We are hitting the final stretch of The Basketball Tournament 2021. We started with 64, but now only eight teams remain vying for a chance at one million dollars. Both competitors in last year’s championship game, the Golden Eagles and Sideline Cancer, are back. The Golden Eagles are looking to repeat while Sideline Cancer is looking for redemption. And Boeheim’s Army is looking to finally get over the hump and finally claim a TBT Championship. Let’s dive into the TBT Championship odds and who has a great chance to win the million dollars.
Favorites
Golden Eagles +260
The Golden Eagles proved throughout the Illinois Regional. They are playing great team basketball and have not lost a step since their TBT championship run in 2021. Elgin Cook has been a certified bucket getter for this team. He leads them in scoring averaging 16.7 points on an incredible 85% from the field in the three games of this tournament.
However, it is not just him. The Golden Eagles are getting everyone to their spots and allowing them to take shots from where they feel comfortable. It is not often that you see the Marquette alumni take bad shots in a game. With experienced veterans all around this roster like Travis Diener, this Golden Eagle team could very well become only the second team ever to repeat and claim another TBT championship.
Sideline Cancer +300
Sideline Cancer took us on a roller coaster prior to this tournament. They started the tournament by announcing that their star player and leader Marcus Keene would not be joining them for their 2021 campaign.
But then, right before the tournament, it was announced that Keene was going to play, and he made it in time for their first-round game against Founding Fathers. He has not missed a step since the TBT bubble as he is averaging 18 points and 6.7 assists in 2021.
This team is very lethal in scoring ability when everyone is on. Mo Creek is as deadly as can be from three. Although he has not gotten going to his normal effectiveness the last two games of the tournament, watching the 2020 TBT bubble we know what he is capable of.
Sideline Cancer has all of the components to make it back to the championship and win it all. And while all the teams left are phenomenal teams, they managed to avoid a top of the bracket that houses three Top Three teams left. I love the value on Sideline Cancer here to get it done.
Boeheim’s Army +330
Boeheim’s Army might have come in with the most hype of the entire tournament. They added who was thought to be the best pickup of the entire tournament in former Boston College guard Tyrese Rice. That is until they also signed Overseas Elite legends D.J. Kennedy and DeAndre Kane. Add them to Chris McCullough and Tyler Lydon who were finally making their TBT debuts, and Boeheim’s Army had collected all Infinity Stones like Thanos.
However, everything that glitters is not always gold. While they were winning games, this team did not always look elite. They had a lot of sloppy play early on in the tournament, but it seems they have corrected that ship and are moving forward as one of the best, most talented teams in this field.
And now the championship series awakens the beast that is D.J. Kennedy. Although he has been relatively quiet during this run, I expect him to switch it into that former TBT MVP mode and help lead this team to its first TBT championship.
Value
The Money Team +525
Floyd Mayweather was elated on the phone talking to his team after their third-round win against former TBT champions, Carmen’s Crew. This was a redemption moment for The Money Team. Last year they got sent packing after giving up a big lead to Herd That. Fast forward, and they come back from 18 down to knock off the Ohio State alumni in Columbus.
This team is not the deepest as they keep an eight-man rotation, but they are filled with hoopers. Jordon Crawford adds his name to the list of the small guards that dominate this tournament. Jeff Ledbetter started off slow in the first round but has been unconscious from three his last two games shooting at 70%. And Jarrod Jones is a big, strong presence for them in the frontcourt that can grab offensive rebounds and score.
The Money Team can score with anybody as they average 90 points a game in the tournament. I like them to be able to stay in all of their games and push teams to an Elam Ending and secure their first TBT championship.
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