The 2025 College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Championship comes down to an exciting mid-major showdown as the Illinois State Redbirds (21-14) take on the Cleveland State Vikings (23-12) for the Purple CBI title. Both teams are hungry for their first-ever CBI championship, making this a must-watch clash in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The tournament, which featured 11 mid-major programs, has been narrowed down to two teams eager to claim their first CBI title.
Game Details
- What: 2025 CBI Championship
- Where: Ocean Center – Daytona Beach, FL
- When: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 – 5:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Live Stream: StedyFlix
Road to the CBI Championship 2025
Cleveland State Vikings
- Record: 23-12 (2nd in Horizon League)
- Last Game: Defeated FGCU 72-65 (Je’Shawn Stevenson – 17 pts)
- Key Strength: Elite defense (Top 30 in steals & blocks per game)
- Player to Watch: Tevin Smith (14 PPG, 4 RPG) – Can he bounce back after a quiet semifinal?
Illinois State Redbirds
- Record: 21-14 (5th in Missouri Valley Conference)
- Last Game: Beat Incarnate Word 78-73 (Chase Walker – 27 pts)
- Key Strength: Dominant inside play led by Chase Walker
- Player to Watch: Chase Walker – The CBI’s breakout star (47 pts in last 2 games)
Key Players to Watch
Illinois State
- Chase Walker: The sophomore big man has been a force throughout the CBI, tallying 47 points, 17 rebounds, and four assists in the last two games. His ability to dominate the paint will be a key factor against Cleveland State’s defense.
- Dalton Banks: The junior guard facilitates the Redbirds’ offense and will need to provide steady playmaking against CSU’s aggressive defense.
- Starting Lineup: Jack Daugherty (0), Dalton Banks (3), Jordan Davis (5), Johnny Kinziger (11), Chase Walker (35)
Cleveland State
- Tevin Smith: The veteran wing is averaging 14 points per game this season. Though he had a quieter game against FGCU, he remains a crucial playmaker for the Vikings.
- Defensive Strength: The Vikings excel on the defensive end, ranking 28th in steals per game and 31st in blocks per game. They also force more turnovers than all but 10 teams nationally, making their defense a major asset in this championship matchup.
Both teams have made impressive runs to reach the CBI final. Cleveland State, which finished second in the Horizon League, was eliminated in its conference tournament semifinals but rebounded with a strong showing in the CBI. The Vikings advanced to the final after a 72-65 victory over Florida Gulf Coast, led by Je’Shawn Stevenson’s 17-point performance.
Illinois State, the fifth seed in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, was eliminated in the quarterfinals but found momentum in the CBI. The Redbirds secured their championship appearance with a 78-73 win over Incarnate Word, highlighted by a dominant 27-point performance from Chase Walker.
