Thousand Palms, CA - The 2025 Acrisure Invitational wrapped the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in a way that would be remembered forever, with high-level NCAA Division I men's basketball, record attendance, and a championship experience that will be remembered forever.
The Acrisure Invitational was rapidly turning into one of the most high-profile early-season college basketball tournaments in the country since the debut of the Acrisure Arena in December 2022. The edition of this year has not just fulfilled the expectations, it has surpassed them.
A Thriller Ends on a Buzzer Beater
The finals experienced a dramatic climax between Stanford University and St. Louis, and the victory was given to Stanford by a buzzer-beater, at the very end, by the senior guard Benny Gealer. It was a clutch shot that hyped the crowd of 10,000 fans and was one of the most exciting endings ever seen in the tournament.
The acrisure invitational has become entrenched in the competitive ethos of the pre-season, and that aspect was personified in Gealer operating under pressure, and fans were impressed as the battle of the best in college basketball in one of the newest high-quality venues.
Road to the Championship
Stanford was not an easy loser in the title. The Cardinal had to play Minnesota in the semifinal round, where they were beaten by 10 points in the first half, and they had to pull back and win the game by 72-68. The comeback also pointed out the strength and the prosperity of Stanford and this would be their show at the championships.
The 2025 tournament also featured other participating programs in the competition, such as Santa Clara and Minnesota, which in itself was a good field that demonstrated talent in the entire Division I basketball.
Record-Breaking Attendance at Acrisure Arena
The 2025 Acrisure Invitational was also a news-maker outside of the court. The mean attendance of over 10,000 fans per game is a record in tournaments and solidifies the status of Acrisure Arena as the top place to hold major sporting events in Southern California.
The excited fans, the high-tech facility, and the competition on a national scale were all combined to form the atmosphere that is more typical of postseason play.
Keith Dudum Presents the Championship Trophy
The team was then awarded the actual trophy at the half-court after the championship was won by Stanford. Keith Dudum of Acrisure approached the floor and was surrounded by players and the coaching staff to accept the 2025 Acrisure Invitational Trophy, which is a celebratory win to an already-established event.
The moment also represented the future alliance between Acrisure and collegiate athletics and the rising stature of the tournament since its inception.
A Signature Event for College Basketball
The 2025 Acrisure Invitational is surely making a name as one of the best events in the NCAA basketball calendar, with some of the most thrilling finishes, the top-rated competition and the greatest crowd attendance ever. The tournament is a reflection of what the current-day college basketball experience can be, given that the Acrisure Arena has served as a key venue in hosting major sporting events.
Buzzer beats by Benny Gealer to the speech made by Keith Dudum at centre court, the 2025 version left all that the fans could desire and gave the new precedent for future tournaments.
