Dan Hurley and UConn’s Scheduling Shift: A New Era for College Basketball?
TWO DAYS AFTER UConn returned from a brutal 0-3 showing at the Maui Invitational, head coach Dan Hurley didn’t hold back. Following the Huskies’ dominant 99-45 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore, Hurley made it clear that the traditional multiteam event (MTE) format might be on its way out for his program.
“I’m not doing another three-game MTE again,” Hurley declared. “Moving forward, we will only play home-and-homes and single-game events in big-time arenas. I don’t think I’ll ever do a three-game MTE again.”
While some might interpret Hurley’s comments as frustration after a tough trip, sources told ESPN that UConn had already been planning to move away from the MTE-heavy schedule even before the Maui Invitational. And they’re not alone. Several high-major programs are reportedly shifting their focus to four-team events, one-off neutral-site games, and home-and-home series. In fact, at least five teams ranked in the top 20 of this year’s preseason AP poll are in discussions to begin home-and-home series next season.
The Decline of Traditional MTEs
For years, MTEs like the Maui Invitational and Battle 4 Atlantis have been staples of the college basketball calendar, delivering marquee matchups in November. But the landscape is changing. With fewer elite eight-team fields on the horizon, the MTE model is being called “outdated from a financial standpoint and format standpoint in general,” according to one high-major staffer involved in scheduling.
One event looking to shake things up is the Players Era Festival. Co-founded by Seth Berger, the tournament debuted in Las Vegas last week with eight teams and plans to expand to at least 18 schools by 2025. Each participating team earned at least $1 million in NIL opportunities this year, with additional payouts for advancing deep into the tournament. Berger envisions the Players Era Festival becoming the premier November event, comparing it to the first leg of a Triple Crown, with conference tournaments and the NCAA tournament serving as the other two legs.
How the Players Era Festival Is Changing the Game
The Players Era Festival is positioning itself as a disruptor in the college basketball world, but Berger sees it more as filling a void created by NIL, conference realignment, and potential revenue-sharing models. “If there are people that are not adapting to that, you’re going to get crushed or you’re going to wind up with lesser teams,” said one longtime event operator.
Berger, best known as the founder of the shoe company And1, came up with the idea for the tournament during a family vacation in 2023. His son, TJ, who plays basketball at Lafayette, received a text about an NIL opportunity, sparking a conversation that led to the creation of the event. Berger partnered with Intersport, a prominent event operator, and secured commitments from top programs like Houston, Alabama, and Creighton.
- Houston was the first school to commit, paving the way for others like Rutgers and Texas A&M.
- All eight teams from this year’s event are set to return in 2025, with additional programs like Baylor and Gonzaga already committed.
- The event has $50 million in guaranteed NIL opportunities over the next three years.
The inaugural tournament was a resounding success, with Oregon defeating Alabama in the championship game to claim an additional $500,000 in NIL opportunities. Alabama earned $250,000 for reaching the final. Oregon coach Dana Altman praised the event, saying, “If our guys get this money, get paid like this, man, that’s icing on the cake.”
What’s Next for Nonconference Scheduling?
While the Players Era Festival is gaining momentum, other creative scheduling approaches are also emerging. The Duke vs. Kansas game at the Vegas Showdown offered a glimpse of the future: a single marquee matchup in a neutral-site arena. This format is logistically easier and more profitable for schools, especially for top-tier programs that can earn between $500,000 and $1 million per home game.
However, the financial realities of NIL and potential revenue-sharing models mean schools will need to maximize earnings through scheduling. One solution could be four-team MTEs with NIL tie-ins or home-and-home series against major programs. These options provide high-level competition without the logistical challenges of traditional MTEs.
Conference realignment is also playing a role in the shift. With only five major conferences remaining, it’s becoming harder to build elite eight-team fields without including mid-major programs. Some events are adopting split-field formats, with separate brackets for high-major and mid-major teams.
The Future of College Basketball
As the nonconference calendar evolves, one thing is clear: teams want more control over their schedules. “The market has changed, and schedules are naturally evolving with the change,” said one high-major staffer.
Berger remains optimistic about the Players Era Festival’s future, citing multiyear agreements with MGM and TNT Sports as evidence of its sustainability. “I think it exceeded our expectations in just about every way,” he said. With plans to expand the event and potentially add a women’s tournament, the Players Era Festival is poised to become a fixture in college basketball.
As Hurley and other coaches adapt to the changing landscape, the days of traditional MTEs may be numbered. But one thing is certain: fans can look forward to more competitive and compelling matchups in the years to come.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
