2024 The Basketball Tournament (TBT) Picks: Friday (7/19)
The Basketball Tournament is back for the 2024 season! While the NBA Summer League is wrapping up, 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: GAME.
Today’s 2024 The Basketball Tournament (TBT) Picks: GAME
Here are our top picks for today’s 2024 TBT action.
Team Arkansas vs Eberlein Drive
Team Arkansas made it into the Sweet 16 of the tournament last year. They'll return Hunter Mickelson, Adrio Bailey, and other additions that can propel them to the next level. Team Arkansas hasn't always succeeded in the tournament, sitting at 6-5 all-time. But they're certainly trending in the right direction. They'll compete against Eberlein Drive. Eberlein Drive is one of the two teams in the tournament since its inaugural tournament in 2014. That said, they haven't made it out of the first round in two consecutive seasons. Arkansas has the momentum heading into this first matchup.
Pick: Team Arkansas -5.5 (-110)
- Jason Radowitz
Team Gibson vs Dream 34
Team Gibson will look to advance to the second round in their second year in the TBT. Last season they lost to Boeheim’s Army but they’re hoping the experience in this tournament will be enough to make some noise. However, they will be looking to do it with a lack of size. Only one player on the roster is listed as 6’9″ or taller, Malik Anderson out of Lee College, but he’s also listed as a small forward. They’ll hope a combination of effort and athleticism will be enough to battle at the boards like their namesake and coach, Taj Gibson. Dream 34 will be competing for their third year with an all-time record of 1-2. They have some size that could give Team Gibson fits with 7’1″ center George Washington as well as an assortment of lengthy wings. College and NBA fans should recognize PJ Hairston from North Carolina and the Charlotte Hornets. His best days are behind him but he should still be able to get buckets. Dream 34 has an excellent shot to pull off the upset.
Pick: Dream 34 ML (+135)
- Ryan Rodeman
WoCo Showtime vs The Nawf
WoCo Showtime is a Wofford alumni team which means they’re going to be able to shoot the ball. With recognizable names like Storm Murphy and Fletcher Magee, they should be able to fill up the nets. They’ll take on The Nawf which is a team playing in their second tournament, comprised of players from north of Atlanta. This team is light on Division 1 basketball experience which is why we’re seeing WoCo Showtime as the heavy favorites. I’m not going to touch the spread though. These teams should have enough offensively to put up some points in this matchup so I’m targeting the over.
Pick: OVER 148.5 (-115)
- Ryan Rodeman
Program NYC for Autism vs Challenge ALS
Program NYC for Autism is one of the better teams in the short history of TBT, with a record of 9-3. While they have yet to win it all, they made it to the title game in their second season and hope to return this year. Once again, the talent to make another run is on the roster, i.e., Femi Olujobi, Delroy James, newcomer Ky Bowman, etc. Challenge ALS, like Program NYC, is a team with some history, having gone 11-5 in TBT play. The addition of longtime NBA star Darren Collision to the roster could push this talented squad into contender status. It is hard to say who will win between these two good squads.
Pick: OVER 147.5 (-115)
- Travis Pulver
Men of Mackey vs Fort Wayne Champs
Purdue's Men of Mackey will head into the TBT for another season. They're 4-4 all-time but will start their bracket in Indiana, which should only help. They'll have notable shooting guard Sasha Stefanovic, point guard David Jenkins, and many other professional players from overseas on the squad. However, they'll run into Fort Wayne Champs. The Fort Wayne Champs are 12-6 in the tournament all-time and are also one of the more experienced rosters in the TBT. They've been spoilers before and have the potential to be spoilers again this season. I'll back the Fort Wayne Champs at -1.5 (-110).
