The Ultimate Guide to the CBS Sports Classic Basketball Tournament

The CBS Sports Classic is one of the most exciting annual events in college basketball. With four of the top programs facing off in a showcase doubleheader, it‘s a must-watch for any hoops fan. As a passionate basketball enthusiast, let me provide you with a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the CBS Sports Classic tournament.

History and Background

The CBS Sports Classic started in 2014 as a partnership between CBS and four of the most storied teams in college basketball – Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State and UCLA. CBS was looking for a new marquee regular season event, while the four schools wanted to face high-profile non-conference opponents.

Key Facts

• First tournament held in 2014
• 3-year agreement extended to 2023
• Showcases matchups between top programs
• Doubleheader event with two games

The initial deal was for three years, but in 2017 CBS extended the agreement to 2023. This ensures the Classic will continue for years to come as a highlight of the college basketball season.

According to CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus, the motivation was to create "a new, early-season, elite college basketball event that we expect to grow into the next great basketball tradition." Judging by the high level of talent on display year after year, they‘ve succeeded in doing just that.

Tournament Format and Details

The tournament consists of a doubleheader showcase with two marquee matchups:

• The four teams face off in a round robin format with rotating matchups each year.
• Game times are in the afternoon and evening for ideal TV viewership. Often it‘s a 2PM and 8PM start time.
• The event is held in mid-to-late December each year, often a Saturday.
• Each team plays once per year against a different opponent.
• The location moves between major arenas and media markets.

This format allows fans to see fresh matchups between blueblood programs each year. And since each team only plays once, they can schedule it in the midst of conference play rather than tie up multiple non-conference games.

Past and Future Tournament Locations

The Classic has been held in premier arenas including:

• United Center in Chicago (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022)
• Barclays Center in Brooklyn (2016)
• Smoothie King Center in New Orleans (2017, 2020)
• T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (2021)

It alternates between the Midwest and East Coast. For 2023, it returns to Chicago‘s United Center on December 16th. Upcoming locations include:

• 2023 – United Center, Chicago
• 2024 – TBD
• 2025 – TBD

The sites attract huge crowds – for instance, in 2018 over 25,000 attended each game at the United Center. And by rotating annually, it allows fans from different regions to experience the energy live.

Ticket Information and Prices

With four rabid fanbases converging in one arena, ticket demand is sky-high. Here‘s what you need to know about getting seats:

• Prices – Get ready to pay a premium. Tickets range from roughly $60 for the upper corners to $250 for lower-level sideline seats. Floor seats and VIP packages exceed $500+.
• On-Sale Date – Individual game tickets go on sale 4-6 months in advance. Lexington, Kentucky had over 3,000 tickets sold within hours for their 2021 matchup!
• Where to Buy – Purchase tickets through the host arena box office or resellers like VividSeats and StubHub. Act fast as they sell out quickly.
• Ticket Packages – Some schools offer multi-game ticket packs that include the Classic. This grants earlier access for prime seats.

With the tournament shifting locations each year, be prepared to travel if you want to catch your team live. The upside is fans can experience different world-class arenas every December – and the atmosphere does not disappoint.

TV Broadcast and Live Stream Details

Part of what makes the CBS Sports Classic so popular is the national TV exposure. Here‘s how you can watch the action:

• TV Network – The Classic airs live on CBS. With broadcast rights extending to 2023, CBS will continue showcasing these elite programs.
• Streaming – For cord-cutters, you can live stream the tournament on CBSSports.com or the CBS Sports app if you have a cable/streaming subscription.
• Tip-Off Times – Games are timed for ideal TV slots, typically early afternoon and primetime evening. This maximizes viewership.
• Announcers – CBS deploys their top college hoops broadcast teams. Fans have enjoyed commentary from top analysts like Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery and Tracy Wolfson.

The national spotlight allows fans across the country to tune in. And the basketball world stops to watch star-studded teams face off before conference play heats up.

Rivalry Matchups and Marquee Talent

Beyond the competitive games, part of what makes the CBS Sports Classic pop is the storylines and talent on display. With Kansas, UNC, UCLA and Ohio State, you‘re guaranteed NBA prospects and All-American candidates each year.

Just look at some of the standout players who have competed:

• Anthony Davis (Kentucky)
• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky)
• Shabazz Muhammad (UCLA)
• Justin Jackson (UNC)
• Chris Holtmann (Ohio State)
• Lonzo Ball (UCLA)
• Malik Monk (Kentucky)
• Kevin Knox (Kentucky)
• Coby White (UNC)

Combine this young talent with the historic rivalries between these schools, and the intensity level goes up another notch.

The early-season tournament gives fans a peek at potential NBA lottery picks. And they get to watch bluebloods face off before March Madness kicks into high gear.

Impact of the Pandemic

In 2020, the Classic was slated for the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the organizers made the prudent decision to cancel the event.

With crowd restrictions and bubble environments, it simply wasn‘t feasible to hold an early season tournament as usual. Both matchups – UCLA vs Ohio State and UNC vs Kentucky – were postponed.

This was a necessary move for public health, though certainly disappointing for players and fans alike. We can only hope the pandemic outlook improves so the Classic can return even stronger in future years.

Why the Tournament Matters

Beyond showcasing star-power and intriguing matchups, the CBS Sports Classic has become a pillar event in the college basketball landscape for a few key reasons:

• Marquee programs – Perennial contenders facing off grabs attention. The four schools have a combined 24 NCAA Tournament titles.
• TV exposure – Airtime on CBS gives top prospects national highlight reels for NBA scouts.
• Strong attendance – Top teams traveling well leads to sell-out crowds. Fans circle it on the calendar.
• Early test – Chance for quality non-conference wins before league play. Sets tone for March success.

As Sean McManus said, their goal was establishing "the next great basketball tradition" – and the CBS Sports Classic has delivered just that.