The brainchild of a consortium of college basketball powerhouses is taking shape for the 2027‑28 season: an eight‑team, pool‑play tournament dubbed the Diamond Cup.
Programs such as Arizona, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina and the University of Connecticut have been earmarked as participants, while Duke withdrew after striking a multi‑year deal with Amazon Prime Video.
UConn’s Evolving Non‑Conference Landscape
Coach Dan Hurley has already bolstered the Huskies’ schedule with marquee matchups against Michigan, Ohio State, Arizona, Duke, Illinois, Kansas and Virginia, positioning the team to test itself against the nation’s elite before the tournament.
Financial Incentives and Format Adjustments
Schools that join the Diamond Cup could receive equity stakes, turning participation into a revenue share. The initial concept of a four‑game series per team has been trimmed to a two‑game agreement for the inaugural year, with payouts projected at $2.25 million per program, a figure that could rise to $3.75 million if the format expands.
The tournament is designed to spark heightened interest in college basketball during the traditionally slow November window, offering fans a novel competitive structure while delivering substantial financial upside to the schools involved.
Timing and Next Steps
If the current crop of programs signs on, an official announcement could be made as early as July, setting the stage for a new era of postseason‑style play that blends equity, competition and significant earnings for the participating institutions.