Pick: Fort Wayne Champs -1.5 (-110)
- Jason Radowitz
Brown Ballers vs Red Rose Thunder
Brown Ballers won their first game of the TBT last year in what was considered one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. This will be the team’s third appearance. They’re a team that has a lot of experience playing with each other and playing in this tournament. Their opponent, Red Rose Thunder is making their debut in this setting. However, this isn’t their first rodeo with tournament style play. Last year Red Rose Thunder were runners up in both the ECBL and Brotherly Love Pro Am. They have some recognizable names with guards Maurice Watson and Scottie Lewis. They’re a team that has experience playing in competition together, just not this one. I don’t think that plays a role here and I like Red Rose Thunder in this spot.
Pick: Red Rose Thunder ML (-110)
- Ryan Rodeman
Herd That vs Jackson TN Boom
Herd That has been one of the most recognizable teams in the TBT. The Marshall Alumni based team has compiled an all-time record of 8-4 and will look to capture a championship, with a real shot at it. They’ll take on an upstart Jackson TN Boom that lacks in Division 1 college basketball experience. The question here is whether Herd That may overlook their first round opponent. I don’t believe so. Herd That is the more talented and experienced team here. They should not only win, but win comfortably.
Pick: Herd That -10.5 (-115)
- Ryan Rodeman
The Enchantment vs Once a Bronco
Once a Bronco is the decisive underdog in this opening match, but it has some talent. Marcus Shaver and Max Rice are the cornerstones of the team. Shaver just got done playing a pro season in Czechia, racking up 17.0 points, 5.3 rebound and 4.6 assists per game. Abu Kigab gives OAB a solid presence in the middle, too. For The Enchantment, a bevy of former UNM players, they added Morris Udeze to the roster last week. Udeze gives the frontcourt some extra muscle. He just wrapped up up a season in Poland. UNM will be playing with heavy hearts, honoring UNM legends Greg Brown, Ruben Douglas and Drew Gordon, who each past away in recent months. Enchantment might win, but Shaver and Rice will keep the Broncos hanging around.
Pick: Once A Bronco +5.5 (-115)
- Dan Dobish
All Good Dawgs vs Fail Harder
The Butler Bulldogs have an alum team for the first time in the TBT. Lucky for the Bulldogs, they'll be in the Butler region with Shelvin Mack leading the way. Most of this team is playing professionally overseas. Ultimately, it means that they're all in shape heading into this tournament. On the other hand, Butler's alum team will duel Fail Harder, who is also debuting in the TBT this year, led by Kyle Guy. They've also got Robert Woodard II, who should make a solid impact. Those two were terrific college players. After all, both teams are playing in their home state and will likely feed off the fans and environment. Let's grab the Over 146.5.
Pick: Over 146.5 (-110)
- Jason Radowitz
Zip Em Up vs Takeover BC
Zip Em Up, a Xavier-based alumni team, kicks off its fourth year in the TBT tournament. It has never secured a regional title, but it enters this season as the No. 2 seed in the Cincinnati region. Trevon Bluiett, Adam Kunkel and Paul Scruggs are the backbone of a very solid and talented squad heading into this event. Bluiett was instrumental in helping Xavier reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2017, and he can fill up the stat sheet when his shot is on. Scruggs suffered a torn ACL in the NIT in 2022 for Xavier. He is fully healthy and ready to make noise, too. Meanwhile, Takeover BC is a mish-mash of players who recently played overseas, including Chris Crawford and Jervon Pressley who were in Tunisia. Eric Williams, a G League player, who played at Oregon, might be a key player at small forward. However, Zip Em Up should take it to BC in the opening matchup.
Pick: Zip Em Up -8.5 (-110)
- Dan Dobish
War Ready vs D2
The Auburn alum team, War Ready, hasn't really been war-ready in the past. This team has gone 1-4 all-time in the tournament and was bounced in the first round last season against The Ville. War Ready had many of the same players last season. In their defense, Louisville's team was good last year. They were dealt a challenging opening game. This year, they'll get D2 Waymakers. These guys won't be as difficult. The D2 Waymakers have the best former D2 players on the squad. Auburn has former D1 legends. In addition, the D2 Wayamkers lack depth. Therefore, we'll ride with War Ready at -2.5.
