Nike-sponsored power schools to play in 16-team event

[Da Coach]

16 schools have agreed to participate in a two-tournament men's basketball event in honor of Nike co-founder Phil Knight's 80th birthday. The two tournaments, each consisting of eight teams, would take place in Portland, Ore. during a four-day period in November 2017. Knight's 80th birthday is Feb. 24, 2018

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8274359/nike-schools-commit-16-team-mega-event-honor-phil-knight

Apparently Nike doesn't think they have enough of a presence in college basketball that they need to create a tournament to end all tournaments?
Since this event does not take place until November of 2017, I wonder what would happen if Phil Knight doesn't make it until then?

The schools that have agreed to participate include Michigan State, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio State, Connecticut, Georgetown, Texas, Oklahoma, Stanford, Oregon, Xavier, Butler, Gonzaga and Portland.

[amckillip]

16 schools have agreed to participate in a two-tournament men's basketball event in honor of Nike co-founder Phil Knight's 80th birthday. The two tournaments, each consisting of eight teams, would take place in Portland, Ore. during a four-day period in November 2017. Knight's 80th birthday is Feb. 24, 2018

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8274359/nike-schools-commit-16-team-mega-event-honor-phil-knight

Apparently Nike doesn't think they have enough of a presence in college basketball that they need to create a tournament to end all tournaments?
Since this event does not take place until November of 2017, I wonder what would happen if Phil Knight doesn't make it until then?

The schools that have agreed to participate include Michigan State, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio State, Connecticut, Georgetown, Texas, Oklahoma, Stanford, Oregon, Xavier, Butler, Gonzaga and Portland.

That field is easily the best collection of teams every assembled outside of NCAA (or earlier NIT)... What a Tourney. Only legacy 'powerhouses' they are really missing are Kansas and IU.