The Players Era is returning to Las Vegas this year in a new format, as first reported by CBS. The tournament has been expanded to 24 teams, split into two brackets, and will be broadcast on ESPN.
This year’s event will feature an 8-team bracket the week before Thanksgiving and a 16-team bracket during Thanksgiving week.
Michigan is in the 16-team field that includes Alabama, Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, San Diego State, St. John’s, TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech and Oregon.
Matchups, scheduling, and ticket information are expected later this month, per CBS.
CBS reports that Players Era will “pay some schools more than others to participate” and that the average payout is “slightly north of $1 million, according to the event organizers,” with Kansas receiving the largest share.
The Wolverines won last year’s tournament with blowout victories over San Diego State, Auburn and Gonzaga.
Michigan’s loaded non-conference slate also includes Duke in New York City, UConn in Boston, a game at Villanova, and a home game against Marquette, with more dates to be announced.
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umhoops
Will be interesting to see what tweaks they make to the format this year. It’s split into two fields, but 16 teams is still too big to do bracketed.
But they are touting a bracket format? Not sure how that works.
apicchietti21
Nice! Hey Juke, get ready to learn Thiam
umhoops
umhoops
BigBoutros
I think I’ll attend this