Pick: War Ready -2.5 (-110)
- Jason Radowitz
Bleed Green vs LA Ignite
Bleed Green, an assortment of former North Texas alumni, enters the Houston region as the top seed. Bleed Green advanced all the way to the championship before losing by five points to Heartfire. Each of the top four scorers from that runner-up team are back, looking to take one step further. Brandon Jefferson is a diminutive guard who can make things happen. He averaged 19.2 points and 3.2 assists in the TBT last season.Deng Geu gives the UNT side some size up front, while Kai Huntsberry, James Reese and Jordan Stevens give this team other options and nice depth. For LA Ignite, former UNC standout and NBA veteran Ty Lawson is a big addition, recently committing to an already impressive and deep squad which might be a bit underseeded. Take the Ignite catching double-digit points, as Lawson will keep them somewhat close.
Pick: LA Ignite +12.5 (-105)
- Dan Dobish
Assembly Ball vs The Cru
The Indiana alum team will make its debut this season in the TBT. They'll be led by Indiana legend Yogi Ferrell, among many other exciting Indiana names like Miller Kopp, Race Thompson, and Noah Vonleh. Looking at the roster, I'd expect Indiana to be one of the best teams in the TBT this year. That's not good for their opponent, The Cru. The Cru is comprised of the Valparaiso alum, who are 0-1 in the tournament after losing in their debut game in 2022. The team took a break last season but is back for revenge this year. They won't get it against Indiana's Assembly Ball.
Pick: Assembly Ball -10.5 (-110)
- Jason Radowitz
Nasty Nati vs AboutBillions
After making an impressive run last year, Nasty Nati (primarily Cincinnati alumni) is back and hosting the regional competition on their home court, Fifth Third Arena. With playmakers like Jarron Cumberland, Jacob Evans, and Jaylen Adams back, they will surely be one of the more formidable teams to beat. Expectations are low for their first opponent, AboutBillions, a team backed by professional boxer Adrien Broner. But the roster is talented with guys like Tyonte Robertson, Josh Selby, and Corey Manigault. However, they are an unproven team against one we know is solid.
Pick: Nasty Nati -12.5 (-110)
- Travis Pulver
La Familia vs 305 Ballers
This year is La Familia’s (Kentucky alumni) first time in the Tournament. But despite their inexperience, the talent on the roster is respected enough to warrant making them the No. 2 seed in the Lexington bracket. The roster is impressive, with guys like former NBA star Eric Bledsoe and Willey Cauley-Stein. It certainly doesn’t hurt that they’ll be playing on Kentucky’s home court, Rupp Arena. The 305 Ballers (formerly known as Athletics Miami) will try to win their first TBT game when they face La Familia tonight (0-2 all-time). Only two players from last year’s roster are back, but they will have a lot of kinks to work out as they try to get this new roster on the same page. Considering who they are going up against and where it may be wishful thinking to expect them to be competitive. The spread is big, but so is the talent disparity.
Pick: La Familia -11.5 (-110)
- Travis Pulver
Forever Coogs vs Austin’s Own
After losing in the first round last year, Austin’s Own, a group of former Texas basketball stars, is back for a second run in the Tournament. Coached by Reggie Freeman, a one-time UT legend, fans will love to see former players like Andrew Jones and Kerwin Roach back on the court, along with older players like Alexis Wangmene. They will have their hands full against the Forever Coogs, a University of Houston alumni group. The roster is stacked with a good combination of talent from recent teams like Fabian White Jr., DeJon Jarreau, Justin Gorham, and older guys like TaShawn Thomas and Devonta Pollard. Houston is making its debut in the Tournament this year. Without having seen these guys play, we’d lean toward the higher-seeded team, the Forever Coogs. But the spread is larger than we’d like for a Tournament opener. Since it is the first game, both teams will have kinks to work out, so don’t bank on a high-scoring game.
Pick: UNDER 147.5 (-115)
- Travis Pulver