Seton Hall and Ole Miss will compete in the College Basketball Crown Tournament, a postseason consolation event in Las Vegas from April 1-5, after missing out on the NCAA and NIT tournaments. Seton Hall finished the regular season with a record of 21-12, while Ole Miss ended with a disappointing 15-20 record.
Seton Hall was listed among the “Next Four Out” for the NCAA Tournament, indicating their close call for a berth. The Pirates’ head coach, Shaheen Holloway, expressed optimism about the team’s potential, stating, “We’ve still got some things to solve given the opportunity, so the feeling is high to come back and continue proving ourselves.” This will mark Seton Hall’s first postseason appearance since their last NCAA Tournament in 2022.
In contrast, Ole Miss’s season concluded with a loss to No. 3 Arkansas in the SEC Tournament semifinals, where they suffered a 93-90 defeat. The Rebels, who were unable to secure a spot in the NIT, are now awaiting the announcement of the College Basketball Crown Tournament field, which is set for March 16, 2026. As Ole Miss’s AJ Staton-McCray noted, “It’s always fun to play basketball games. We’re all basketball players—we love to hoop, NCAA championship or not.”
The College Basketball Crown Tournament debuted last year, providing teams like Seton Hall and Ole Miss an opportunity to compete in the postseason despite not qualifying for the more prestigious tournaments. The excitement surrounding this tournament is palpable, as both teams look to make a statement and build momentum for the next season.
As the tournament approaches, observers are eager to see how both teams will perform and whether they can capitalize on this opportunity to showcase their talents on a national stage. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final tournament brackets and matchups, but anticipation is building for the upcoming event.
