The Players Era boldly announced its intentions last year to be the premier early season college basketball tournament destination, guaranteeing at least $1 million in name, image and likeness money to each of the eight participating teams.

Now in its second year, the Players Era that begins Monday is undeniably the place to be, having blown by the Maui Invitational and other such events with a field loaded with teams that could be playing deep into March.

Half of the 18-team field is in The Associated Press poll, including No. 2 Houston and No. 7 Michigan. The inaugural women's field is smaller in numbers, but three of the four schools — No. 2 South Carolina, No. 3 UCLA and No. 4 Texas — are in the top four of the AP Top 25.

“You look at the teams in this field, and it’s high level e

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