College Basketball Invitational

Fresh off the success of the first two events and with the depth of talented teams across the country, the 2010 CBI is shaping up to be even more exciting this year.

The CBI features 16 teams from across the country playing for a postseason championship. There are several unique aspects to the CBI. Each game takes place at home arenas, allowing more fans to share in the postseason experience. Also, the first three rounds of the CBI are single-elimination; however, the two teams competing for the title will play a best-of-three series with the higher seed hosting two games should a third be necessary.

Last year, Oregon State and UTEP played for the CBI championship. After Oregon State won the first Championship Series game in Corvallis in front of over 8,000 fans, the scene shifted to El Paso, where both games were played in front of a packed house at the 12,000-seat Don Haskins Center. UTEP took the second game of the series before Oregon State emerged as CBI champs with an 81-73 victory.

The year's CBI field will be announced on Selection Sunday, March 14, with play beginning on Tuesday, March 16, and Wednesday, March 17. Quarterfinal round action takes place on Monday, March 22, followed two days later by the semifinals. The Championship Series begins on Monday, March 29.

The CBI enjoys a strong relationship with HDNet, which is seen in more than 23 million homes and will serve as the primary television outlet for this year's championship. HDNet was co-founded by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and Phillip Garvin, who serves as general manager.

What they're saying about the CBI...

"The crowd was alive... some sort of living, breathing entity with ear shattering, rock concert, airplane noise. It began to grow as it formed at 3 p.m. to await the chance to get into the building. It flowed down the concourse, filling up the seats like lava out of a volcano. It rocked and rolled and roared."
---From the El Paso Times on Game #2 of the 2009 CBI Championship Series at UTEP

"First of all, it gives us some experience playing in the postseason. Secondly, it allows us to keep playing. We are one of the few teams still playing and that is terrific for the program... it is terrific for our confidence... it is a terrific overall experience. And finally, we have access to our players on a full-time basis right now which helps with player development, strategies for next year, and builds our confidence level heading into the spring, when we need that extra work. This is a wonderful tournament and great opportunity for our program."
---Oregon State Head Coach Craig Robinson after winning the 2009 CBI Championship

"This is priceless for us. The tournament... it is the best thing going. We (Tulsa and Bradley) would have both been in the NIT anyway had that not changed and this is better because we've been able to play on home courts... we've been able to capture something that myself and (athletic director) Bubba (Cunningham) could never do with a marketing plan, so it's awesome."
---Tulsa Head Coach Doug Wojcik after winning the 2008 CBI Championship

"This is the tournament of the future. It is going to be a huge tournament. The Gazelle Group, which runs this tournament, does most of the first-class, big time, in-season tournaments. To be affiliated with them and be the first school to commit to them was a huge step in helping us schedule."
---Houston Head Coach Tom Penders, 2008 CBI participant