Happening Hoops CBI Bracketology

By: Ethan Hennessy

February 5th 2021

In a tweet this afternoon from Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports he said “Sources: The CBI is exploring holding its annual postseason tournament in a neutral site format rather than on campus.”

I would imagine this is a “bubble” environment similar to the one the Gazelle Group (organization that runs the CBI as well as 2k Classic, Gotham Classic, and Legends Classic) put on in Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun. My guess is since the tournament is in one neutral site location most likely over a week to week and a half it would be in a destination location.

I had not been doing my usual CBI/CIT bracketology this season because it seemed for months like neither tournament would be played, but now since the CBI seems likely I’m excited to be back to try to predict the field.

Normally predicting these tournaments is difficult because there is no set criteria and there are so many factors that go into receiving and accepting bids to these tournaments. However, this year in particular with the pandemic, all of the economic implications, and all of the game cancelations there are even more factors that are in play for who will be going to the CBI. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you see a team with a much lower record getting in over a team with a better record.

My CBI and CIT prediction rate per year

2018: 75% (27/36)

2019: 93% (39/42)

*2020: Minimum of 88% It was later determined three days from selection Sunday (at the time of the cancelations) I had correctly predicted what would have been 37 of the 42 teams confirmed in the fields. I have reason to believe over those next three days I could have predicted even more of what would have been the eventual fields.

College Basketball Invitational (16 teams)

• California Baptist (8-5 WAC)
• San Francisco (10-8 WCC)
• Coastal Carolina (12-4 Sun Belt)
• Army (9-4 Patriot)
• Nevada (12-7 Mountain West)
• Citadel (9-7 SoCon)
• ECU (8-6 American)
• Abilene Christian (14-3 Southland)
• Appalachian State (12-7 Sun Belt)
• VMI (10-9 SoCon)
• North Alabama (10-4 ASUN)
• Louisiana Tech (14-5 CUSA)
• Charlotte (9-7 CUSA)
• Iona (5-3 MAAC)
• UTRGV (8-3 WAC)
• Norfolk State (9-6 MEAC)

Next Four Out

Rhode Island (9-10 Atlantic Ten)

New Mexico State (3-3 WAC)

James Madison (10-5 CAA)

North Texas (9-5 CUSA)