2024 The Basketball Tournament (TBT) Picks: Saturday (7/20)
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.
Today’s 2024 The Basketball Tournament (TBT) Picks
Here are our top picks for today’s 2024 TBT action.
We Are D3 vs Sweet Home Alabama
We are D3 is making their fifth appearance in TBT. They’ve yet to win a game in their previous tries but that experience may finally pay off. In their way is a second year entrant from Alabama, Sweet Home Alabama. Despite the name, We Are D3 actually has a solid amount of D1 talent. Players like Dimitrious Underwood, Josh Treadwell and Marcus Azor all spent time on D1 rosters. The team also boasts a decent mix of size which will help them in this matchup because Sweet Home Alabama has some good size too. The big difference in this evenly matched game should be that experience. I’ll be backing We Are D3 to finally breakthrough.
Pick: We Are D3 ML (-125)
- Ryan Rodeman
The Ville vs UKnighted
The Ville debuted in the TBT last season and earned two wins before getting bounced. Louisville was led by Russ Smith the previous season. Other Louisville greats like Montrezl Harrell, Peyton Siva, and David Johnson will join him this year. Last year's experience should help. Meanwhile, they'll face UKnighted, a team of Bellarmine alums, including players from the Division 2 National Championship team. While it'll be fun to watch a former championship team compete together again, Louisville's roster is much more stacked. Let's back The Ville here.
Pick: The Ville -12.5 (-110)
- Jason Radowitz
Dubois Dream vs Happy Valley Hoopers
Dubious Dream is the 4-seed in the matchup while Happy Valley Hoopers are the 5-seed and the wrong team is favored here. Dubious Dream is a well experienced team with already four games over the years, but they have yet to crack the win column. Happy Valley Hoopers haven’t been winners yet either but last year was their first season and this team is loaded with D1, power conference talent. Happy Valley also has size. John Harrar and Qudus Wahab provide ample length and paint presence for this team. This size coupled with a myriad of solid shooters, this could be one of the dark horse teams in this whole tournament. I like them to get on a roll starting Saturday.
Pick: Happy Valley Hoopers ML (+110)
- Ryan Rodeman
AfterShocks vs Midtown Prestige
These are two Wichita based teams playing in Wichita. We could very easily see one of the largest crowds in TBT history. AfterShocks has been one of the most successful teams in the history of this tournament, compiling 11 wins in their history. Much like their name suggests, this is a team of predominantly Wichita State alumni. The AfterShocks are expected to roll in this game, but they may be getting too much love. Midtown Prestige has put together a solid roster complete with a ton of size. They boast three players with 6’10” size or greater. This will bode well for them against an AfterShock roster that can’t come close to making that claim. Although they lack experience, the home-court advantage is moot, and Midtown Prestige should be able to keep this one tight.
Pick: Midtown Prestige +11.5 (-115)
- Ryan Rodeman
Heartfire vs Rise and Grind
Heartfire begins their title defense on Saturday against Rise and Grind. This Heartfire team is still loaded with talent. Former Golden State Warrior, Jordan Bell, is perhaps the most recognizable name on this roster but there is plenty of other former D1 talent littered throughout. Rise and Grind made their TBT debut last year but lost their lone matchup. The talent and experience gap should provide too much for this Rise and Grind team and I expect Heartfire to start their title defense off with a rousing victory.
Pick: Heartfire -13.5 (-115)
- Ryan Rodeman
Team Diesel vs Team DRC
Team Diesel is precisely what you think it is. Kyle Hines and Co. teamed up with Shaquille O'Neal to build a TBT roster this season. The team has already gone 11-5 all-time in the tournament and is probably one of the tournament’s most experienced rosters. They'll take on Team DRC, a team sponsored by NFL great Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie. They've earned third-round appearances in two separate events in 2018 and 2019 but haven't gotten over that hump. That said, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie will suit up. There's also not a single player on the team that attended a notable college basketball school. I'm with Team Diesel in this matchup.
Pick: Team Diesel -10.5 (-110)
- Jason Radowitz
Best Virginia vs Brotherly Love
Best Virginia, a team primarily of WVU alumni, has been a staple of the TBT for years and returns to the Tournament this season with their eyes set on making a deep run. To help them achieve that goal, they added a longtime staple in TBT, Marcus Keene, to the roster. He’ll be joined by Teyvon Meyers, the only player to return from last season, giving Best Virginia a solid tandem at guard. Brotherly Love, another TBT veteran, has been on hiatus but is ready to return to action this year. Led by head coach Stan Laws Jr., the roster has an intriguing collection of talent, i.e., Bijan Johnson (the only player that played in TBT last year) and Donte Green ( a longtime Big3 player). They’ve got a tough opener against Best Virginia, but if they can make it past them, they have the talent to make a nice run in the Tournament.
Pick: UNDER 145.5 (-115)
- Travis Pulver
Purple Reign vs Team Colorado
After having trouble hitting their shots vs. Arkansas last year, Team Colorado added some shooters to the roster, like Jacob Pullen (career scoring leader for K-State), along with a solid pair of bigs in Tariq Owens and Yor Anei. Team Colorado has an experienced squad, with several of last year’s starters returning for another run. They added some talent at the guard position, including a former NBA player, Andre Robertson, who should be a tremendous asset defensively. While former CU players make up most of the roster, three former Northern Colorado players were added this year, and 6′ 11″ center Michael Holyfield, a former Sam Houston State standout. Purple Reign coach Clen Stewart has said the team intends to try to run on Colorado. He feels his team will have an advantage if they can do so and push the ball down the court. We are not as confident and feel Colorado’s experience could win the day.
