The 2026 version of Anonymous Eagle’s College Hoops Champions League
Most folks are aware that European Soccer has a league of Champions…the UEFA Champions League. European professional basketball also has a Champions League play system. How about a men’s college basketball Champions League (CBBCL)…here in the USA?
Way back when…”back in da’ day” (2000-2012) this notion surfaced, and has been repeatedly proposed on the periphery. According to SB Nation’s (Anonymous Eagle) writer Andrew Fleck.:
Anonymous Eagle’s Andy Fleck: This is not a new idea by me, of course. I am standing on the shoulders of giants, as John Infante had the idea back before Andy Glockner wrote about it for Sports Illustrated in 2012 and the two of them joined Matt Norlander for a CBS Sports podcast about it in 2013. Friend Of The Show Andrei Greska even brought the idea back up in 2019 for an article on Paint Touches. This isn’t even the first year that we’ve mocked up a CBBCL here on Anonymous Eagle, as we did that in each of the last four years.
Needless to say the notion has merits and the explanation of the workings is detailed. See the Anonymous Eagle links for the 2025 version and the 2026 version below. AE/Fleck go into great detail in ‘fleshing out’ a college hoops version of the tried & true Euro Champions Leagues. He notes that there are many varying offshoots which can be considered in building the league.- there is NO one ‘right way’ to configure such a league. In fact, the variations of configuration are some of the most intriguing aspects of such a league.
With the demise of the majority of non-NCAA post-season tourneys, perhaps this idea’s time has come? The College Invitational Tourney (CIT) died in 2024. The College Basketball Invitational Tourney (CBI) died after its’ 2025 run, threatening to return in 2027.. The College Crown Tourney (CCT), which is in it’s 2nd season, has reduced it’s original ambitions due to tourney costs. Both the NCAA Tourney and the legacy NIT are both owned and controlled by the good folks in Indianapolis. The NCAA Men’s tourney being the cashcow for the NCAA’s total operations. See link to ESPN article below. Currently conferences & teams are attempting to makeup financial shortfalls with new fall holiday tourneys.
Money being the lifeblood of collegiate circulation and growth these days, such a league as the CBBCL offers another avenue of revenues streams for collegiate sports. Post-season play opportunities are shrinking as the CBI, CIT are gone, The CCT is waffling…which left only another 100 billets (2026 NCAA/NIT). With Dance expansion slated for 2027 the number increases to 108 billets. Down from 140 or so when the CBI/CIT were in full swing. If the CCT survives into 2027, add another 16-24 postseason spots. A Champions League would offer an additional 52/53 postseason play billets according to the Anonymous Eagle article. Well worth serious consideration given today’s economic climate in college basketball.
The college basketball Champions League is one of those ideas that crop up periodically. Notions such as an all-majors P4 football playoff, a 76, 84, 100 team NCAA Basketball Tourney, or an All-Catholic basketball league. All of which are pipedreams and fantasies…visions of those who are unemployed or dreamers with plenty of time on their hands… Hmmm, wait a darned minute! Those ‘pipedreams’ have materialized into reality, lol. Hmmm? Maybe…just maybe???
Jim Harvey a.k.a. @gtmoblue
CBBCL 2025 Link: https://www.anonymouseagle.com/2025/5/28/24428577/ncaa-mens-college-basketball-champions-league-uefa-soccer-football-tournament
CBBCL 2026 Link: https://www.anonymouseagle.com/37261/ncaa-mens-college-basketball-champions-league-uefa-soccer-football-tournament
Bluenotes 