The 9th year of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) will begin on Saturday, July 16th. The tournament consists of 64 teams in a single-elimination bracket with the champion taking home the grand prize of one million dollars. The bracket is broken down into eight 8-team regions, where each region winner will meet in Dayton, OH for the quarterfinals. Below is my breakdown of the teams and the TBT Betting Odds.
The Rucker Park Region: July 16th – July 20th
1 Seed: YGC +3000
2 Seed: Americana for Autism +3500
3 Seed: Ex-Pats +6000
4 Seed: HBCUnited +20000
5 Seed: Skip To My Lou +15000
6 Seed: Big 5 +25000
7 Seed: Peacock Nation +25000
8 Seed: Hoopville Warriors +25000
The Favorite: YGC +3000
YGC is backed by Marcus Smart and is considered the favorite in this region. They are making their TBT debut and are led by Baylor standout, Quincy Miller. This roster has very good balance and size that will give them the versatility to play in different ways throughout the tournament. They begin tournament play Saturday in New York against the Hoopville Warriors.
The Sleeper: Skip To My Lou +15000
Skip To My Lou is new to the TBT scene, but their coach is not new to Rucker Park. Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston will be coaching this team, which will set up an electric environment at Rucker Park. This roster is filled with guards who will look to play small ball led by James Byrd. Skip To My Lou begin tournament play Saturday in New York City against HBCUnited.
The Omaha Region: July 16th – July 19th
1 Seed: Gutter Cat Gang +1600
2 Seed: Team Arkansas +4000
3 Seed: Omaha Blue Crew +5000
4 Seed: Always Us +10000
5 Seed: Jackson Underdawgs +20000
6 Seed: Team Overtime +15000
7 Seed: DaGuys STL +50000
8 Seed: The Cru +50000
The Favorite: Gutter Cat Gang +1600
Formerly known as Team Hines, Gutter Cat Gang is considered the heavy favorite in this region because of their upgraded roster with the addition of Tyrese Rice (2021 TBT MVP for Boeheim’s Army). This core group made a run to the semifinals in 2019 and is looking to do the same this year, but finish the job this time around. The roster is versatile with multiple guys between 6’5 – 6’7 led by TBT veteran Kyle Hines. They begin tournament play Saturday in Omaha against The Cru.
The Sleeper: Jackson Underdawgs +20000
The Jackson Underdawgs enter another year at TBT as one of the most feared underdog teams. Last year they knocked off the #2 seed House of ‘Paign in Illinois. Jackson Underdawgs will look to continue the magic by riding former Memphis big man, Will Coleman. They return a good amount from their roster last year which gives them the experience edge to pull another upset. Jackson Underdawgs begin tournament play Saturday in Omaha against Always Us.
The Xavier Region: July 18th – July 21st
1 Seed: Florida TNT +700
2 Seed: Sideline Cancer +800
3 Seed: Zip Em Up +6000
4 Seed: Nasty Nati +20000
5 Seed: Fort Wayne Champs +15000
6 Seed: Sweet Home Alabama +25000
7 Seed: Defeat Diabetes +25000
8 Seed: Team AboutBillions +25000
The Favorite: Florida TNT +700
Florida TNT enters this region as the favorite and one of the overall heavy favorites coming off a Final 4 run in last year’s TBT run. Last year’s run was led by Kenny Boynton and Keith Clanton and they are back looking to finish the job this time around with the guard additions of Rob Gray and Antonio Blakeney. Their trio of guards will be leaned on heavily in order to get them back to Dayton. They begin tournament play Monday in Cincinnati against Team AboutBillions.
The Sleeper: Nasty Nati +20000
Nasty Nati makes their TBT debut representing primarily a roster of former Cincinnati Bearcats. Their roster consists of very good size and athleticism for defensive versatility. Nasty Nati’s are led by Jarron Cumberland and Jacob Evans, who will look to carry the load offensively. They begin tournament play Monday in Cincinnati against the Fort Wayne Champs.
The New Mexico Region: July 18th – July 21st
1 Seed: Heartfire +1000
2 Seed: Team Challenge ALS +4000
3 Seed: LA Cheaters +4000
4 Seed: The Enchantment +10000
5 Seed: Panamaniacs +41000
6 Seed: Ram Up +25000
7 Seed: Once A Bronco +25000
8 Seed: Competitive Choice +25000
The Favorite: Heartfire +1000
Heartfire enters this year’s TBT as one of the overall favorites and the favorite to win this region. They have a deep roster at the guard and wing positions led by former Kentucky Wildcat, DeAndre Liggins. They return a good portion of last year’s roster led by Marcus Hall. Heartfire begins tournament play Monday in Albuquerque against Competitive Choice.
The Sleeper: LA Cheaters +4000
The LA Cheaters are back at the TBT and bring back a roster that will give them a chance to advance. They are led by former Long Beach State NBA guys, James Ennis and Casper Ware Jr. They lost key pieces from last year’s roster, but replaced it with enough talent to make another run. LA Cheaters begin tournament play Monday in Albuquerque against Ram Up.
