Rutgers Basketball vs Creighton: College Basketball Crown Preview

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 12: Lino Mark #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights goes up for a layup against Tyler Bilodeau #34 of the UCLA Bruins during the second half of a Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Third Round game at the United Center on March 12, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. The UCLA Bruins won the game 72-59. (Photo by Aaron J.

Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images After falling to UCLA in the third round of the Big Ten tournament, it was expected that the season would be over for Rutgers men’s basketball. Then, in a surprise twist, the Scarlet Knights were invited to the College Basketball Crown, an eight-team tournament run by Fox Sports, where each team participating dukes it out for a trophy and an NIL cash prize. Rutgers accepted the invitation and is set to take on Creighton tomorrow.

Despite falling to UCLA in their last game of the conference tournament, the Knights have been playing much better lately, going 3-2 in their last five games. The freshmen on the team have made substantial progress in their development, and it has shown on the court. On top of that, several of the transfers who joined the team last season have made their case for retention this offseason.

Creighton has had a season full of ups and downs. They pulled off a stunning 91-84 victory over No. 7 UConn before losing three out of their last five games.