeared to be hurt after receiving a hard check from Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson in his left arm during the first period. Arvidsson, 33, had 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 69 regular-season games in his first season with Boston. He was tied for the team lead with two playoff goals, netting both during the Bruins’ Game 2 victory. The Bruins trailed the series two games to one and surrendered a 4-0 lead to the Sabres after one period. The Sabres were in front 5-0 early in the third. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bruins #Viktor #Arvidsson #upper #body #wont #return #Sabres

Deadspin | 2-time Super Bowl champion OT Donovan Smith announces retirement Feb 10, 2021; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Donovan Smith dances with the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a boat parade to celebrate victory in Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images Nine-year veteran offensive tackle Donovan Smith announced his retirement from football on Sunday. Smith played 136 games in his NFL career. He was a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was immediately plugged into the starting lineup and was a PFWA All-Rookie selection. He would go on to play eight seasons for the Buccaneers. Most notably, he was a starter on the team that won Super Bowl LV. The Buccaneers released Smith in March of 2023. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he concluded his career by winning his second Super Bowl ring. He went unsigned for the entire 2025 season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #2time #Super #Bowl #champion #Donovan #Smith #announces #retirementFeb 10, 2021; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Donovan Smith dances with the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a boat parade to celebrate victory in Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Nine-year veteran offensive tackle Donovan Smith announced his retirement from football on Sunday.

Smith played 136 games in his NFL career. He was a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was immediately plugged into the starting lineup and was a PFWA All-Rookie selection.


He would go on to play eight seasons for the Buccaneers. Most notably, he was a starter on the team that won Super Bowl LV.

The Buccaneers released Smith in March of 2023. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he concluded his career by winning his second Super Bowl ring.

He went unsigned for the entire 2025 season.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #2time #Super #Bowl #champion #Donovan #Smith #announces #retirement">Deadspin | 2-time Super Bowl champion OT Donovan Smith announces retirement Feb 10, 2021; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Donovan Smith dances with the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a boat parade to celebrate victory in Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images Nine-year veteran offensive tackle Donovan Smith announced his retirement from football on Sunday. Smith played 136 games in his NFL career. He was a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was immediately plugged into the starting lineup and was a PFWA All-Rookie selection. He would go on to play eight seasons for the Buccaneers. Most notably, he was a starter on the team that won Super Bowl LV. The Buccaneers released Smith in March of 2023. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he concluded his career by winning his second Super Bowl ring. He went unsigned for the entire 2025 season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #2time #Super #Bowl #champion #Donovan #Smith #announces #retirement

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