2024 The Basketball Tournament (TBT) Picks: Monday (7/22)
The Basketball Tournament is back for the 2024 season! While the NBA Summer League is over, there is plenty of summer basketball yet to be played. The Big3 rolls on, and now fans get to enjoy TBT, The Basketball Tournament. Games will be featured on ESPN throughout the tournament, and we’ll have you covered with picks and predictions for each and every matchup. TBT believes “high stakes competition is the most powerful force in sports.†They’ll offer an open tournament and games of consequence daily which should result in some electrifying competition. Let’s take a look at our top picks for today’s TBT action.
Today’s 2024 The Basketball Tournament (TBT) Picks
Here are our top picks for today’s 2024 TBT action.
Team Heartfire vs We Are D3
It finally happened for We Are D3 this year. A roster stacked with former Division III players won its first TBT game, taking down Sweet Home Alabama 88-72. But now, this team of underdogs is tasked with taking down a squad of some of the most talented players in TBT, last year’s champs, Heartfire. As could be expected considering the history of the two teams, Heartfire opened as a decisive 9.5-point favorite. However, Heartfire struggled in its tournament opener, beating Rise and Grind 68-64. They were the only No. 1 seed not to dominate its opener. Based on what both teams have shown this year, We Are D3 could pull off an upset. But if Heartfire simply had an off day in the opener, they could come out guns blazing and put this one away quickly. While it would be exciting for We Are D3 to beat the defending champs, can we expect Heartfire to have two bad games in a row? We are unsure, but we are confident that more than 150.5 points will get scored in this game.
Pick: OVER 150.5 (-115)
- Travis Pulver
Stars of Storrs vs Happy Valley Hoopers
With a roster full of some of UConn’s finest, the Stars of Storrs had no trouble taking care of business in their opener, taking down Herkimer Originals 85-52. Terry Maston led the team with 18 points off the bench, followed by RJ Cole and Elijah Thomas with 15. It’s the team’s first year in the TBT, but with the talent they have assembled, they’ll be hard to beat. However, the Happy Valley Hoopers likely feel up to the task after winning their opener, 88-77, over Dubois Dream. All five starters scored in double figures, led by Samuel Sessoms with 20 points. Both teams had solid performances in their respective openers, but it is hard to go against a team of UConn alumni when they are playing, well—anyone. HVH will have to face a real defense this time; don’t count on them to come out ahead.
Pick: Stars of Storrs -7.5 (-115)
- Travis Pulver
The Ville vs Sideline Cancer
The Ville added a nine-point win against Bellarmine’s Uknighted in Game 1 of the Tournament. Montrezl Harrell scored 20 points, and David Johnson scored 17 to get past Uknighted. That said, Peyton Siva wasn’t aggressive, and other than David Johnson, nobody was a threat from three-point land in that game. The Louisville lineup looks fantastic on paper, but the tournament began with an underwhelming performance from The Ville. Conversely, Sideline Cancer scored 100 points and added a 100-77 win over Beniceball. Alonzo Verge scored 27 points but added ten of his 27 from the foul line. Still, Sideline Cancer will pretty much play with just a six-man rotation. I respect that type of aggressiveness. Sometimes, teams in these tournaments try to give everyone a chance to play. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but that entire six-man rotation can flat-out score. I’ll take my chances with Sideline Cancer.
Pick: Sideline Cancer +3.5 (-115)
- Jason Radowitz
Mass Street vs Florida TNT
Mass Street, a collection of Kansas alumni, pounded Ram Up, an assortment of Colorado State former players in Round 1, 81-68. Meanwhile, Florida TNT roughed up the L.A. Cheaters from the Drew League, 81-61. These are two teams entering play Monday with a ton of confidence after easy victories in the opener. Frank Mason III was outstanding for Mass, racking up a team-best 20 points and a game-high four assists. Dedric Lawson was also a beast on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds to go along with 14 points. Mass Street was up by as many as 24 before letting up a little, something it can’t do against TNT. Both of these teams were explosive on offense in the opener, each reaching 81 points apiece. The Over is the best play, and total players should feel confident going high.
Pick: OVER 147.5 (-115)
- Dan Dobish
Red Scare vs Carmen’s Crew
Carmen’s Crew, an Ohio State alumni team, is a staple of the TBT and they got off to a fabulous start in game one of this tournament. A massive 35-point victory saw them shoot well from all areas of the floor, dominate the rebounding battle and record an assist on 60% of their FGM. Although some of the faces on the roster have changed over the years, there is still a lot of talent and size on this squad. This matchup is interesting as they play the Dayton alumni team, Red Scare. Red Scare also played some of the most efficient offensive basketball we’ve seen all weekend. Much like Carmen’s Crew, they shot lights out. With a nearly 50% 3P% and assisting on 67% of their FGM, they made easy work of their first-round opponent. This will be a heated matchup between two talented teams. Dayton may have the physical home location advantage, but the state Ohio loves their Buckeyes. This should be quite the game to watch.
Pick: OVER 153.5 (-115)
- Ryan Rodeman
Zoo Crew vs Best Virginia
Zoo Crew, made up of former Pitt Panthers alumni, had the advantage of playing in the Steel City in Round 1. They barely survived against Million $ Worth of Game, winning 98-95 in a spirited affair. Meawnhile, Best Virginia, a collection of former Mountaineers, embarrassed Brotherly Love Pro Am Foundation, 94-69. Best Virginia had four players go for 12 or more points, with Wesley Harris leading the way with 15 points and three triples. Xavier Bledson came off the bench to stroke four threes, ending up with 12 points. BVA finished 48.7% from the field (37-of-76), and 35.9% (14-of-39) from downtown, while posting a plus-14 in rebounding. Zoo Crew was a ridiculous 59.4% (38-of-64) from the field, with Mike Young leading the way with 24 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting. All five starters had at least two 3-pointers, too. This should be a high-scoring affair.
Pick: OVER 155.5 (-115)
- Dan Dobish
Team Fredette vs Team DRC
Team Fredette is heading into Round 2 after a nail-bitter against Run DFW, 77-75. Team Fredette got to the foul line only 11 times and nailed just six foul shots in the entire game. They were also weak from downtown, shooting 9-for-26 from three. David Sloan, for example, went 1-for-8 from three and took 17 shots in total. Meanwhile, they’ll take on Team DRC, who just knocked off Team Diesel 85-79 in Round 1. Team DRC was good around the rim and inside the arc. However, they can’t drain anything from deep, shooting 5-for-18 from long range. Team DRC won this game because they finished 12-for-12 from the foul line. They watched as Team Diesel shot 41.4% from downtown and still escaped with the win. Let’s side with Team DRC in this one. They’ll be more effective around the rim and at the foul line.
Pick: Team DRC +2.5 (-115)
- Jason Radowitz
AfterShocks vs Team Colorado
The AfterShocks got off to a fast start in their Saturday matchup with Midtown Prestige. They outscored their opponent by 15 in the first frame, but managed to play them dead even throughout the rest of the game. What was especially discouraging was getting outrebounded by their counterparts. Team Colorado will look to be a spoiler here after they survived a gritty battle with Purple Reign. Colorado is led by former NBA 3 and D specialist, Andre Roberson. He had a rough time shooting the ball on Saturday, but finished with nine points and nine rebounds. He should be more lethal in this matchup and fill up the box score. Whether it was a case of playing with their food or that the gap between AfterShocks and their previous opponent not being as large as the final score indicated, this team is vulnerable to an upset. I’m happy to take the underdog Team Colorado to cover the spread.
Pick: Team Colorado +6.5 (-115)
- Ryan Rodeman