The TBT enters the Saturday Final Four with three alumni teams remaining. Friday night did not disappoint at the TBT with Blue Collar U and the Red Scare both rallying from 4th quarter deficits to advance. Both semifinal matchups will be played on Saturday in a doubleheader on ESPN. Let’s take a look at the Final Four and give out some TBT best bets!
(2) Americana for Autism vs (1) AfterShocks
Date: Saturday, July 30th, 2022
Time: 4:00pm EST
TV: ESPN
Spread: AfterShocks -3.0
Total: 145.5
The AfterShocks enter the semifinal matchup coming off four wins in Wichita. They concluded their run in Wichita with a win over the Gutter Cats 74-67. The AfterShocks overcame an early double-digit deficit thanks to their shot-making from 3. They finished the game 12/18 from 3 and had 16 assists on 27 made field goals.
Americana for Autism pulled off an impressive upset win in the quarterfinals over the Florida TNT. Like the AfterShocks, Americana for Autism shot the ball unbelievable from downtown going 17/30 from 3. They used a balanced attack in the win with five guys scoring in double figures.
Both teams are coming off shooting performances that most likely can’t be duplicated. I expect this one to be played more in the half-court and for it to be a dog fight. The matchup to watch will be in the paint with the depth of the AfterShocks front-court going against the 1-2 punch of James and Monroe. I give Americana for Autism the advantage in this matchup because they’ve played a game in Dayton and the AfterShocks haven’t. I like the points and the under in this matchup for the TBT best bet!
Pick: Americana for Autism +3.0 & Under 145.5
(3) Red Scare vs (2) Blue Collar U
Date: Saturday, July 30th, 2022
Time: 6:00pm EST
TV: ESPN
Spread: Blue Collar U -1.5
Total: 144.0
In the other semifinal, it will be a matchup of two alumni teams coming off comeback wins. Blue Collar U returns to the TBT semifinals for a second consecutive year after a 74-66 win over the Heartfire. Blue Collar U used a late 8-0 run to clinch the Elam Ending in a dramatic fashion. They were led by Massinburg and Perkins, who combined for 40 points in the quarterfinal victory.
The Red Scare won the TBT night cap over Best Virginia in front of an electric Dayton crowd. The Red Scare was able to grind it out on 22 2nd chance points and 11/30 from 3. They were led by their trio of guards in Davis, Sibert, and Smith, who went for 40 of the team’s 67 points.
This semifinal matchup is set up for another heavy Dayton Flyers crowd. The home crowd really helped the Red Scare on Friday night coming down the stretch at the Elam Ending. The matchup to watch in this semifinal will be in the back-court with both teams having good guard play depth. I give the Red Scare guards the slight edge in this matchup because of their ability to have multiple guys that can create and make shots. I like the small dog home team and the under in this matchup for a TBT best bet!