The Wichita Region: July 22nd – July 27th
1 Seed: AfterShocks +3000
2 Seed: Eberlein Drive +2000
3 Seed: Purple & Black +5000
4 Seed: Stillwater Stars +10000
5 Seed: Air Raiders +6000
6 Seed: Lone Star Legends +25000
7 Seed: Bleed Green +25000
8 Seed: We Are D3 +25000
The Favorite: AfterShocks +3000
The AfterShocks are back with the home-court advantage and are the favorites in the region. They are led by former Shocker, Conner Frankamp. Aftershocks roster consists primarily of Wichita State alumni and they will look to repeat their magic from last year in front of Shocker Nation. They begin tournament play Friday, July 22nd in Wichita against We Are D3.
The Sleeper: Air Raiders +6000
The Air Raiders make their debut at TBT with a roster consisting of almost all Red Raider alumni. The core of Matt Mooney, Norense Odiase, and Tariq Owens are familiar with one another and was a big reason why they made it to the National Championship in 2019. The addition of March Madness fan favorite, Peter Kiss will help on the offensive side to provide another scoring option. They begin tournament play Friday, July 22nd in Wichita against the Stillwater Stars.
The Syracuse Region: July 22nd – July 25th
1 Seed: Boeheim’s Army +500
2 Seed: Blue Collar U +1600
3 Seed: Friday Beers +6000
4 Seed: The Nerd Team +10000
5 Seed: Brown & White +25000
6 Seed: Mental Toughness +25000
7 Seed: NG Saints +25000
8: India Rising +25000
The Favorite: Boeheim’s Army +500
The defending TBT champions are the overall favorite and heavy favorite in this region after their magical run last year. They lost a lot from that championship team but added solid talent in former Overseas Elite standouts, DJ Kennedy and DeAndre Kane. They have a loaded roster and the home-court advantage where they will be expected to return to Dayton to defend their title. Boeheim’s Army begins tournament play Friday, July 22nd in Syracuse against India Rising.
The Sleeper: Blue Collar U +1600
Blue Collar U made their TBT debut and got all the way to the Final 4 before falling to Team 23 in Dayton. The Sleeper Team return the majority of their core from that team led by Nick Perkins and CJ Massinburg. Although they are the 2-seed, they will be considered a big underdog to the Boeheim’s Army if the two were to meet in an upstate New York matchup. Blue Collar U begins tournament play Friday, July 22nd in Syracuse against NG Saints.
The Dayton Region: July 24th – July 27th
1 Seed: The Money Team +800
2 Seed: Golden Eagles +800
3 Seed: Red Scare +6000
4 Seed: Men of Mackey +10000
5 Seed: Mid American Unity +20000
6 Seed: Citi Team +25000
7 Seed: Ohio 1804 +25000
8 Seed: Athletics Miami +25000
The Favorite: The Money Team +800
The Floyd Mayweather Money Team is back for another run at the one million dollar prize. They return the majority of the team that won the Columbus Regional last year and they added TBT & BYU legend, Jimmer Fredette. Expect Fredette to provide a different dynamic to this very talented team and give them a chance to win the tournament in Dayton. The Money Team begins tournament play Sunday, July 24th in Dayton against Athletics Miami.
The Sleeper: Red Scare +6000
The Red Scare’s coming off a disappointing upset last year that ended their TBT run prematurely. They added big pieces in Soochie Smith and Kosta Koufos to help add depth to a roster primarily made up of Dayton Flyer alumni. They have the unique benefit of also playing at home for the entire tournament in front of the passionate Flyer Nation. The Red Scare begins tournament play Sunday, July 24th in Dayton against Citi Team.
The West Virginia Region: July 24th – July 27th
1 Seed: Best Virginia +3000
2 Seed: Bucketneers +1600
3 Seed: WoCo Showtime +6000
4 Seed: Herd That +6000
5 Seed: Founding Fathers +6000
6 Seed: War Ready +10000
7 Seed: Fully Loaded +25000
8 Seed: Virginia Team +25000
The Favorite: Best Virginia +3000
Best Virginia enters their third TBT campaign hoping this is the year they get over the hump and get to Dayton. With additions of Devin Ebanks, Jermaine Haley, and Jaysean Paige will give Best Virginia their best roster so far at the TBT. Additionally, they will also get the benefit of playing in front of Mountaineer Nation for the first three games. Best Virginia begins tournament play Sunday, July 24th in Charleston against Virginia Team.
The Sleeper: WoCo Showtime +6000
WoCo Showtime enters its 2nd year of TBT. In their debut, they nearly pulled the stunner over Best Virginia behind Fletcher Magee and company. Furthermore, they added guards Andrew Rowsey and Storm Murphy to add to their already very good guard depth. The Sleeper team begins tournament play Sunday, July 24th in Charleston against War Ready.
The Winner: The Money Team +800
At the end of August 2nd in Dayton, it will be The Money Team that gets it done for the prize of one million dollars. They have arguably the toughest region with the 2-Seed Golden Eagles (2020 TBT Champions) and the 3-Seed Red Scare (Dayton) playing in front of their home fans. Last year they were close, but the addition of Fredette will put them over the top this go around.