Pick: Colorado ML (+110)
- Travis Pulver
Red Scare vs DaGuys STL
Dayton's Red Scare has plenty of experience in the TBT. They're 9-5 all-time but were beaten in the first round last season. At least they'll have some of their best talent returning, between Scoochie Smith and Josh Cunningham. Other notable talents include Marcus Santos-Silva and Grant Basile. On the other hand, they'll take on DaGuys STL, which hasn't won the tournament in two years. Those guys are known for their YouTube channel of more than 300,000 subscribers, which includes guys from the St. Louis area. It's just a tough matchup against an experienced Red Scare team.
Pick: Red Scare -8.5 (-110)
- Jason Radowitz
Sideline Cancer vs VBL
Sideline Cancer has already played 26 games in the TBT. They've even raised enough to donate $500,000 since 2022 to research. One exciting name on the team includes Jack Gohlke, who made a name for himself in last year's tournament with insane three-point jumpers. As we know, he can put his team on his back no matter who he faces. Sideline Cancer will go up against a debut opponent in VBL. The VBL is the Venice Basketball League, and the team that won the one-day event made it to the TBT. That's this team. They're led by Trevon Duval, who played for Duke not too long ago. This VBL team has some chemistry heading into the tournament that other teams don't have. Therefore, I'd expect some good offense out of VBL. Therefore, I'd ride with the Over in this game.
Pick: OVER 142.5 (-113)
- Jason Radowitz
Stars of Storrs vs Herkimer Originals
We saw one No. 1 seed bumped off on the opening day of action. Don’t expect it to happen on Saturday in the Pittsburgh region, as this former collection of UConn greats takes on the Herkimer Originals. Head Coach Chris Smith has a team littered with talented former Huskies, including Ryan Boatright, Ryan Calcaterra and DeAndre Daniels. This team has a strong pedigree, and it will be up against ballers from the Northeast Division of the American Basketball Association, with mostly former lower level college players. Herkimer might have some decent chemistry, but the Stars of Storrs have the talent, and it will shine through, especially in the second half.
Pick: Stars of Storrs -11.5 (-110)
- Dan Dobish
Florida TNT vs LA Cheaters
The LA Cheaters emerge from the Drew League, a pro-am basketball league, in Los Angeles. Casper Ware Jr. plays for his dad, who is also GM and head coach. This team has made runs in the past, only to lose to Team Heartfire. Those teams are in different regions, so perhaps LA can make a deep run this season. Pe’Shon Howard is an addition, and the former G League player is a sharpshooter who joins Sedrick Barefield and Chris Copeland for some nice depth. Florida TNT has won nine games in this tournament, one of the best among teams in the history of this tournament. The experience of the Drew League team will shine through in what should be an entertaining battle.
Pick: LA Cheaters +5.5 (-110)
- Dan Dobish
Carmen’s Crew vs Purple Hearts
Purple Hearts were crushed in the opener last year; only two players from that roster are back, Dylan Causwell and Leonard Harper-Baker. Other than Sage Tolbert, none of the new additions have played in TBT. Hegel Austin is a scoring threat that opponents will have to respect. However, he is adept at finding teammates and distributing the ball when they do. Greg Foster is another capable scoring threat. They’ll face a team of primarily Ohio State alumni in Carmen’s Crew, a former TBT winner and one of the more successful teams in TBT history. Kalen Wesson is back; he was the team’s leading scorer last year. Desonta Bradford could play a pivotal role as the only point guard on the roster. However, while there is potential for the roster Purple Reign has compiled, it needs time to develop-which it will not get against Carmen’s Crew, a solid, veteran squad.
Pick: Carmen’s Crew -5 (-115)
- Travis Pulver
Run DFW vs Team Fredette
The Run DFW squad will also make its debut in the TBT. RJ Nembhard and Jeffrey Carroll lead them. They also have DJ Burns on the team, but it's not the same one from North Carolina State! That said, the depth might lack a bit, but Nembhard could easily be one of the best players in the TBT. Meanwhile, Team Fredette will give it another go in the TBT. They've gone 5-3 in the tournament but have some new faces this season. Notable names include Darius Johnson-Odom, Trevor Booker, and David Sloan. This team has been through some very tight games in the tournament, but I think they'll be bounced in the first round this year.
Pick: Run DFW +2.5 (-110)
- Jason Radowitz
Zoo Crew vs Million $ Worth of Game
Million $ Worth of Game is headed up by a handful of former Temple players, including Scootie Randall, but it’s former George Mason standout Erik Copes who is the engine who will get this car rolling. Anthony Lee has experience in this tournament, too, playing for the Commonwealth in 2023. However, Zoo Crew, a group of Pitt alumni, not only has more proven talent, but it will also have the home-court advantage. Jamel Artis, DeJuan Blair and Nelly Cummings look to lead this team into the second round, something last season’s assortment was unable to accomplish. The fact Zoo Crew is laying single digits is good news, and likely due to last season’s debacle. Take advantage, as this team should be able to win by double digits.
Pick: Zoo Crew -7.5 (-110)
- Dan Dobish
Mass Street vs Ram Up
After losing to the eventual champion last year, Mass Street retooled the roster, adding some legendary Kansas players like former Wooden Award winner Frank Mason III. Paired with last year’s star, Thomas Robinson, he gives Mass Street an incredible one-two punch. With guys like Billy Preston, Dedric Lawson, Silvio de Sousa, Lagerald Vick, and Malik Newman, Mass Street has enough talent and depth to go far-assuming they can get past Ram Up, a team primarily of former Colorado State players, in the opener. Larry Plummer is a TBT veteran who will challenge whoever is defending him. He is a solid three-point shooter (43.4%) who will look to TK Edogi to keep the offense moving. They have an exciting collection of talent but will probably need time to gel. Mass Street will not give them that time.
Pick: Mass Street -10.5 (-115)
- Travis Pulver